Page 21 - Cadet Review Spring 2022

NORTHALLERTON DETACHMENT CELEBRATES AWARDS
By Lt Brent Middleton-Armer and SSI Lewis Wilde
The High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Mrs Venetia Wrigley, visited Northallerton in order to gain an oversight of A Company’s activities during the Covid-19 restrictions, and to present awards to a number of the adult volunteers and senior cadets who had worked notably hard to 'keep the flame alive' during the suspension of face-to-face training.
One of the award-winners was Cadet Colour Sergeant Callum Crisp, who led by example during multiple online sports events and fitness challenges that were set at both a local and national level.
Another deserving recipient was Cadet Sergeant Megan Gotts who received recognition for her role in assisting her Detachment Commander in the effective delivery of online training. Megan was also commended for her service to the community by volunteering to help with the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
PI Martin Pringle and PI James Baker were also given awards for maintaining their commitment to the detachment's virtual training. This was at the same time as carrying on with their jobs as NHS key workers during a very demanding time.
The final award of the evening was the High Sheriff's Award presented to
Staff Sergeant Instructor (SSI) Lewis Wilde in recognition of his commitment
to A Company throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to being a senior member of the detachment staff at Northallerton, SSI Wilde is also A Company’s Public Relations Officer. During the pandemic, he often made the extra effort within the company to support the smooth running and promotion of various online activities and challenges. He also added variety to the training programme by arranging for a series of inspirational speakers to deliver talks to the cadets - one prime example being former soldier and 2-times ocean rowing world record holder, Duncan Roy.
After presenting the awards, the High Sheriff spent time talking to the cadets on parade. As a parting gift, she presented Major Michelle Goodwin, A Company's Officer Commanding (OC) with a delicious cake to share with her 'cadet family'.
Adult volunteers earn educational awards
By SSI Fiona McCallion
In October 2021, B Company held a successful Navigation Weekend at the Cadet Training Centre, Strensall. In addition to the 128 APC passes gained by the cadets, one group of Adult Volunteers had an additional cause for celebration when they received educational awards to mark successful completion of a mental health course.
Woodlesford Detachment Commander, AUO Kayla Oakey, is a Trainer Assessor at Kirklees College, and she encouraged her ACF colleagues to take advantage of a number of online distance-learning courses that she could deliver and assess free of charge. As a result, AUOs Charlotte Lowther and Darren Mulley undertook the 10-week Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health. (D Coy's AUO Michelle
Young and B Coy's SSI Charlie Henson also completed the course successfully but could not attend the presentation.)
In addition, Lt Walter Van Opstal gained the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems.
AUO Oakey is eager for even more adult volunteers to take advantage of these free courses.
"I’ve been working across my roles within Kirklees College and the ACF to assist volunteers to prepare for, and understand, potential mental health issues that may arise for young people, especially following the recent lockdown. The initial aim is to have an adult within each B Company detachment who holds a certificate in Understanding Mental Health."
She doesn't plan to stop there, however, as she is now in discussion with Kirklees College with the goal of opening up these courses to other adults within Yorkshire (N&W) ACF.
The High Sherriff and adult recipients
The High Sheriff and
C/Sgt Callum Crisp
The High Sheriff and
Sgt Megan Gotts
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