A MONMOUTH teenager has won at the 2016 Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) event took place at Cardiff Castle and was hosted by WCVA Vice-President, Tom Jones OBE.

Winners in the six nomination categories of trustees, international volunteers, adults, groups, ‘green’ volunteers and young people (under 25 years) were presented with their awards by guest speaker, BBC news journalist Siân Lloyd. Imogen Peach-Mason from Monmouth was one of four winners in the Young Person category.

The teenager volunteers at Caerwent Inclusive Youth Club, working intensively with young people with complex needs to help integrate them into the group. To meet their needs, she is learning sign language and Makaton - a language programme using signs and symbols to help people to communicate.

Imogen “should be a role model for all young people thinking about volunteering”, according to Fred Weston from Monmouth’s Building Bridges Community Centre.

“Imogen spends hours upon hours in her own time researching ways of working with young people with disabilities and creating plans and resources to make her work more effective,” said Fred. “This is far above and beyond anything we would expect of a volunteer, and especially for someone of her age.

“Imogen commits 110 per cent to her volunteering work and displays all of the qualities and more than you would expect from a superb payed worker. She will make a fantastic member of staff for any team when she enters the labour market.

“She is a real ambassador for the commitment, competence and willingness that young volunteers have to offer, and should have the opportunity for her efforts to be recognised and celebrated. She should be a role model for all young people who are thinking about volunteering.’

Imogen said: “I am overwhelmed and extremely grateful that my voluntary work in the community has been recognised. I would like to thank Lucy Rooks and Fred Weston for their support and guidance.

“I have realised that helping vulnerable people has not only made a difference to their lives but also to my own, in terms of developing my self-esteem and confidence.

"Since I have been volunteering, I now feel that this is a career path I would like to follow. I would just like to express again my gratitude for this amazing opportunity.”

WCVA Chief Executive Ruth Marks said: “There is no doubt Wales is a better place thanks to these exceptional individuals who work so hard for the good of their communities and make a real difference.”