We have been working with Foothold Cymru recently to set Carmarthenshire Youth Council up as a volunteering placement to recognise the contribution, time and hard work of our members. We are so proud of our members that have signed up to their Volunteens Projects. Volunteens is a platform connecting young people with meaningful volunteer opportunities, who believe that through volunteering young people can develop new life skills and give back to their communities.
Our members who are aged between 11 – 21 years old devote and contribute a lot of time and work to the participation and children’s rights work on a local, regional and national level and the Volunteens project helps us celebrate and recognise our volunteering hours and the time we have given. We want our members to consider the personal benefits of volunteering and the positive impact it can have on people’s lives such as promoting good mental health, fostering a feeling of belonging, engaging in community participation, and strengthening social involvement more generally.
Our Chairperson Toby, said “volunteering with CYC has played a monumental role in shaping me as a person. It has provided countless opportunities to build my confidence, such as delivering speeches, and has empowered me with vital knowledge, whether recognizing the signs and symptoms of domestic abuse to protect myself or learning how to amplify the voices of other young people.“
Toby also added that “The work we do in CYC is invaluable, not only in addressing key issues but also promoting the growth and development of young people as a whole. It is essential that our efforts are recognised, as they create lasting change in both the young people of CYC and the wider community.”
Our member Kaya said that “volunteering with the Youth Council has made me become a better person socially while speaking to others and mentally as I learn and take part in new opportunities that help me develop such as making a speech during AGM which helped me with my confidence throughout our group and also planning our events which helped me with having a creative mind.”
Volunteens is a way of recognising what we have done and shows our commitment to making sure children and young people have a voice in Carmarthenshire. There are so many reasons to volunteer, so here are just a few:
★ Volunteering is a fantastic way to support a cause that you care about and learn new things along the way
★ Build your experience and skills while growing your confidence
★ Make a difference to others
★ Meet people, have fun and be part of your community
★ Feel valued and make a difference
“We are so grateful to Foothold Cymru for creating a volunteering scheme that acknowledges the time, commitment and contribution given by Carmarthenshire’s young people. It is important we recognise this! Not only does volunteering open up a wealth of experiences, but it also allows young people to gain a variety of skills, such as team-work, that are beneficial in day-to-day life. I can’t express how much their volunteering is appreciated and valued by the service” explained Sarah Jones, Senior Participation and Children’s Rights Officer for Carmarthenshire County Council said
Kelly Tomlinson, Head of Operations at Foothold Cymru said “I genuinely love Volunteens and the young people I’ve been able to meet with along the way. The project takes a fresh look at volunteering based around young people’s thoughts and opinions. The site and many of it’s resources have been co-produced by young people too and highlight the huge potential our young people have and how much they have to give. It’s also been great building relationships with many local organisations who are keen to take these Volunteens on board. Thanks to funding from the WCVA, Welsh Government and Volunteering in Wales, Volunteens now covers Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys and I’m really excited to see the difference young people can make across Wales.”
There really is a volunteering opportunity for everyone and if you are 11 years old or older and interested in volunteering or you are already Volunteering in Carmarthenshire and want to know more about the Volunteens Project please visit the Volunteens website by clicking here or contact Kelly on kelly@footholdcymru.org.uk
