Community centre volunteers recognised for dedication

THEIR hard work across Swansea helps thousands of people enjoy activities from belly dancing to Zumba every week – and now our city's community centre volunteers have been recognised for their tireless commitment.

Lord Mayor Cllr Ioan Richard was among the dignitaries at a ceremony in the George Hall aimed at thanking volunteers from community centres across the city for their kindhearted service over the last year.

More than 120 volunteers representing 19 community centres were at the event.

Swansea Council owns a network of 32 community centres across the city and they are run on a day-to-day basis by voluntary management committees.

Volunteers look after everything from making bookings and opening up to generating income and locking up.

Morriston Memorial Hall and Townhill Community Centre were presented Visible Awards in recognition of the contribution they make to their communities. The award is issued in accordance with Community Matters guidelines as a mark of how accessible, valued and known a community centre is within its community.

Treboeth Community Centre became the first in Wales to be given the award three years ago.

Swansea Council also launched an induction manual for volunteers at the event to give anyone interested in volunteering all the information they will need.

Sue Reed, Swansea Council's Community Buildings Development Manager, said: "Community centres are at the heart of the communities they serve and they offer countless hours of fun and education for thousands of people across the city.

"But their success wouldn't be possible without the dedication of volunteers across the city who give up their own time to make them as popular as they are.

"The work of these volunteers often goes unnoticed but this annual event gives them the recognition they so thoroughly deserve.

"It's also especially pleasing that the volunteers who run Morriston Memorial Hall and Townhill Community Centre have been rewarded for their excellence."

Have a look at http://www.swansea.gov.uk/communitybuildings for more information or call Sue on 01792 635415.

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