Young people from across north Powys have been celebrated for making a positive difference in their lives and in the community at an award’s ceremony.

Teenagers and young people were rewarded by The Game Change Project for their teamwork, enthusiasm, volunteering and entrepreneurship during an event surrounded by friends and family in Aberhafesp, near Newtown.

Project manager Sian Roberts said: “It was great to see young people progressing especially after the difficult year they have had.”

The non-profit organisation aims to boost confidence and wellbeing by getting people of all ages to take part in fun outdoor activities and learn new skills.

Sixteen-year-old Jenson Brown from Llandinam scooped the Entrepreneur of the Year award two years after joining the project’s first course. He has since set up his own successful grass cutting business which has gained contracts from big local names such as Bettws Hall.

“It’s been a really good thing. It’s fantastic,” Jenson said. “It’s definitely given me a confidence boost. I hadn’t done anything really before I came here but I’ve done a lot since in a short amount of time.”

Jenson’s mum Nicci said the project was ideal for by giving him confidence after years of struggling at school.

“Out of school he is a good worker. He has been working with my dad since he was three, laying slabs and tarmac. He just wasn’t made for school.

“The project was right up his street; there were diggers involved. I said it was ideal for him and the school couldn’t deny that. He signed up to the course which involved a day off school once a week for six weeks.

“Now he has a grass cutting business. He started doing neighbours and friends, then he bought a mower, then a sit-down mower, then a hedge cutter and now all of a sudden, there’s a van and a workshop!

“It’s mad when he had his first contract when he was 15 with Bettws Hall. He’s 15 and I’m sending his invoices in!”

The Game Change Project is “very grateful” to some local businesses for sponsoring the awards: Graham Grigg construction LTD, The Welsh Oak Frame Company and Rea Valley Tractors.

The project, which is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund in Wales, offers life skills programmes and volunteering opportunities to young people aged 13-24 years. For more details, get in touch with Sian at gamechangeproject@gmail.com or phone 07766 606276.