Awards ceremony honours volunteers in Briton Ferry and Melin

An awards ceremony has taken place to celebrate and showcase the incredible impact of volunteers in Briton Ferry and Melin.

Known as the ‘Volunteer Star Awards’, the ceremony took place at Ysgol Carreg Hir, and was an opportunity to appreciate how volunteers help to make their communities better places to live.

In total, more than 25 awards were presented to individual volunteers and community groups. Volunteers were praised for their efforts in running and setting up activities such as a walking club, community shop, craft club, family support and an adult reading club.

One of the individual award winners was Joshua Hunter from the Melin Community Trust. Joshua won an award for his work as a ‘digital champion’ and was commended for how he supports job seekers who aren’t confident in using a computer.

There were also two special recognition awards presented to the FAN Community Alliance for their work to bring people together to improve lives, and to Lee and Noleen Jones for the way they brought the community together to build Briton Ferry Bridge of Remembrance memorial at Jersey Park.

The Briton Ferry Silver Band, who also won an award, provided the entertainment for the guests on the night. The band was praised for how they ‘help young people excel in music and uplift community spirit at many local events’.

Gaynor Richards, Director of Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service who gave a speech at the event, said:

“This is your community and as public services, we are privileged to work alongside you, helping to create the kind of community you would want to live in”.

The ceremony was a part of the Building Safe and Resilient Communities (BSRC) programme, which focuses on developing the strengths of a community. It aims to make the most of the skills and knowledge of individual residents, the support offered by community groups and the use of key community assets. The programme is a pilot for delivering an alternative approach to solving problems in the community instead of relying on traditional services provided by organisations such as the council and health services. It is considered that using key resources in the community will help to reduce the demand and costs placed on public sector organisations.

Andrew Jarrett, Director of Social Services, Health and Housing said:

 “I would like to extend my congratulations to everyone who received an award.”

 “It was inspiring to hear about the amazing work of the volunteers and community groups and how they are making a difference to so many people’s lives.

 “This programme is a great example of how public sector organisations can work alongside the community to help people to help themselves and to build safer and resilient communities.”

The BSRC programme has been endorsed by the Neath Port Talbot Public Service Board, which brings together leaders and decision makers from public sector organisations, and the voluntary and community sector. Members of the Board include Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service, Neath Port Talbot Council, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Natural Resources Wales, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Tai Tarian, NPTC Group of Colleges, South Wales Police and Public Health Wales.

The programme is being rolled out in the two pilot areas of Briton Ferry and Melin, and the Upper Amman and Swansea Valley (Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Lower Brynamman, Cwmllynfell and Rhiwfawr).

Here is a full list of all the winners:

Individuals

Ann Mayers, Briton Ferry Community Shop

Barry Cosker, NPTCVS Community Companions Scheme

Carol Mills, NPTCVS Community Companions Scheme

Charles Henry-Wood, Melin Community Trust

Chloe Oglesby, Neath and District Sea and Royal Marines Cadets

Colin Johns, Neath East Action Team, Melin Walkers

David Edwards, Read Easy

Emma Jones, NPTCVS Community Companions Scheme

Jackie Owen, Age Connects

Joshua Hoffman, Family Support Volunteer Project

Joshua Hunter, Melin Community Trust

Julian Austin, NPTCVS Community Companions

Lee Jones, Woodland Fairies

Mary Isaac, NPTCVS Family Support Project

Noleen Jones, Friends of Jersey Park, Vernon Place Community Hub, Art in the Community Group

Peggy Hoare-Davies, Briton Ferry Churches Together ‘Summer Pack Lunches Project’

Roger Williams, Age Connects Neath Port Talbot

Tina Rowlands, Ebenezer Baptist Church – Craft Classes

Groups

Briton Ferry Community Resource Centre

Briton Ferry Silver Band

FAN Community Alliance

Friends of Jersey Park

Giants Grave Boys and Girls Club

Neath and District Sea and Royal Marines Cadets

S.A.N (Supporting Additional Needs)

Vernon Place Community Hub

Willow Group Next Steps