Vale volunteer Bethan wins national award

20 June 2012

After giving so much to her community in the Vale of Glamorgan where she lives, it was time for 16-year-old volunteer Bethan McAuley to enjoy some well-earned praise and a moment in the spotlight after winning a prestigious national award from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).

Described as a “prolific volunteer”, Bethan was a worthy winner in the young person category of the Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards 2012 on 12 June.

The awards were presented at Cardiff Castle by TV and radio personality Frank Hennessy. They were give to a total of 16 winners in the five nomination categories of individuals, young people (under 25 years), groups, ‘green’ volunteers and trustees. All nominees will also receive a certificate of high commendation.

"The continuing interest in the Volunteer of the Year Awards proves that no matter how hard times are, people are still willing to do what they can for others," said Graham Benfield OBE, Chief Executive of WCVA. "The awards scheme is the opportunity for us to repay their efforts by saying thank you on a national stage."

Bethan McAuley’s local youth club and the wider community in the Vale of Glamorgan would be a poorer place if it were not for the prolific volunteer.

After moving to Wick from Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan, Bethan found the transition from town to country life a challenge. A lack of services for young people in the area prompted her to become a mentor for others following in her footsteps, helping them to integrate.

She trained as a youth leader and volunteers at her local youth club, running events and activities. She is a young firefighter at the local fire station, a volunteer inspector of youth groups across the Vale, has qualified as a Young Leader, is Secretary/Treasurer of the Vale Youth Forum, and has completed more than 200 hours of volunteering as a Millennium Volunteer.

"Bethan is an outstanding role model for other young people, setting an excellent example for them to follow," said nominator Conway Hawkins, Senior Youth Worker at Wick Youth Club.

"At the youth club, she is an inspiration. Local youth leaders often joke that they don’t need to be there at all, as she can run it on her own. The club and the wider community would be a poorer place without her, and her many voluntary efforts are more than worthy of recognition."

Bethan said: "After two years of doing something I enjoy, winning the Volunteer of the Year Award is something I never thought would happen, and I'm so surprised that I have.

"I’m excited to see what the future holds for me and to carry on doing my little part of helping the youth of the Vale of Glamorgan, just as my local youth centre has helped me.

"Voluntary work has helped me, too. I advise anyone who is thinking of joining to go ahead as through it I've met so many new people who have helped me to where I am now."