South Wight Area Youth (SWAY) celebrated another year of achievements at Isle of Wight Pearl last month.
The evening was an occasion to thank supporters for their continued and generous backing that enables the youth work, activities and residential that SWAY offers to the young people of the South Wight. The evening included an awards ceremony at which the young people who had qualified on the Young Leaders course received their certificates and hoodies.
After the welcome drink everyone sat down to a meal of coq au vin followed by mousse. In between courses SWAY trustees outlined the achievements of the year and celebrated successes such as the 10 young leaders graduating from the course which is over 7 months and includes three residential weekends at Medina Valley Centre.
Benefactors were thanked for their ongoing support and contributions as without them the charity would not be able to provide either the family support or youth work.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Fund (HiWCF) helped to fund the awards evening for the young people to make it a real event for them.
The year’s achievements included 12 families being able to either receive support directly or being linked to other agencies, 50 young people enjoying a camping weekend, 80 young people accessing local youth work and activities, 39 booked on for holiday activities and 17 for residential weeks both on and off Island.
The tremendous work led by Youth Work Project Leader Andy Dorning was highlighted and other members of the team: Jennie Burke, Youth and Families worker; Assistant Youth Worker Andy Evans and gap year students Grace Long & Ellie Hodgeson were thanked by all present.
Chairman Peter Johnson said:
“It is great that the young people get acknowledged and valued for their achievements by our supporters as well as us and everyone enjoys themselves in a fun evening”.
SWAY took this opportunity to tell everyone that they are hoping to re-open the café at Chale before the summer holidays. This venture would have a twofold aim – to offer opportunities for work experience together with an income stream for the charity. Anyone wanting to be involved was encouraged to get in touch at www.southwightyouth.org.
The evening celebration was topped off with music from Slainte Va who guided those on the dance floor through the ceilidh dance moves and who also played the evening out. Everyone declared it a thoroughly enjoyable celebration of the year’s work and the charity raised approximately £2,200.
