FIVE young people from Ystradgynlais who have completed one hundred hours of volunteering each at their local youth club, have been presented with certificates for their efforts.

Nia Prichard, Georgina Griffin, Catrin Rees, Lowri Prichard, Meg Watkins (all 16-years-old) and 14-year-old Jasmine Paulett have been presented with their Millennium Volunteers Award by Ystradgynlais Youth Club.

The Millennium Volunteers is part of a UK-wide programme supporting young people to make a commitment to volunteer for 200 hours in their community. It encourages 14-25 year olds to build on existing skills and interests and their efforts are recognised through a 50 and 100 hour certificate and 200 hour Award of Excellence.

The group have achieved over 100 hours of voluntary hours for activities and projects that they have planned and thought of themselves.

The activities included: Open air show about Ystradgynlais and what it means to them; Fundraising activities for Cancer Research UK; Running a peer led project where they trained their peers to be able to deliver first aid if and when it’s required; Creating an app for young people.

They are also currently part of a Junior Youth Leaders Project and are producing a film on behalf of Dyfed-Powys Police as part of October’s Hate Crime Campaign.

All the activities the group led were done through the medium of Welsh, apart from the activity at Hay-on-Wye Youth Club.

Rhodri Jones, Powys County Council’s Welsh Language Area Youth Worker for South Powys, said: “This is a massive achievement and commitment by all five girls, who are now very close in completing almost 200 hours of volunteering.

“They have planned out and delivered some fantastic activities and they all fully deserve their Millennium Volunteers Award.”