Highlights from the Torfaen Community & Volunteer Awards 2022

Last Years Winners

Young Volunteer

Morgan Fish

Adult Volunteer

Vicki Randall

Health Volunteers

Akin Agbaje & Mr Patrick Smith

Sports Volunteer/Group

Steve Malson & Jamie Leonard

Trustee of the Year

Tracey Blockwell

Business of the Year

High Street Fitness

Children & youth Group

Girl Guiding – Eastern Valley Division

Arts, Culture & Heritage

Evan Smith Blaenavon Town Band

Civic Award

Stuart Evans

Community Leader

Leanne Morgan

Environmental Award

Cwmbran South Allotment Association

Heart of the Community

Steve Malson & Craig Lear

Award Categories

About Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner

Jeff Cuthbert is the Police & Crime Commisioner for Gwent for The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent. As Police and Crime Commissioner it is his responsibility to represent the people of Gwent to ensure the service provided by the police is efficient and effective. Part of his role includes holding the Chief Constable to account for the delivery of local policing, setting and updating a police and crime plan for the residents of Gwent. Every year hehas to set the force budget and the local council tax policing precept, the voices and opinions of residents are very important to him. He regularly visit communities to understand feelings around policing and community safety. Find out more: @GwentPCC or visit www.gwent.pcc.police.uk where you can sign up for my weekly E Bulletin.

About ProSteel Engineering

Richard Selby is the Managing Director for Pro Steel Engineering Limited. Pro Steel Engineering is a structural steelwork specialist based in Pontypool providing steel fabrication and site services to a variety of sectors across the UK and internationally. www.prosteelengineering.co.uk @prosteeleng

About Pontypool Community Council

Councillor Gaynor James is the Leader of the Council for Pontypool Community Council. Pontypool Community Council (PCC) is the community council for the local area. Residents of Pontypool elect councillors to represent their views and to make decisions on behalf of all local people, to improve well-being for local people and communities in its area (and beyond). PCC provides events e.g. Party in the Park, the Christmas Cavalcade, Schools Eisteddfod etc. PCC provides services e.g. doggy and litter bins, benches, notice boards, play equipment and Christmas trees and lights. PCC pays for CCTV and public toilets. PCC gives grants to and sponsors local sports and other clubs and organisations including TVA.

About Uddr

David Smith is the Founder & CEO for Uddr – The local app. The uddr app was born to support the small and medium sized businesses at the very heart of our local communities. That’s why we created a simple, innovative, and cost-effective solution to help those local businesses get seen. As the fastest growing local service app in the UK, it’s clear that local people want to support local businesses. The uddr app provides 1000s of local trades & services all in one place – simply send an instant message for quotes and bookings. Visit us and see what we do at – www.uddr.co.uk

About Carlisle Brake & Friction

For decades, Carlisle Brake & Friction has developed innovative brake system and transmission friction solutions proven to increase the functional reliability, performance and safety for a diverse range of Off-Highway and industrial equipment applications. Carlisle Brake & Friction manufactures both original equipment and aftermarket brake and friction components. We offer a wide range of motion control solutions for industrial dry caliper brakes, hydraulic actuation and friction materials for wet brake, dry brake, clutch and transmission applications. With the combined strengths of advanced R&D, global manufacturing, and a dedicated staff of industry experts, Carlisle provides our customers access to highly engineered brake and transmission friction solutions. https://carlislecbf.com/

About Melin

Created in 2007, Melin Homes is a not-for-profit social landlord serving communities in Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Powys. We own and manage over 4,000 homes across these five local authorities in South-East Wales. Melin exists to create opportunities for people and communities to thrive. We have strong values and an excellent staff team, providing high quality social housing to those who need it. We support people within their homes and actively provide money, energy, and employment advice alongside support for both renting and buying properties. We are more than just property and our residents are at the centre of all that we do. We have a fresh and dynamic outlook and our intention is to make a positive difference in each and every one of our communities. Website – www.melinhomes.co.uk

About Torfaen Voluntary Alliance

Torfaen Voluntary Alliance supports the Third Sector in Torfaen by assisting organisations to secure funding, providing advice on charity law registration and constitutions, training for Third Sector groups and promoting volunteering. TVA is the umbrella organisation for the Third Sector in Torfaen. We provide and promote an accessible and accurate range of support services to enhance the development and effectiveness of the Third Sector.

About Coleg Gwent

Coleg Gwent are one of Wales’ largest top performing further education colleges with campuses in Newport, Cwmbran, Pontypool, Usk, Crosskeys and Ebbw Vale. With 17,000 students ranging from school leavers to mature students. A wide range of part-time and full-time academic and vocational courses are on offer at the college. We work in partnership and collaborate with a range of business, organisations and community groups. Our partnerships have helped make a real difference to the communities we serve. The networks have encouraged innovation and opened a wealth of opportunities to benefit not just learners, but businesses and the wider economy. www.coleggwent.ac.uk

About Blaenavon Forgings Ltd.

Forged Solutions Group provides high integrity forgings From aerospace and energy production to mining and off-highway vehicles, we have forged solutions for advanced manufacturing industries for more than 100 years. We manufacture shafts, rings, discs, asymmetric forgings, and extruded cylinders in a range of alloys. We have a global customer base for whom we are a trusted, high-quality supplier known for our unique forging capability and ingenuity. Our highly skilled teams provide comprehensive design-for-manufacturing assistance. Combined with advanced forging capabilities, co-located with heat treatment, machining, and a world-class testing lab, we provide an integrated solution; from billet to finished forging.

High Street Fitness

High Street Fitness were established as a not-for-profit, a charity based and operate in Pontypool, Wales 2019 and offer a range of services that include a state-of-the-art gym facility along with access to quality PTs and rehabilitation professionals. The downstairs area in the facility hosts an education room/functional fitness room, café area and other social business events. We also include mental health drop-in facilities and support will aim to train all our volunteers and PTs in Mental Health First Aid.

About Bron Afon

Bron Afon is a not-for-profit social enterprise, registered social landlord and community mutual organisation. We manage and maintain over 8,000 homes across Torfaen. At the heart of everything we do every day is our passion for delivering excellent high-quality services to our customers. Linked closely to this is our commitment to promoting and supporting vibrant, sustainable, safe, clean, and healthy communities that people feel proud to live in. Our ambition is to create flourishing communities in our part of Wales, where everyone has a quality home to live in and where people who need it are supported and encouraged.

About Mental Health First Aid Wales

MHFA Wales develop and deliver high quality, research and evidence based mental health training. We hold the license for Mental Health First Aid in Wales and directly train, license and support all instructors who deliver who deliver MHFA in Wales. As well as offering a number of training courses that support the well-being of our communities, we provide high quality independent advocacy and counselling at reduced prices. Our profits help to fund the the work of Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent Mind, ensuring that we are able to support our local community.

Other Sponsors WHO SUPPORTED THE AWARDS

Judges

Our judges had the difficult task of sifting through the nominations, assessing each application and deploying their negotiation skills in agreeing the finalists!

It wasn’t an easy job, but they did it and we thank you!

Dan Coles, Education Representative

Richard Selby, Business Representative

Sarah Simmonds, Health Representative

Owen Stacey, TVA Board Member

Paula Kennedy, Social Landlord Representative

Mathew Bartlett, Community Member

Elliot Ormond, Torfaen Member of Youth Parliament

Have a look at the video of last years awards

Downlaod a copy of our program here!

See below a few photo's of the evening!

Skip to content