Spotlight shines on County’s young people at annual awards

The Awards - a collaboration between Pembrokeshire Youth, The Children and Young People’s Rights Office and Children’s Services - took place on 22nd November at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College and celebrated the achievements of Pembrokeshire’s young people.

A huge well done to the young people from Pembrokeshire Youth Bank, who were involved in the whole process, from conception, to planning, to being involved on the night of the awards.

This was truly an event ‘For Young People, By Young People.’

Sponsorship from BAM Nuttall and Pure West Radio enabled the awards to go ahead this year and helped make it a memorable evening. 

The event saw some amazing achievements noted and celebrated and the winners and runners up are as follows:

Achieving positive change: The Edge Quiet Hour (winner), Craig Thompson and Samantha Barton (runners up).

Arts Award: Lleucu-Haf Thomas (winner), FADDS Youth Theatre and Tomos Roberts (runners up).

Eco Champion Award: Senedd Gwyrdd at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi (winner).

Education Award: Megan Thomas (winner), Carla Briskham (runner up).

Fundraising Award: Ellie Neville (winner), George Bromwich and Molly Venables (runners up).

Making a difference in the community: Eirlys Lloyd-Phillips (winner), Pembroke Family of Schools - Social Action Project, We Know... Our Journey Group, Neyland Youth Club Group (runners up).

Most inspiring story: Aaron Briskham (winner), Aimee Hawkings and Molly Evans (runners up).

Music Award: Carys Wood + Alice Thomas (winners), Amy Evans and Iestyn Barrellie (runners up).

Sport Award: Harley and Liam Franz (winners), Caiden Meacham and Ava Tyrie (runners up).

Voice Award: Tegan Skyrme (winner), Niamh Jones, Mya-Rose John (runners up).

Young Leader / Peer Mentoring Award: Daniella Loveridge / Chloe Harries (winners), Tomos Padel, Brogan Collins and The Point (runners up).

The final award of the night was the special ‘Spotlight Award’, given to a single young person for a particularly important contribution or achievement.  For 2024 this award was given to Freya Terry. 

Here’s Freya’s inspiring nomination:

Freya has struggled with her mental health since she was 11. She has had some great support from the Amethyst Project and then more recently adult mental health services. She has come out of that stronger and decided to do a voyage solo around the UK and Ireland to raise awareness of mental health in young people - attempting to inspire people to talk about their mental health so that they can get some support, rather than bottle it all up in fear and shame.

She has given talks to local Pembrokeshire youth groups, as well as talking to others as she makes her way around the country which have been really well received. She has gained so much confidence from this venture and has attracted many followers (www.she-sails.co.uk)

Boat problems left her lost at sea for many hours and then a freak wave that tossed her across the boat resulting in her getting concussion and having to call the coastguard. But this didn’t stop her, as soon as she recovered, she got going again and is making great progress.

Director of Education Steven Richards-Downes presented the overall Spotlight Award and said: “Everyone nominated in these Spotlight Awards are a real inspiration to their peers and the wider community. It was an honour to present the overall award for Freya, her story demonstrates a real resilience and commitment to give something back to society while overcoming her own struggles.”

Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Cllr Steve Alderman said: “It is fantastic to see our young people being celebrated for the exceptional things they have achieved and the difference they make in their communities.” 

Cabinet Member for Social Care & Safeguarding Cllr Tessa Hodgson added: “Sometimes young people are not given the credit they deserve and it is fantastic that this event is dedicated to celebrating the wonderful things they can achieve.”

The award ceremony was followed by refreshments and entertainment including an inflatable assault course, circus skills, photo booth as well as candyfloss and popcorn in the foyer of the college.

Special thanks also go to those who attended the event to present the young people with the awards as well as to those who took the time to nominate a young person or group.

Sincere thanks also to Dylan Harwood who performed one of his original songs; Charlie Royal, Polly Thomas, Josh Roberts and the rest of the team at Pembrokeshire College for hosting this event; Nadine Farmer, Bethany Roberts, Nicky Edwards and Angie Moore for their assistance in organising this event and to the young people from Pembrokeshire Youth Bank for their hard work.

More pictures are available on the Children and Young People's Rights Office Facebook page.