Last Tuesday, April 17th, over 400 young people and their families, from across Ceredigion were invited to attend Ceredigion Youth Service’s Awards Ceremony. The evening was an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements and successes of all the young people who have engaged with Ceredigion Youth Service during the past year. This includes pupils from each Secondary School in Ceredigion, young people working with our outreach service and all the young people who attend our youth clubs and holiday provisions. There has been a wide variety of projects, activities and events held again this year, with well over 5,000 young people in attendance. These have been successful due to the commitment and enthusiasm shown by the young people from all over Ceredigion!

Examples of the accreditation prize giving presented on the evening include Millennium Volunteers certificates (Agored Cymru) and a variety of courses such as arts and crafts, sports, healthy lifestyles and citizenship. In addition to these, there was five special award categories, Campaign of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year, Special Achievement Award, Community Engagement Award and Youth Work Projects of the Year.

Catrin Miles the Cabinet Member for Learning Services, Flying Start and Team Around the Family opened the evening and the evening was then hosted by Geraint Lloyd, a presenter on BBC Radio Cymru. The guest speaker was Wil Jac Rees, Ceredigion’s Member of Youth Parliament and clips were shown on screen from Ben Lake MP and Elin Jones AS. The awards were presented by Ellen Ap Gwynn, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, Eifion Evans, Chief Executive of Ceredigion County Council and Lynford Thomas, Chairman of Ceredigion County Council.

Gethin Jones, Principal Youth Officer, Ceredigion Youth Service said, “Both Ceredigion Youth Service and the Council are extremely proud that over 400 young people have achieved awards and accreditation through the Youth Service during the past year. Youth Service provision is hugely valuable to young people’s development as they transition into adulthood. Our youth clubs, outreach provision, work within schools and holiday programs offer a variety of opportunities for young people to be a part of something that supports and interests them. The number of achievements this year is a reflection of our young people’s commitment and enthusiasm and it was a pleasure to welcome so many young people and their families to celebrate with us in Theatr Felinfach. Congratulations to you all!”

Catrin Miles, Cabinet Member for Learning Services, Flying Start and Team Around the Family said, “I wish to congratulate each individual who has received an award or recognition through the work of Ceredigion Youth Service over the past year. It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people and their families to celebrate at the Ceremony, and a token of the good work and the dedication of young people across the County. I wish each young person the very best for the future, and look forward to welcoming them once again to next year’s Awards Ceremony!”

17/04/2018