Posted on: Friday 27 October 2023
Torfaen Play Service has seen a record-number of young people sign up to its Youth Volunteer Programme this year.
And thanks to the volunteers, the team has provided activities to more children and teenagers in Torfaen than ever before.
Now, the project has won the Torfaen Voluntary Alliance ‘Heart of the Community award’, which recognises groups of volunteers that make a positive impact in the local community.
The Youth Volunteer Programme has been running for 22 years and provides a supportive platform for young people of all abilities and social backgrounds to give up their free time to run community play settings.
More than 3000 young people have been empowered through the project, amounting in over 338,000 hours of volunteering delivered to support every child's right to play.
It’s given young people, like Tayla Hinwood, valuable experiences of working with children and young people, as well as giving them their first taste of the working environment.
She said: “I started volunteering with the Play Service 3 years ago just in holiday times and then committed to term time provisions. I recently obtained a position as a Play Apprentice with Torfaen Council, and this was down to all the volunteering experience I had gained “
The annual TVA Community Volunteer Awards ceremony highlights the contributions made by volunteers and community groups in Torfaen that show remarkable selflessness, devotion, and service.
Julian Davenne, Play Service Manager at Torfaen Council, said:
“The team and I are really pleased to win this award. We have built upon this project for many years and are always blown away by the numbers of young people who participate in the project each year. Without volunteers, we would not be able to provide such a wide portfolio of play provision. Likewise, without our volunteer project we would not be able to provide such high levels of integration for children and young people with additional needs.
“Our volunteers play a pivotal role in supporting our weekly play and respite sessions, after school clubs, half term and summer provisions.”
Torfaen Play are now gearing up to deliver a plethora of activities during the October half term period, at its Play and Wellbeing camps, Get Active Camps and respite sessions.
Aimi Morris, Operational Executive Officer at Torfaen Voluntary Alliance, said:
“TVA were honoured to sponsor this year’s Heart of the Community award, seeing Torfaen Play as deserving winners. Their work is a source of inspiration and a reminder of the positive change that individuals can bring about through their dedication and hard work.
“Volunteers are the driving force behind countless initiatives, and they remind us of the boundless potential within each of us to make a positive impact and create a brighter future for our community. Well done Torfaen Play!”