Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales West, Sioned Williams, has spoken of her “inspiring” meeting with Tomos Lloyd, Neath resident and ambassador of the #iwill campaign.
Topics discussed during the conversation included the promotion of local heritage sites like Neath Castle and Neath Abbey Ironworks, preservation efforts for the currently threatened Tennant Canal, the installation of bug hotels and other measures to improve local biodiversity, as well as opportunities for young people across the area.
Following the meeting, Sioned Williams said:
“It was a pleasure to meet with Tomos and hear both about the voluntary work he has been undertaking at the Neath Abbey Ironworks site and elsewhere, and about the changes he wants to deliver across our communities. His passion for our local biodiversity, our expansive local heritage, and activities for young people was inspiring, while his ideas for how change could be realised were both practical and achievable.
“I am more than happy to support Tomos in his ambitions and want to hear from other young people in Neath and across South Wales West – let me know what change do you want to see in your community and if there is anything that you’re already doing that you’d like to highlight.”
The #iwill campaign is a national initiative to support and empower young people to be active citizens and engage in social action. The #iwill ambassador scheme recognises young people who are already local leaders and want to enhance their capacity to deliver real change for their communities, providing them with advice and support.
Aside from volunteering with the Friends of Neath Abbey Iron Company for the last two years and contributing to the transformation of the site, Tomos assists a farmer to look after his farm and livestock, is a member of Neath Young Farmers, has learned land management skills and has been involved in schemes such as a creating bug hotels, pollinator areas and composting.
To find out more about the #iwill campaign and the ambassador scheme, visit the iwill website at www.iwill.org.uk.
To share your story with Sioned Williams about what change you’d like to see in your community , please get in touch with Sioned at [email protected].