PSALMS Awards Evening
On Friday evening local charity PSALMS packed out the Stroud Subscription Rooms for an evening showcasing and celebrating the young people they work with.
Over 60 awards were given to young people between the ages of 5 and 25 for achievements such as “contribution to the community”, “young leader” and the completion of various sports-related qualifications.
PSALMS is a local Christian charity and works with over 500 young people of all faiths and none through sports coaching, youth clubs, mentoring, schools work and activity camps, characterised by energy and fun.
Among those receiving certificates were the graduates from The Pulse Academy – a sports coaching academy that run my PSALMS last year, and ASDAN Sports and Fitness awards achieved by young people from the Whitminster Centre (part of Cotswold and Stroud Pupil Referral Service). PSALMS also works closely with The Door Youth Project and the guest speaker for the evening, Barry Voyce from The Door, spoke of the difference that positive affirmation can make in the lives of young people.
The evening was also an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of hundreds of volunteers who help make the work possible. Many of these come from PSALMS’ 28 partner churches from different denominations who work together to serve the young people.
The Bishop of Tewkesbury was in the audience and commented “It was immensely encouraging to attend the PSALMS celebration event in Stroud on Friday evening; to hear about the youth ministers who give of their time, energy & love unstintingly to work with children and young people in & around Stroud. It was very moving to hear of young people's lives enriched and transformed through the work of PSALMS. At a time when we hear so many negative reports about young people in our society, this was a heart-warming reminder that there is a very different picture of young people that can be drawn.”
Ian Marsh, Chairman of PSALMS and Lay Chairman of Stroud Deanery reflected, “It was a real encouragement to see so many different families, churches and local people turning up to celebrate some of the fantastic young people we have the privilege of working with.”