Deborah's Story
Youth Led Grants Panel Member, PAVO
Even though I don’t get paid for volunteering, it makes me happy.’ Deborah, aged 17 shares why volunteering matters to her.
Deborah volunteers as part of the Youth Led Grants panel in Powys. This is her volunteering story… (so far)…
When I attended the Freshers event at Newtown College, I didn’t expect it to be the beginning of such a rewarding experience. I stopped to speak with the Volunteer Officer from PAVO. She introduced me to the Youth Led Grant Scheme, a project that immediately caught my interest. She explained they were looking for youth panel members to help assess grant applications from young people hoping to run projects that benefit other young people across Powys
The idea of helping support these youth led initiatives really spoke to me. It felt like a way I could give something back to my community while also empowering other young people. I decided to get involved.
Through this volunteering experience, I’ve become much more aware of the opportunities for young people in Powys. Being part of something bigger than myself gave me a sense of purpose, and I began to develop new skills. I learned how to assess applications fairly, communicate with others effectively, and make decisions that could positively impact my peers. Most importantly, I gained confidence, something I had been lacking before.
Volunteering made me feel good about myself. I felt proud knowing that the work I was doing helped youth led projects reach their funding goals, allowing more activities and support systems to be created for young people across Powys.
Before all this, I mostly kept to myself. But volunteering gave me the confidence to take another step forward. I put myself forward to become the student representative for my Health and Social Care course, and now, I am the student rep.
Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Taking that first step at the Freshers event led me down a path of personal growth, community involvement, and new opportunities. It showed me the power of putting yourself out there and getting involved.
Even though I don’t get paid for volunteering, it makes me happy. The experience I have gained is worth more than money.
Throughout the experience, the support was great. There was regular email communication, and whenever I had a question, I usually got a reply within the hour. Before the panel meeting, I also had an online session to learn more about the role and meet the person who would be leading the panel. That made everything feel more comfortable and familiar when it came time for the actual discussion.
Being a grants panel member wasn’t just about volunteering, it was about being heard, being part of a team, and making a difference. It opened my eyes to a new kind of opportunity and gave me the confidence to keep getting involved.
Deborah's Story
Er nad ydw i'n cael fy nhalu am wirfoddoli, mae'n fy ngwneud i'n hapus.’ Mae Deborah, 17 oed, yn rhannu pam mae gwirfoddoli'n bwysig iddi hi.
Mae Deborah yn gwirfoddoli fel rhan o banel Grantiau a Arweinir gan Ieuenctid ym Mhowys. Dyma ei stori wirfoddoli… (hyd yma)…
Pan fynychais y digwyddiad y Glas yng Ngholeg y Drenewydd, doeddwn i ddim yn disgwyl y byddai’n ddechrau ar brofiad mor werth chweil. Mi wnes i stopio i siarad gyda’r Swyddog Gwirfoddolwyr o PAVO. Fe’m cyflwynodd i Gynllun Grantiau a Arweinir gan Ieuenctid, prosiect a gipiodd fy niddordeb ar unwaith. Eglurodd ei bod yn chwilio am aelodau ifanc o’r panel i helpu asesu ceisiadau am grantiau gan bobl ifanc sy’n gobeithio cynnal prosiectau o fudd i bobl ifanc eraill ledled Powys.
Roedd y syniad o helpu i gefnogi’r mentrau ag arweinir gan ieuenctid yn apelio’n fawr ataf. Roedd yn teimlo fel ffordd y gallwn i roi rhywbeth yn ôl i’m cymuned tra’n grymuso pobl ifanc eraill ar yr un pryd. Mi benderfynais i gymryd rhan.
Trwy’r profiad gwirfoddoli yma, rwyf wedi dod yn llawer mwy ymwybodol o’r cyfleoedd sydd ar gael i bobl ifanc ym Mhowys. Roedd bod yn rhan o rywbeth mwy na fi fy hun yn rhoi ymdeimlad o bwrpas i mi, ac mi wnes i ddechrau datblygu sgiliau newydd. Dysgais sut i asesu ceisiadau yn deg, cyfathrebu’n effeithiol ag eraill, a gwneud penderfyniadau a allai gael effaith gadarnhaol ar fy nghymheiriaid. Yn bwysicaf oll, magais hyder — rhywbeth roeddwn i wedi bod yn brin ohono’n flaenorol.
Gwnaeth gwirfoddoli i mi deimlo’n dda amdanaf fy hun. Roeddwn yn teimlo’n falch o wybod bod y gwaith yr oeddwn yn ei wneud yn helpu prosiectau a arweinir gan ieuenctid i gyrraedd eu nodau ariannu, gan alluogi mwy o weithgareddau a systemau cymorth i gael eu creu ar gyfer pobl ifanc ledled Powys.
Cyn hyn i gyd, roeddwn i’n dueddol o gadw ataf fy hun. Ond rhoddodd gwirfoddoli’r hyder i mi gymryd cam arall ymlaen. Mi wnes i enwebu fy hun i fod yn gynrychiolydd myfyrwyr ar gyfer fy nghwrs Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol, ac erbyn hyn, fi yw’r cynrychiolydd myfyrwyr.
Wrth edrych yn ôl, rwy’n falch o ba mor bell rwyf wedi dod. Arweiniodd y cam cyntaf hwnnw, yn nigwyddiad y Glas, ar hyd llwybr o dwf personol, cyfranogiad cymunedol, a chyfleoedd newydd. Dangosodd i mi nerth rhoi eich hun ar waith ac ymwneud.
Er nad ydw i’n cael fy nhalu am wirfoddoli, mae’n fy ngwneud yn hapus. Mae’r profiad rwyf wedi’u hennill yn werth mwy nag arian.