group of people and a large trophy
The team at Fishponds Park in Sebastopol won the Site of the Year Award

Volunteers and play workers in Torfaen came together to celebrate running 37 play sites for children and young people across Torfaen through August.

a room packed with young people
The volunteers and play leaders packed out Victory Church

An awards ceremony was held in Victory Church to thank everyone who played a part to help around 2,500 have a fun and memorable summer.

Julian Davenne, Torfaen Council’s play service manager, told the packed room: “We are here to celebrate the summer and all the hard work and commitment you’ve put in.” He said 2022 was the busiest ever summer for the service. A video was played to the audience with clips and photos of children and the teams playing across all the sites. Julian said: “It’s hard to capture it all in a report. You can see (in the video) what it means to the children.”

Before starting to work at the sites the play workers and volunteers took part in training sessions including autism awareness, inclusive play and some took accredited qualifications.

Photos from the awards ceremony

group of people and certificates
Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, presented the Site of the Year Award to the team at Fishponds Park in Sebastopol
group of people with certificates
Cllr Mandy Owen, executive member for environment, presented the Cwmbran Stadium team with the Best Open Access Setting Awards
group of people with certificates
Cllr Jo Gauden, executive member for economy, skills & regeneration, presented the Cynthia Beynon Inclusion Award to various playworkers across all sites for outstanding commitment and support
group of people with certificates
Cllr Anthony Hunt with Volunteer of the Summer award winners from various sites for outstanding commitment
group of people with certificates
Workers from several sites won an award for Outstanding Playworker Award
group of people with certificates
Cllr Sue Morgan, executive member for resources, presented the Inclusive Play Setting to the teams at The Cockerel in Greenmeadow and St Dials Community Centre
group of people with certificates
New Inn Primary School won the Best Food and Fun Camp Award
two women with a certificate
The Catering and Cleaning Award was won by Samantha Wall and presented by Community Councillor Elizabeth Hunt, Griffithstown West Ward
group of people with certificates
Cllr Karl Gauden, Llanfrechfa & Ponthir Ward, presented the Best Site Supervisors award to the team based at Coed Eva Primary School
man and woman with a certificate
Luc Payne won the Personal and Professional Development award
group of people with certificates
Simon Rushton from Torfaen Council presented Longtime Achievement Awards to Ben Wolverson and Deon Groves