Academy of Success Celebration Evening 2023

Merthyr Tydfil’s Academy of Success held its awards ceremony on Friday 23 June 2023 at Merthyr Tydfil Football Club. The awards recognise the successes of young people, aged 11-25, and organisations across Merthyr Tydfil County Borough.

The Youth Service is committed to developing independent and active citizens and these awards are an excellent way to showcase young people’s achievements through participation in extra-curriculum activities.

The compares for the evening representing Merthyr Tydfil Borough Wide Youth Forum were Samee Fureed (former Youth Mayor); Lacey Philips (Youth Cabinet member); Luke Sharp (Vice Chair of MTBWYF) and Ethan Sharp (Youth Cabinet member). The atmosphere on the night was exciting, the proceedings run seamlessly, and the young people really enjoyed hosting the highly successful youth led event.

There were excellent performances from Holly Thomas and Chloe Gwynne (Youth Cabinet members). Holly played a piece on the Flute and Chloe sung and played the Ukulele, they enhanced the evenings atmosphere highlighting their individual talents and showing there is much to be celebrated of young people’s talents across the borough.

The event was opened by His Worship the Mayor, Malcom Colbran and the guest speaker was Tomos Moran the current District Youth Commissioner for the Mid Glamorgan scouting movement. Tomos spoke passionately about his journey and the barriers he has faced in life, encouraging others never to give up on their ambitions. 

These awards celebrate the success and achievements of our hard-working young people, and it is an occasion of pride being able to celebrate the Academy of Success at the start of Youth Work Week.

There were 11 awards in total and the winners were as follows:

1. Young Achiever of the Year – Logan Thomas Philips
2. Provision of the Year – Gellideg Youth Club
3. Volunteer of the Year 11-16 – Lauryn Nash
4. Volunteer of the Year 17-25 – Asha Coombs
5. Health and Emotional Wellbeing Award of the Year – Snakes ‘N’ Ladders – The Other Pandemic
6. Youth Sport Award of the Year – Lacey Harris
7. Community Project of the Award – Class 10H Pen Y Dre High School
8. Best Innovative Award of the Year – Equality and Diversity Group at Gellideg Youth Club
9. Outstanding digital award of the year – MTBWYF ‘Greener Hearts’ Project
10. Outstanding use of the Welsh Language Award of the Year – Grwp Y Ddraig Ysgol Pen Y Dre
11. Outstanding Volunteer in a Youth Work Setting – Cadence Lowe

Congratulations to all those young people nominated for an award this year, for your hard work and dedication.  Also, a special thank you to the following for supporting the event.

• Mayor Malcom Colbran
• The Leader Geraint Thomas
• Cabinet members
• Youth Mayor Katy Richards
• Deputy Youth Mayor Dylan Morgan Thomas
• District Youth Commissioner Tomos Moran
• Merthyr Tydfil Borough Wide Youth Cabinet
• Judging Panel
• Merthyr Tydfil Youth Services
• Safer Merthyr Tydfil