YOUNG volunteers in Milford Haven will be given a well deserved reward thanks to a unique scheme launched in the town this week.

Funded by the Port of Milford Haven the ‘MY Time’ volunteering incentive scheme is aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds and provides a voucher in return for 20 hours volunteering.

The voucher can then be redeemed at Milford Haven businesses signed up to the initiative

‘MY Time’ is a volunteering incentive scheme aimed at 16-25 year olds and provides a voucher in return for 20 hours of volunteering. The vouchers can be redeemed at businesses in the town that are signed up to the initiative.

The scheme is being co-ordinated by Milford Haven Youth Centre, which is run jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Youth Service and Milford Youth Matters.

Youth worker Nick Hudd, said: “The aim of the project is to develop citizenship skills, improve the community and give those who take part the opportunity to gain a range of transferable skills useful for employment.”

Port of Milford Haven corporate affairs director Mark Andrews has welcomed the new project and hoped it would encourage more young people to get involved.

“We hope this initiative will encourage young people in Milford Haven to consider giving some of their spare time to help others. We are also keen to support small businesses in the town and so are extremely pleased to be able to sign local companies up to the scheme,” he added.

Sian Jones of Milford Youth Matters said that while a range of volunteering opportunities already existed in the community, the new venture would aim to coordinate such programmes and increase the amount of young people taking part.

The initiative has also been praised by Cllr David Pugh, cabinet member for economy, tourism and communities, who said it was a ‘win win’ initiative.

“Too often our young people get a bad press but the majority of them are enthusiastic, hard working and just want to be given a chance. Under this scheme while young people invest their time in the community, the community in turn invests in its young people,” he added.

To register with the scheme contact Nick Hudd at Milford Haven Youth Centre on 01646 697967 or MilfordYouthTime@yahoo.co.uk