28.11.2011

Around 180 people attended a ceremony at the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot recently to celebrate achievements made by people with disabilities.

A night of celebration at the COASTAL awards. Left to Right- Mike Jones (Me) NPT COASTAL Manager, Antonio Fecci, Participant of the Year and Clive Prior, COASTAL Project, Regional Director.

 Families, professionals and employers came along to a ‘COASTAL’ event, a scheme set up to recognise people to have overcome significant barriers to gain employment.

The ‘COASTAL’ project is funded by a European grant and aims to promote training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities or young people leaving care who may be disadvantaged in the employment market.

Category winners include Tracey Kent Achiever of the Year, Lee Robert Ayres learner of the Year, Joanna Baylis Achiever of the Year, David Twomey Trainee of the Year, and Antonio Fecci Participant of the Year.

A special category for significant contributions to COASTAL was also presented and the winners of these awards were The Listen to Us Group, the Vocational Skills Centre Maintenance Team, Richard Brandy and Anthony Landeg.

The winners will represent Neath Port Talbot in the regional awards which will be held in April next year.

Council Leader Ali Thomas, said, “It  is inspiring to see what people can achieve with the right support.

“Congratulations to everyone that took part. I’m delighted to see the significant impact the COASTAL project is having in helping people achieve their aspirations and live more fulfilling lives.”

NOTE TO EDITORS
COASTAL is a jointly funded project between six local authorities and the European Social Fund namelySwansea, Neath Port Talbot,Carmarthen, Pembrokeshire, Bridgend and Ceredigion.

The project aims to help 8000 people across the region including 1100 in Neath Port Talbot.

See poster below for more details:

Many thanks to those of you who were able to attend the Photo Tales Exhibition Preview Night on Monday. It was fantastic to see the participants’ photographs on display in such a public space and to share this with relatives, friends and supporters.

 If you have been unable to see their work yet and you are in town, the exhibition is on in the White Room, the Arts Wing @ the Grand Theatre until 10^th February 2012.

For more information on the project visit www.photo-tales.co.uk 

or contact Lee Aspland,

Swansea Education Development Officer

Fforestfach Day Service

Abergelli Road

Fforestfach

Swansea

SA5 4DY

01792 563650

07952747776

The COASTAL Project is part funded by ESF under the 2007-2013 Convergence Programmes

WGCADA participants enjoying a team building barbecue on Swansea beach

Participants preparing lunch during the Ministerial visit to the Down2 Earth Project.

Members of the NEAT Team undertaking garden maintence duties.

 Participant working in the Baling Plant recycling furniture.

 Down2Earth Project showing activities undertaken throughout the day.