An X-Factor finalist and a Radio One presenter joined jugglers, rappers and fashion models to salute the young people of Rathbone Cymru.

Pentyrch’s own Lucie Jones was the surprise guest at the annual Achievers Awards staged at Cardiff’s New Theatre. Attended by over 600 young people from Rathbone Cymru’s 11 centres, the ceremony (sponsored by Edexcel) was compered by BBC Radio 1’s Bethan Elfyn and broadcaster Amanda Protheroe-Thomas.

Lucie Jones

Organised to honour those young people who have made most progress through learning, the achievements of the winners made quite an impression on Lucie. She said: “I was really excited to be supporting one of Wales’ leading youth charities by performing at the Rathbone Cymru Achiever’s Awards. Rathbone does some great work with young people across Wales who are facing barriers and it is great to be able to mark the achievements that these young people have made at an event like this.’’

Amongst those Achievers was Newport trainee Sian Barton. “It was amazing to win” said Sian. “Since working with Rathbone, my confidence has really grown. I volunteer on a peer mentoring project at my school, Hartridge High School in Newport. I talk to students about loneliness and bullying. My confidence has really grown and I’ve got more friends.”

Richard Newton, Director, Rathbone Cymru added: “We were delighted to be able to celebrate the achievements of young people who have worked so hard over the past twelve months to overcome their own personal barriers. We hope that these awards will go someway to inspiring the other young people we seek to help and help detract to many of the negative messages we so often hear about young people.”

The event came in the week that the Welsh schools inspectorate Estyn published its report Tackling Child Poverty and Disadvantage in Schools. The study showed the important role that education can play in tackling disadvantage in Wales. It also acknowledged that the education sector cannot achieve this goal alone and that there needs to be more partnership working with social services, health, economic development and training providers such as Rathbone.

The winners were:

• Young Volunteer of the Year – Laura Cathrew, Merthyr Tydfil
• Partner Organisation of the Year - Port Talbot YMCA
• Pre-16 Learner of the Year - Sian Barton, Newport
• Employer of the Year – Asda, Aberdare
• Personal Goals Award - Alex Gifford, Barry
• PVT (Pre-Vocational Training) Learner of the Year - Laura Jones, Carmarthen
• NVQ Learner of the Year - Leisha José, Newport
• Rathbone Cymru Employee of the Year - Mandy Perriman, Merthyr Tydfil
• Rathbone Cymru Centre of the Year, Newport