Vibe UK Celebrates Young Leader Lyla Magdy as Volunteer of the Year

Vibe UK is thrilled to announce that Lyla Magdy has been named our Volunteer of the Year, recognising her incredible commitment, kindness, and leadership within our SEND Saturday Club.

The award was presented during a surprise celebration held as part of her usual volunteering session. Vibe CEO Paul Oginsky and SEND Lead Youth Worker Joanne Swindell, who first invited Lyla to join the team, were both there to honour her achievements.

A True Vibe Success Story

Lyla first came to Vibe as a young participant in the Saturday Club. When she turned 18 and could no longer attend as a member, Joanne invited her to continue her journey as a young volunteer. Over the past year, Lyla has become a hugely valued part of the team, bringing warmth, patience, and her natural talent for supporting SEND young people. She also hopes to pursue a career as a Teaching Assistant — and her volunteering has become a key step toward that goal.

Making an Impact Beyond Vibe

In 2022, Lyla began an ambitious personal project: to teach basic sign language to 50 local companies and community organisations. She has now far surpassed this goal, with almost 200 organisations involved, helping to build a more accessible, inclusive community for Deaf and hard of hearing people.

What We Had to Say About Lyla

Paul Oginsky, CEO of Vibe UK, said:
“Everyone at Vibe UK is so proud of Lyla. She is an amazingly kind person who is happiest when she is contributing. Presenting her with this award is an absolute honour.”

Joanne Swindells, SEND Lead Youth Worker, added:

“When Lyla turned 18, we invited her to volunteer at the Saturday group. She has been supporting us for over a year and has done an incredible job. Lyla is an amazing young woman and a fantastic example of progression through Vibe.”

Celebrating Youth Leadership

Lyla’s story represents the heart of Vibe’s mission: supporting young people to develop confidence, skills, and opportunities that enable them to thrive, and to make a real difference in their communities.