Maesteg Family Link teenager celebrated at Royal reception
December 5, 2011 No Comments
A teenager who receives support through Bridgend County Borough Council’s Family Link Short Break Scheme has been recognised for his achievements at a reception hosted by HRH The Princess Royal.
Jordan Davies aged 16 from Maesteg, was invited to Buckingham Palace to receive the prestigious Commandant-in-Chief award in honour of his involvement with the local branch of St John Ambulance and his efforts to overcome his disabilities.
He joined the organisation just 18 months ago, accompanied by his Family Link carer Diane Jenkins, and was nominated by the branch leader who felt his growing confidence, hard work and attitude made him a deserved recipient.
Bridgend County Borough Council’s Family Link scheme provides opportunities for children and young people with physical or learning disabilities to try new activities and enjoy new experiences by spending time with another family on a regular basis.
Jordan has benefited from fortnightly short breaks with Diane, her husband Leighton and 15-year-old son Liam since September 2004. Last year, Diane decided to take Jordan to St John Ambulance every Thursday evening to develop his skills and increase his independence.
In fact, Diane is so dedicated that she takes Jordan to St John Ambulance outside of her Family Link responsibilities and has even joined the organisation herself. Now they both enjoy participating in first aid duties at public events held around Bridgend.
At the invitation of his mother, Diane travelled to London with Jordan where he met Princess Anne, the Commandant-in-Chief of St John Ambulance Cadets, during an emotional day for the whole family. Diane said:
“We are all incredibly proud of Jordan. This is the third award that he has won in the past eight months, having been selected as Cadet of the Year at the Maesteg branch and Valleys to Coast Young Person of the Year recently. Jordan has even been invited back to Buckingham Palace for a summer garden party next year where he will meet the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, so he’s quite the ‘celebrity’!”
“Jordan has always wanted to work as a primary school teaching assistant and his role at St John Ambulance, both as a cadet and as a helper with the younger Badgers group, is giving him the boost to go ahead and achieve this goal. Without doubt, the organisation has given him the confidence to cope with the daily challenges associated with his learning difficulties, and for that we are extremely grateful.”
Jordan is already putting his newly found confidence to positive use; he is currently studying a childcare course at ITEC in Bridgend, is on a nine month work placement at the new Caerau Primary School and is about to start a two year course with Caerau Youth Works.
Councillor Alana Davies, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The Cabinet and council are very proud of Jordan’s achievements which demonstrate the world of difference that Family Link carers can make to a disabled young person’s life. It is clear from Jordan’s experience that the scheme is very successful in providing positive long-term relationships between the child, their family and the carers and their families. Not only do carers give children and young people the chance to take part in activities that most non-disabled children take for granted, they also give parents a flexible short break from the demands of caring.”
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