The fourth Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards celebrating children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference was held recently.

The Awards - a collaboration between Pembrokeshire Youth, The Children and Young People’s Rights Office and Children’s Services - took place on November 22 at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College and celebrated the achievements of Pembrokeshire’s young people.

A huge well done to the young people from Pembrokeshire Youth Bank, who were involved in the whole process, from conception, to planning, to being involved on the night of the awards.

Spotlight awards Pembs
Director of Education Steven Richards-Downes presented the overall Spotlight Award and said: “Everyone nominated in these Spotlight Awards are a real inspiration to their peers and the wider community.” (Pic supplied)

The event saw some amazing achievements noted and celebrated and the winners and runners-up are as follows:

• Achieving positive change: The Edge Quiet Hour (winner), Craig Thompson and Samantha Barton (runners up).

• Arts Award: Lleucu-Haf Thomas (winner), FADDS Youth Theatre and Tomos Roberts (runners up).

• Eco Champion Award: Senedd Gwyrdd at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi (winner).

• Education Award: Megan Thomas (winner), Carla Briskham (runner up).

• Fundraising Award: Elly Neville (winner), George Bromwich and Molly Venables (runners up).

• Making a difference in the community: Eirlys Lloyd-Phillips (winner), Pembroke Family of Schools - Social Action Project, We Know...Our Journey Group, Neyland Youth Club Group (runners up).

• Most inspiring story: Aaron Briskham (winner), Aimee Hawkings and Molly Evans (runners up).

• Music Award: Carys Wood and Alice Thomas (winners), Amy Evans and Iestyn Barrellie (runners up).

• Sport Award: Harley and Liam Franz (winners), Caiden Meacham and Ava Tyrie (runners up).

• Voice Award: Tegan Skyrme (winner), Niamh Jones, Mya-Rose John (runners up).

• Young Leader/Peer Mentoring Award: Daniella Loveridge/Chloe Harries (winners), Tomos Padel, Brogan Collins and The Point (runners up).

The final award of the night was the special ‘Spotlight Award’, given to a single young person for a particularly important contribution or achievement.

For 2024 this award was given to Freya Terry, who has struggled with her mental health since she was 11. She has had some great support from the Amethyst Project and then more recently adult mental health services.

Fundraising Award: Elly Neville (winner), George Bromwich and Molly Venables (runners up).
Fundraising Award: Elly Neville (winner), George Bromwich and Molly Venables (runners up) (Pic supplied)

She has come out of that stronger and decided to do a voyage solo around the UK and Ireland to raise awareness of mental health in young people - attempting to inspire people to talk about their mental health so that they can get some support, rather than bottle it all up in fear and shame.

She has gained so much confidence from this venture and has attracted many followers at: www.she-sails.co.uk

Director of Education Steven Richards-Downes presented the overall Spotlight Award and said: “It was an honour to present the overall award for Freya, her story demonstrates a real resilience and commitment to give something back to society while overcoming her own struggles.”

Sincere thanks also go to Dylan Harwood who performed one of his original songs; Charlie Royal, Polly Thomas, Josh Roberts and the rest of the team at Pembrokeshire College for hosting this event; Nadine Farmer, Bethany Roberts, Nicky Edwards and Angie Moore for their assistance in organising this event and to the young people from Pembrokeshire Youth Bank for their hard work.