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FORMER HOMELESS MAN AND CHARITY WORKER NOMINATED FOR PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARD

AN EXTRA{ORDINARY} GALLERY HITS UP SOUTHAMPTON

AWARD WINNING VOLUNTEER SETS CHARITY CHALLENGE

A LOCAL business owner who used to be homeless, has reached the final stages of ITV’S Pride of Britain awards.

The 30-year-old from Marchwood, Southampton has beat thousands of nominees across the country, allowing him to be in the final eight for his charity work.

Denham Elvin was previously living on the streets, in hostels and social care for a number of years until he stumbled across the bike trade. This allowed him to gain the experience needed to start up his own business.

“Over the last 10/12 years I’ve kind of gone from being on the streets to running my own business, married, house and kids and just gone up from working hard” said Denham.

Elvin now runs DC Cycles on Empress Road in the Portswood area of Southampton and is known for his working with charities and youth project work.

“I ended up starting my own company and then it gave me the freedom to carry on doing a lot of the youth project work that I was doing and charity stuff that I was trying to do, so essentially by starting my own company it gave me the freedom to do the things that I’ve wanted to do and that’s essentially what I’ve been nominated for” told Denham.

The TSB Bank Community Partner Award is an award ‘for an individual or group of people who have worked together in partnership as a force for good in their local community’.

It has been running for seventeen consecutive years and is broadcasted in Britain on national television.

The ceremony is set to be attended by new Prime Minister Theresa May and Prince Charles alongside many more.

Solent Journalism wish him the best of luck.

Follow Denham here:

Website: http://www.dccycles.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DCcycles

THIS week The Caravan Gallery reached its final stop in it’s national Pride of Place Project Tour.

Southampton is the sixth venue to host extra{ordinary} art gallery tour, which has visited galleries and museums throughout 2015-2016.

The touring exhibition has over one hundred colour photographs made over the last fifteen years.

The theme of the photography gallery is to offer insight into everyday life in 21st century Britain.

Since 2000, Jan Williams and Chris Teasdale have travelled thousands of miles in their yellow caravan across Britain.

“extra{ordinary} is the result of a fifteen-year study of contemporary leisure, landscape, and lifestyle.”

“Many of our images tell stories and raise questions.”

Prior to arriving in Southampton, the gallery visited Sunderland, Bradford, Cardiff, Lancashire and Middlesbrough.

There was also a competition open to the public to submit their own photographs which capture the culture, heritage and the unique atmosphere of the city of Southampton.

The Southampton Pride of Place Project photography competition closed on October 25.

Winning entries will be added to the Pride of Place exhibition, while all eligible images will be featured on the Caravan Gallery’s Southampton Pride of Place blog.

Members of the public are also being encouraged to take their Southampton-themed arts, crafts, photos and memorabilia along to the Southampton Pride of Place exhibition, which is being held at 108 East Street between November 1 – December 1.

NATIONAL volunteering award winner, John Sennett has dedicated more than 1500 hours to volunteering.

His work has earned him awards such as the Vinspired Award and Community Games Volunteer Recognition Award.

After pulling out of an Athletics Scholarship in America due to an injury, John decided to start an apprenticeship in administration. He then decided this was not for him, and in December 2012 opted for the volunteering route. Diving in head first and from scratch, John used his love of sport to get involved.

At this time he decided to start a blog named ‘John’s Road to Volunteering.’ The content helps advise those who are thinking of volunteering and charities who need help with volunteer recruitment.

When asked the inspiration behind his blog John said, “When I first started volunteering I had no experience or qualifications at all. It was a way of inspiring the next generation.

“I ran out of time to volunteer as I was so busy, so my blog was a way of giving back to the community and advise them.

“2 days after starting the blog I was contacted by two very large charities, saying John we want your help.”

Now, for his 24th birthday, he has set himself the challenge of helping 100 charities.

“The past few months I have been working with Southampton Voluntary Services and I’ve helped around 20 charities so far. My aim is to help at least 100 charities, whether its UK based charities, community groups, or national charities.

“I could blog for them or volunteer somewhere for a day, week, or month. It’s just a case of me helping as many people as I can.”

John has not set a time limit on the challenge, saying his schedule is already so packed and he doesn’t want to have to turn down any opportunities.

“When I first started I didn’t know where it would take me. I just want to leave a legacy behind. Whenever I do pass I want to leave something behind. Blogging may not be around at that time, but I want people to still use my story as inspiration to volunteer.”

Having high hopes for the future, John is looking at starting YouTube and writing a book.

“I’ve recently started working with do-it.org who are the UK’s leading volunteer search engine, and I’ve guest blogged for them.”

After making a good impression, John was asked to be an advisor for the Winchester Community Games and Active Nation, and helped the organisers in volunteer recruitment. 

He has since dedicated time to volunteer at Friends of St James’ Park, Youth Options, and Pavilion on the Park in Eastleigh.

Highlights of John’s Journey include a job offer in china, attending an engagement event at the Olympic Park as a VIP, and meeting Olympic athlete Kelly Simm.

To read more about Johns journey, visit his blog at http://johnsroadtovolunteering.weebly.com/ .