A YOUTH worker has been awarded for his inspirational work at Barry YMCA, after being nominated by the teenager whose life he helped get back on track following an accident three years ago.

In July 2012 Barry teenager James Rees' life was turned around when he accidentally fell from a cliff in Porthkerry suffering catastrophic injuries.

Fracturing his hip and losing his eye in the accident, the teenager - who had already been volunteering at Barry YMCA for around three years - became withdrawn and suffered a massive loss of morale.

James, now 18, said: "It was a really bad experience. I wasn't doing too good.

"I wasn't going out and I didn't really have any confidence."

Seeing this change in James, Barry YMCA's media co-ordinator Mike Smith took it upon himself to help build James back up and began taking him along to participate in projects.

Slowly James got his confidence back and now runs various projects at the YMCA, including organising film nights at the centre.

When he heard about the Welsh Government's Youth Excellence Awards - which asks for people to nominate a youth worker or project which has gone that extra mile - he put together a video submission to nominate Mike for the Your Choice Award.

Explaining his nomination James said: "Mike started to take me out to do filming, he helped me build myself back up.

"He's been a mentor and a friend, and not just to me. He does so much for the YMCA."

At the awards ceremony - held last week in Cardiff’s Mercure Holland House Hotel - a panel of young people selected Mike as the winner of the Your Choice award.

Mike said: "When James came back to the YMCA his confidence was absolutely shattered. We just wanted to get him back on his feet and boost his confidence so he can go on to do other things.

"I'm very, very pleased to have been given the award, for myself and on behalf of the YMCA.

"I'm absolutely delighted that the work we're doing is being acknowledged."

The Youth Work Excellence Awards was compered by comedian and broadcaster Tudur Owen and the awards presented by Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James.

“A youth worker's role is vital in supporting young people along on their journey into adult life," she said.

"Youth workers support and empower young people during this journey.

“The nominations for tonight’s awards reflect the wide range of work being done to support our young people and the commitment of youth workers up and down the country.”