Ceredigion Youth Bursary 2025 awarded
A young person from Ceredigion has benefitted from a cash bursary generously provided once again this year by West Wales Holiday Cottages. Ffion Marston, aged 20, was awarded the bursary to support her to reach a personal goal of developing a new mobile beauty business.
The Ceredigion Youth Bursary is in its eighth year, with local business West Wales Holiday Cottages offering £1,500 for young people aged between 11 and 25 to help them with their future aspirations. Since its inception, 19 young people have been supported by the Ceredigion Youth Bursary. This year, a total of 36 applications were received, ranging from social enterprises to project ideas, community events and training requests.
The successful applicant was chosen by Ceredigion Youth Forum (Panel Dewis) who carefully discussed and decided on the winner over the summer holidays. By utilising a scoring matrix, they decided to award the bursary to one successful candidate, for their innovative idea and the potential impact on their life and communities in Ceredigion.
Gwion Bowen, Senior Children and Young People’s Participation Officer said, “We are very grateful to West Wales Holiday Cottages for allowing us this opportunity once again this year. Like ourselves, West Wales Holiday Cottages recognise the value of investing in our young people, so that they can be supported to reach their potential. It is a great opportunity to work collaboratively with a local business. It was brilliant to see the quality and quantity of the applications received. This opportunity is also a good experience for our Youth Forum members who did very well in making some difficult decisions.”
The successful applicant was invited to a presentation meeting at West Wales Holiday Cottages office, Aberporth on 16 September 2025 and was presented with their cheque and an opportunity for their achievements to be celebrated.
Lisa Stopher, Managing Director at West Wales Holiday Cottages said, “West Wales Holiday Cottages is privileged to sponsor the Ceredigion Youth Bursary. We are very proud to celebrate the talent, dedication, and hard work of the young people in our community and provide them with the support they need to achieve their dreams. The winners of the Bursary represent the very best of Ceredigion’s future, and their passion, resilience, and commitment is truly inspiring.”
Councillor Wyn Thomas, Ceredigion Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills, added: “Congratulations to all the young people who submitted strong applications for this bursary. It was a pleasure to see the exciting aspirations and innovation of our young people and I’m glad they can be recognised with this fantastic bursary. Good luck to Ffion in the future.”
More information about next year’s bursary will be available in 2026.