Learners and volunteers from across the Vale were commended for their achievements in a recent awards evening held at Barry’s Art Central Gallery. 

The Vale Inspire Awards was organised by the Vale Adult Learning Network, which comprises of a range of partnership organisations, who provide learning and volunteering opportunities in the Vale. 

Each year, the network takes part in the Annual Adult Learners Week Festival, organised by Learning and Work Institute, to celebrate and promote learning. 

On Monday July 2, the Vale Inspire Awards welcomed learners and volunteers, who had been nominated by tutors, mentors and staff from Cardiff and Vale College, Communities4work, VOG Adult Learning, Flying Start and the Vale Learning centre. 

The learners had been participating in a wide range of learning and training including Computers, Counselling, Maths and English and in some cases the learners have overcome disabilities, confidence and anxiety and mental health issues to achieve their goals.  

Cabinet member for learning and skills Councillor Bob Penrose, who presented the awards on the evening, said: “Congratulations to the nominees winners of this year’s Inspire awards, your achievements are very well deserved.

“It is fantastic to see that that so many of the nominees have gone on to participate in further learning, or gained employment, or been able to improve their lives and support their families.” 

The overall winner of the Inspire award, was given to Beryl O ‘Brien, who began as a volunteer at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

She has progressed from learning on a taster course to completing a degree course, and hopes to graduate at the same time as her granddaughter. 

This year’s winners of the Gail Hughes Community project award, in memory of a former colleague who worked for the Vale of Glamorgan Community Development, was awarded to The Journeys project.. 

They host a Confidence and Self Esteem project at Palmerston Community learning centre.