Success across the board for Merthyr Tydfil at High Sheriff Youth Community Awards!

In April, Treharris Boys & Girls Club (TBGC), Greenfield School and Merthyr Tydfil’s Youth Cabinet all took home prizes at the 2025 Mid-Glamorgan High Sheriff Youth Community awards.

TBGC celebrated an incredible night of recognition and achievement after securing two honours at the awards.

The club’s Centenary Heritage Programme was awarded joint-second place in the group category, a prestigious acknowledgement of the youth-led heritage initiative that marked Treharris Boys and Girl’s Club 100th anniversary. The project culminated in the creation of a permanent community museum, curated with the involvement of over 125 local young people, and featuring oral histories, murals, replica monuments, and archival materials.

The celebrations continued with Calum Davies, 16, taking home the top award in the individual category. Calum, a long-standing club member, was recognised for his inspiring personal growth, leadership and community contributions. Overcoming significant personal challenges, Calum has become a mentor to younger members, led positive behaviour campaigns, and even secured funding to support the club’s Community Café, which served over 70 hot meals a week to local people.

Youth & Community Officer Noah Shepherd said: "We are unbelievably proud of our young people. The heritage programme showed just how passionate and capable they are, and Calum’s journey is a testament to resilience, responsibility and the power of youth work. These awards are not just wins for the club—they’re wins for the whole community."

Greenfield School pupils, Amelia Bates, Kian Rupert and Katie Balsom-Evans secured first prize in the group category for their exciting project called, “Helping Others”. The overall aim of their "Feed the Homeless" project at Greenfield School is to provide healthy, nutritious meals for individuals experiencing homelessness in the local community. All produce for these meals is funded through staff lunches on Fridays, which are prepared by the pupils at Greenfield School.

This initiative encourages students to develop cooking skills while raising awareness about homelessness and food insecurity. It also promotes a sense of empathy, community responsibility, and teamwork, as the school community comes together to make a meaningful impact on those in need.

Merthyr Tydfil’s Youth Cabinet were delighted to be successful recipients of a joint second place award, tied with Treharris Boys and Girls Club, following the successful launch of their “Lockdown Through Our Eyes” documentary.

Their documentary captured the unique perspectives of young people in Merthyr Tydfil as we reflect on the five-year anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown. Through personal stories and footage, the youth cabinet explored the impact these unprecedented times had on their lives, education and mental well-being. The completed documentary highlights the isolation felt as social interactions moved to digital platforms, the resilience developed in the face of uncertainty, and the creativity sparked in adapting to a “new normal”. It also sheds light on the collective experience of navigating a strange, unknown world, offering insights into how these challenges have shaped a generation.

This project became a beacon of empowerment, inspiring members of the Youth Cabinet to engage deeply in the creative process while overcoming personal challenges amid a global crisis. Through the efforts of all those involved, a valuable historical document was created, which will serve both as an educational tool for future generations and a reminder of the strength found in community and perseverance.