Established in 2011, ACE (Active Citizen Experience) is JCI UK's volunteering programme which formally recognises the positive contribution that members make in their communities through active involvement in a diverse range of activities.

The scheme has three different accreditation levels - Bronze, Silver and Gold - with members being awarded certificates for the number of volunteer hours (between 10 and 30 hours) that they devote to local community projects. Whether you help out one day a week at a local food bank or are in training for a major event such as the London Marathon to raise funds for a charity close to your heart, all types of volunteering count and taking part is easy. All you have to do is log the number of hours you've completed on the JCI UK ACE project website. When you've reached each level of achievement you'll receive a certificate formally recognising that you've gone the extra distance to make a difference in your local community.

JCI Barnsley member Jenny Storey, winner of the 2013 Award for 'Most Outstanding Contribution to the Community' is a big advocate of the ACE scheme which played a key role in her success last year. Volunteering stints with Radio Barnsley and working with a local theatre group supporting disabled children were just some of the activities that helped Jenny build up her volunteer hours, gaining valuable work experience and transferable employment skills along the way.

Speaking about the ACE programme Jenny said "The great thing about ACE is it takes into account what you do both in and outside of JCI. It was an amazing feeling to have my hard work recognised by my Chamber and I felt honoured to be presented with my award in January for all my efforts last year."   If you are inspired by Jenny's story, enjoy volunteering and would like to work towards ACE accreditation, JCI Barnsley has a number of community projects coming up over the next few months which will give you the chance to get involved and accumulate those all-important volunteer hours.

The first official event in the Community calendar this year is supporting our friends at Barnsley Rockley Rotary Club who are hosting the District Disability Games at the Metrodome on Sunday 30th March 2014. JCI Barnsley will be providing a team of volunteers to help out on the day, assisting with the registration process and supporting the competitors as they strive to be the best in their sporting field across a wide range of activities. Last year's event attracted over 400 competitors from across the Yorkshire region competing in more than 10 different sports which gives you a sense of the profile and popularity of the Games! We are hoping to enlist as many members as possible to support this amazing celebration of triumph over adversity and achievement against the odds.

If you would like to join our team please contact JCI Barnsley's Community Director Emma Labedzki via the group Facebook page or alternatively send an e-mail message to emmalabedzki@hotmail.co.uk

Emma Labedzki
Community Director, JCI Barnsley