College exams are finished, school-books are being stashed away for the summer break, and young people's thoughts turn to fun, friends and freedom. And, maybe helping others... For children's charity Barnardo's Cymru has chosen this moment to launch a county-wide recruitment campaign for young volunteers in Pembrokeshire. The Barnardo's V-Linx scheme is looking for volunteers to help disabled teenagers to have fun in their free-time, without dragging Mum or Dad along. Scheme co-ordinator Maxine Clark explained: "This is a peer mentoring scheme where a young volunteer aged between 16-24 is linked with a disabled teenager between the ages of 14 and 19. They might go to the cinema, go swimming or bowling, go shopping together or have a chat over a cup of coffee. "Really it is about giving disabled teenagers the chance to get out and about without their Mum or Dad, just like non disabled teens. It is all about having fun and enjoying one another's company." The scheme has been up and running for nearly a year now, but volunteer numbers are falling off as many young people are finishing up before moving on to university or college. Maxine said: "We need to hear from young people now so that by September we will have enough volunteers in place all around the county. It doesn't matter whether they live in Haverfordwest, St. David's, Tenby, Fishguard, or out in the country, we would love to hear from them." Maxine added that volunteering can also be a plus factor on any university application or CV for a job application, helping to make a young person stand out from the crowd. "I am urging young people throughout Pembrokeshire to think of doing something positive this summer. Contact us and inquire about volunteering on the V linx scheme - and help us give a disabled young person a better quality of life."
