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Cllr Nia Jenkins, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, said: “The Neath Port Talbot, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme provides an excellent opportunity to discover new interests, gain confidence, build new relationships, work as a team and much, much more.

“Award scheme winners gain an experience they will never forget, it’s something which will have an impact on them for the rest of their lives.”

The hosts for the packed awards evening were former Neath Port Talbot school pupils and Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award winners Aaron Williams (Ysgol Bae Baglan), who is training to become a doctor, Charlotte Britton (Llangatwg Comprehensive), currently in university studying interior architecture, Cian Gwilym (Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera), currently a teaching assistant and Nicole Newton, (Ysgol Dyffryn Aman), a prison officer.

The Gold awards were presented by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Captain Huw Williams MBE while the Silver Award presenters were Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt, council Chief Executive Karen Jones, Welsh Government Minister for Education and Welsh Language and Neath MS Jeremy Miles, Aberavon MS David Rees and the Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, Cllr Chris Williams.

The Bronze awards were presented by Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Director for Wales Stephanie Price, Deputy Youth Mayor for Neath Port Talbot, Gracie Radmore, Youth Mayor for Neath Port Talbot Maddie Pritchard, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Director of Education, Leisure & Lifelong Learning Andrew Thomas and council Head of Education Development Chris Millis, Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services Cllr Sian Harris,  Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years Cllr Nia Jenkins and council Employability Skills and Poverty Co-ordinator Angeline Spooner-Cleverly.

Many secondary schools throughout Neath Port Talbot offer the Bronze and Silver awards to their young people, where dedicated leaders guide them through.

The Gold award can be accessed through the Open Gold Centre, where the local award development officer and a team of volunteers act as guides for the various requirements of the award.

Any young person can achieve their Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Neath Port Talbot regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Starting from school Year nine at Bronze, progressing to Silver and then completing their Gold before reaching the age of twenty five.

For further information on the Neath Port Talbot Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Open Gold offer, please visit www.nptdofe.co.uk  or contact NPT Youth Service who coordinate the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for Neath Port Talbot.