The annual Play Service Volunteer Awards took place at Pontypool Active Living Centre to celebrate some of the achievements young people across Torfaen make to support every child’s right to play.
The evening was an opportunity for the Play Service staff and Councillors to say thank you to its network of volunteers and pay recognition to their hard work and dedication.
Torfaen Play supports an active network of over 200 volunteers and this year alone they have collectively achieved 48,380 of volunteering hours.
All volunteers received awards for Term Time Provisions, supporting the delivery of community play clubs, projects linked to schools and weekend respite.
Awards were also presented to volunteers who support the summer playschemes in Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil.
Volunteer of the year award
The winner of the prestigious ‘volunteer of the year’ award was Rhys Salkeld from Fairwater in Cwmbran, who volunteered for 600 hours over the last year alone, supporting children with disabilities to access play and recreational provision.
Julian Davenne, Play Service Manager, said that he was so proud of the Play services volunteer project as without the volunteers they could not provide inclusive play opportunities.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for Children and Young People said: “That was amazing, seeing so many young people giving up their free time to volunteer and support children and young people. This really is a great example of youth engagement.”