Sam has won two awards at The LCCC Mayor’s Community Awards 2025! He accessed our Inclusion Works service in Belfast and identified that he wanted to get work experience in an outdoor setting. After achieving qualifications and gaining new skills as a trainee he became a volunteer at Ravine, Knockbracken healthcare park. In testament to the level of his achievement and contribution Sam won Young Volunteer of the Year and the Overall Mayor's Choice Award at La Mon hotel. He is now employed one day per week as Park Ranger and continues to volunteer two days per week.

Sam's confidence has grown during his time at Cedar and has worked hard to achieve his two volunteer awards and his paid post at Ravine. Speaking about Sam's journey, David Walsh, Operations Director, The Advantage Foundation 

Sam’s journey with Ravine is the reason we do what we do. He arrived as a quiet trainee, facing real personal challenges and unsure of his place in the world. In those early days, he came just one day a week, but slowly and steadily, something changed - Sam found his spark and grew in confidence. He started attending independently, gained qualifications and completed his work experience programme, attending three days a week. What’s truly remarkable is the way Sam gives back. Since becoming one of our key regular volunteers, always the first to show up, ready to graft, rain or shine. And now, he’s come full circle. Today, Sam is a part-time member of the Ravine staff, employed as our Park Ranger, where he maintains our community space, helping staff and mentoring other trainees taking the same steps he once did. In March, Sam's commitment to volunteering was recognised at the LCCC Mayor’s Community Awards 2025, receiving Young Volunteer of the Year and the Overall Mayor's Choice Award, an incredible honour and achievement. I know I speak for every one of us at Ravine when I say how proud we are, not just of the awards, but of the person Sam is. His story is one of resilience, quiet leadership, and hope. It’s proof that with the right support, belief, and opportunities, young people can achieve incredible things. Sam is an example and inspiration to us all." - David Walsh, Operations Director, The Advantage Foundation

 Sam will continue to attend Ravine project as both a paid member of staff and as a long term volunteer.

Learn more about Inclusion Works here.