Rebecca Williams: Ceredigion County Council Support and Prevention Service

Rebecca is a professionally qualified youth worker and has been part of Ceredigion County Council Support and Prevention Service since 2013. She began her career as a part­ time sessional worker, which led to her gaining full time employment as an Outreach Youth Worker.

Rebecca currently coordinates and manages a wide range of activities and projects for young people 16+ which have focused on youth homelessness, LGBTQ+, employability, mental health and emotional wellbeing. Since the Covid­19 outbreak, Rebecca has adapted her approach, ensuring that young people do not feel isolated and are included in online activities, phone calls or door step visits depending on their needs. Determined to ensure she continued a safe face-to-face provision meant she consistently topped the charts in terms of mileage claims!

A highly valued team member, Rebecca is well liked and respected by her peers and the young people she supports. Many young people that she engages with have additional learning needs and health issues. Patient and empathetic, Rebecca connects with each individual, finding the best methods of engagement, while encouraging them to progress at their own pace.

The judging panel acknowledged that the impact that Rebecca has had on the service and on young people has been immense, in particular referencing the number of young people accessing support entered education, employment or training opportunities due to their engagement in outreach support – in spite of COVID-19.