gower college swansea

Swans star Joe Allen has signed-up for a new scheme to inspire and reward young people.

The Wales midfielder has been named as an ambassador for the new High 5 Awards being launched by Swansea Council this week.

The awards will highlight the positive actions and amazing achievements of children and teenagers in Swansea and have been sponsored by Gower College Swansea.

Allen, who has had an outstanding debut season in the Premier League, is thrilled to be involved in the awards, having overcome the odds to become one of the country’s leading young footballers.

Despite being told as a schoolboy that he was too small to be a footballer, Allen starred for Swansea City’s youth team before signing as a professional footballer at the age of 17.

He said: “I would not be where I am now if it wasn’t for the belief and support people had for me when I was a young player. I hope that the award winners will inspire young people to believe in themselves and work hard to follow their dreams. “I hope they will also remind everyone that we should be proud of the young people in our communities.”

The idea for High 5 came out of Swansea Council’s consultation with young people over recognising the positive contribution they make and to counteract the negative publicity young people get nationwide.

Jack Straw, Chief Executive of Swansea Council, said: “Whether it’s through personal achievement, working for others or caring for someone, there are inspirational young people in all our communities who too often go unnoticed. Their amazing achievements are something we should be recognising and be proud of. I’d like to see these awards build young people’s self-confidence and send a clear message everyone can achieve their goal.”

Nick Bennett, Principal of Gower College Swansea, said: “It’s extremely important that young people are recognised and rewarded for the good work they carry out within their communities. We are very proud to sponsor the brand new High 5 Awards scheme and join in the celebration of these inspirational individuals.”

Nominations are now open for entries into the High 5 Awards. There are two age groups -  those aged up to 13 and 14 to 19-year-olds. Nominations can be received in five categories – Achiever, Caring, Community, Enterprise and Environment.

Any individual, organisation or school can nominate a young person for an award as along as the young person nominated is aged 19 and under and is either a resident or educated within the boundary of Swansea.

Each winner will receive a £50 prize, a tailor-made prize involving a personal activity or opportunity and they will be invited to the celebration awards evening along with their nominator and two guests.

Go to www.swansea.gov.uk/high5awards to download or fill in a form or pick one up in the Civic Centre, Swansea, and return it to High 5 Awards, Canoldre Centre, Jockey Street, Swansea SA1 1NS.

Further details area available on the website or e-mail queries to High5Awards@swansea.gov.uk

The closing date for all submissions is August  10, 2012.

The High 5 Awards are being organised by Swansea Council with sponsorship from Gower College Swansea and kindly supported by Swansea Sound and The Wave, Swansea City F.C and the Rotary Club.

Level 2 Art and Design students at Llwyn y Bryn recently took part in a two day workshop with artist Mary Doherty as part of the Reaching Wider programme.

The group explored printmaking, using soft cut vinyl and collograph printing, and experimented with materials and surfaces linking their research to design. They also produced prints of varying sizes and styles, which will enhance their coursework for their qualification.

"It was a creative and lively workshop which captured the students' imagination and gave them more experience of the medium," says tutor Marilyn Jones. 

The Reaching Wider programme enables students to work with artists in community settings.

BAFTA nominated This is England actor Johnny Harris dropped into Gower College Swansea this week to give students a talk on the pros and cons of self-employment.

The visit was organised by Enterprise, Media and Performing Arts students at the Gorseinon campus.

Johnny, who is appearing in the new blockbuster film Snow White and the Huntsman alongside Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart, held a workshop with students and was able to provide advice on a one-to-one basis.

"This event was a result of a successful collaboration between three departments within the college," says Enterprise event organiser Lucy Turtle. "Staff and students worked exceptionally well together to make this a very exciting occasion. It was great to meet Johnny and hear about his experiences in the acting industry." 

Thanks to Anthony Shadrach for the photograph