RCT Youth Celebration
Young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf have been recognised for their achievements throughout the year at the annual awards.
The Council’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service held its annual Celebration Event at the Coliseum Theatre in Aberdare, with special guest Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby player Ken Owens.
More than 400 people attended the Youth Celebration event, recognising and celebrating the achievements made by young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Cllr Christina Leyshon, Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “It is important that we recognise the sterling work that is carried out by the young people of Rhondda Cynon Taf on a regular basis.
“These young people contribute so much to society and have a wealth of talent among them. They are our future and it is fitting that we celebrate their successes.
“Our young people receive a wide range of support from the Council’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service and it was a pleasure to also welcome Louise Atkins to the event to present the service and its staff with the Silver Quality Mark Award for Youth Work – which was achieved last year.”
The 2018 category winners were as follows:
Outstanding Contribution to Health and Wellbeing
Rebecca Hughes
Outstanding Community Involvement Award
Ferndale Extended Provision
Outstanding Youth Work Project: Formal Education
Rhondda Sea Cadets
Outstanding Contribution Open Access Evening Provision
Bryn Celynnog Extended Provision
Outstanding Contribution to Music, Art and Culture
YEPS Ysgol Ty Coch Art Club
Outstanding Youth Work Project
Hen Felin Becoming Independent Project
Award For Outstanding Participation
RCT Anti Bullying and Mental Health Sub Groups
Youth Worker of the Year
Amy Bolderson
Shining Star Award
Ebony Smith
The celebration event was compared by young people and the costumes worn by welcoming staff were also made by young people. The live DJ for the evening was a young person and work created by young people through the Youth Engagement and Participation Service was showcased at the event, such as fashion design and photography.
There were performances on the night by soloist Dylan Lancelott-Barlow and Organised Kaos, a youth circus group based in South Wales. So a truly young person led event.
The guest inspirational speaker was Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby player Ken Owens.
Making his debut for the newly-formed Wales Under-20s in 2007, he was voted Scarlets’ Player of the Season in 2009/10 and made his full Welsh debut against Namibia in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
He also featured on four occasions in the Wales Grand Slam campaign of 2012, playing in all five games as Wales retained the Six Nations Championship in 2013 and going on to be named in the Wales 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Having gained 56 Wales caps to date, Ken Owens still plays his regional rugby for Scarlets.
