Youngsters rewarded (From Penarth Times)

Youngsters rewarded

A GROUP of Penarth youngsters has received a prestigious award from the Wales Youth Agency towards a community garden created during the summer holidays.

The project, by the Byrd Crescent Community Centre Youth Club, was chosen from 70 other groups nominated for a Youth Work in Wales Excellence Award.

Sue Lloyd, a youth worker at the Dinas Powys centre which also covers Penarth, said: "I enjoy working with the young people because it thrills me to see them achieve something. It is so rewarding to be involved with the positive side of youth work."

"The community garden is a positive example of how young people can demonstrate how they feel about their community and the lengths they are prepared to go to improve facilities for all members of it," said Cllr Hampton.

Youngsters involved in the community garden project at Penarth's Byrd Crescent Youth Club are pictured with Lorraine Barrett, AM for Cardiff South and Penarth, and Cllr Tony Hampton, the Vale's cabinet member for lifelong learning, education and training.

The award was presented by Jane Davidson AM, minister for education and lifelong learning, and youth worker Amy Stuart Torrie represented the young people during the presentation.

Amy said: "It was good to see the youth members working together with the public.

The project was the group's idea which snowballed and Sue Lloyd contacted the Prince's Trust to get the funds."

She added that she enjoyed involving all the youngsters in decisions and the group was a place where age did not matter.

The Vale of Glamorgan Youth Service and the Prince's Trust supported the young people in their work, and Cllr Hampton and Cardiff South and Penarth AM Lorraine Barrett have been keen supporters of the project.

Further information about the Byrd Crescent Community Centre Youth Club, and how to get involved, can be obtained from Sue Lloyd on 029 2051 3035.