Two volunteer mentors working with on the Access Enterprise project were named Merseyside Mentors of the Year 2011 at an award ceremony hosted by Sefton CVS as part of Volunteer Week. 

Noel Scull was named Young Mentor of the Year and James Speirs, Mentor of the Year.

The volunteer mentor role offers emotional support and encouragement and empowerment to overcome personal difficulties which may prevent individuals from pursuing their goal of self employment. It often includes challenging stigma and social isolation and positive community engagement.

Noel has been volunteering with the project since October 2009 and James was one of the first group of volunteers trained back in July 2009. 
When Noel first volunteered he was a full time student at Liverpool University, he achieved his degree and moved back to Preston into full time work but continued to volunteer with the project. Noel doesn’t see this level of commitment to the project or the person he has mentored as out of the ordinary saying ‘I knew the commitment I was making from the beginning and would never have let my mentee down’.
James has a background in accountancy, IT and post 16 teaching, which has proved very useful in the work he has done with his mentee. He has been working with a young lady for over 18 months providing practical and emotional support and she says ‘I come away from my meetings with James feeling like the world has been lifted off my shoulders. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am in my personal life and with my business dream he’s a god send’
They received their awards from the Mayor of Sefton, Paul Cummins, at an event at Bootle Town Hall in June which recognised the valuable role volunteers play in supporting people within their communities.
Caroline Thorpe, the project manager who nominated Noel and James for the awards, said: “I am delighted that their commitment and hard work has been recognised. Both Noel and James are dedicated volunteers who have really made a difference to the lives of the people they have worked with. 
“The volunteer mentoring has proved a real success and enhanced the work of project staff, achieving excellent outcomes for service users and volunteers alike. 
“Though it is great that their individual efforts have been recognised, these awards reflect the hard work carried out by the whole volunteer mentor team. I am so proud of all our mentors and can’t thank them enough for the time, commitment and energy they give to the organisation and beneficiaries they work with.”

Photo attached shows
James receiving his award from Mayor Paul Cummins and Noel receiving his award from Mayor Paul Cummins.