Meet the Swansea Youth Bank grant givers (and a couple of the workers...Leanne and Steph hiding in the line up)

Newest members: Ellie, Alys, Jack and Rhodri - Welcome to the panel. (Information to follow shortly).

Sophie G - July 2011 - continuing

I'm Sophie and I've been volunteering since July and I've really been enjoying it. I've met some lovely people and I feel I'm giving something back to my local community. In the long term I hope volunteering will improve my job prospects and confidence.

Katy - August 2011 - continuing - info to follow

Milly - July 2011 - continuing - info to follow

Ananya -August 2011 - continuing

Initially I joined Swansea Youth Bank to do some volunteering. However once I joined, I really enjoy it and enjoy being part of Swansea Youth Bank

Ananya with the tablecloth made for when out and about promoting Swansea Youth Bank

Jess - August 2011 - Continuing

Hello. I am Jessica and I joined Youth Bank to help other youths to be enthusiastic about helping and improving their communities. Also I wanted to gain confidence, skills at dealing with responsibility and life experiences. Being in youth bank gives me the opportunity to widen my knowledge of what youths are doing and also what they want to be able to do.

Joynal (Sept 2010 – continuing)

I would like to thank EYST for notifying me about Swansea Youth Bank, since then it has been a year when I first started volunteering in 2010. In my role as a youth banker I feel I have gained further experience and made improvements in many areas of my skills including working effectively as a team, communication skills and being decisive when funding a project. It has also improved my confidence. I have used my graphic designing skills to produce posters to advertise youth bank. I found Felicitie, our coordinator, really supportive along the way. Most of all I have enjoyed participating and working with members of youth bank as well as meeting a variety of people.

Theresa (Nov 2010 – continuing)

I'm Theresa, I first heard about youth bank through the Millennium Volunteers newsletter and decided to join because I thought it looked fun. It's a great thing to be part of because it helps me gain new skills and help others to do new things. I would definitely recommend it to people thinking of volunteering.

Tom (Sept 2008 – Sept 2011)

I joined youth bank back in September 2008. I joined with the author of this report, whom has been my volunteering partner since we were both 11. I remember the warm welcome I got. We both heard about youth bank through our schools Community Development Officer. Over the near three years I have been here I have had the opportunity to develop my CV through various methods, with a range of training, from committee skills to health and safety and we've so far racked up with 600 hours with Youth University. The past few years I have seen youth bankers come and go, each leaving their own stamp on the project. The past year has by far been the best yet. With a new Dragons Den pitching process and the development of the new look of Swansea Youth Bank. These past few years I have made friends that I'll keep for life. Some have gone onto achieve placements in universities, work for big companies and some have set up their own businesses. The youth bank experience has developed me in a working sense as well as a person. When I eventually move on I will look back at what I have done with a high positivity and sense of achievement.

Mal (Sept 2008 – Sept 2011)

I'm a man of many words and many talents, no really I am although I'm not sure which one. Youth Bank eh? Well what can I say? Its been a wild three years. Its had its up's and it's down's like a merry-go-round. Every memory and experience I take away from youth bank are things that I will put into practice in everyday life. Youth bank has developed me as person, maybe a little more; its debatable. I've spent 600+ hours volunteering along with Tom with a variety of groups. There are sometimes that I regret doing volunteering work and then there are the times that I wouldn't mind doing for longer.

Abdal (September 2010 – Continuing)

My name is Abdal and its been a year since I've joined youth bank. I'm the youngest member in youth bank. I learnt how to work in a team and as well as that youth bank developed me into a more confident person.