Torfaen Play Service Manager Honoured with British Empire Medal
Julian Davenne, the dedicated Play Service Manager at Torfaen Council, has been awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM) by King Charles III. This honour recognises his more than three decades of unwavering commitment to creating enriching play opportunities for children and young people across the borough.
A Special Ceremony at Blenheim Road Community Primary School
The official presentation was conducted by the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, who serves as the King's Representative in the region. The ceremony took place during a bustling half-term play session organised by the council's Play Service, with children, families, and colleagues gathering to celebrate Julian's remarkable achievement.
Julian, who began his journey as a volunteer, expressed his gratitude, stating: "It's an absolute privilege to receive this honour. I have enjoyed the last 30 years working with and supporting children and young people in developing opportunities to enrich their lives. This award is not just about me, it is about the team and people around me, especially all the volunteers who give up their time to support the children in Torfaen over the years."
Transforming Play Services in Torfaen
Julian first assumed the role of Play Coordinator in 2002, when the council offered only a limited number of summer playschemes and after-school clubs. Under his leadership, the service has undergone a significant transformation, evolving into one of the leading play service models in the United Kingdom. The programme recently secured two awards at The Children & Young People Now Awards in London, highlighting its excellence and innovation.
From his inaugural summer, Julian embarked on a mission to expand the service into a comprehensive daily activity programme. He also established a youth volunteering project designed to provide young people with meaningful, community-based experiences. A key development was the creation of the Play and Inclusion model, which ensures tailored play support for children with additional needs, ranging from mild to complex medical conditions.
Recognition from Community Leaders
Brigadier Aitken praised Julian's contributions, remarking: "I have had the pleasure to visit Julian at his playschemes, and we cannot fail to be touched by his enthusiasm, by his passion, by his love in everything that he brings to bear in all his work. I'm so delighted that The King has seen to reward you in this way."
Councillor Anthony Hunt, Leader of Torfaen Council, added: "Julian has pioneered Torfaen Play Service and with his team he has made it a beacon of inclusivity, making a huge difference to children and young people in term time and school holidays. His can-do attitude shapes his approach to including children with additional needs and disabilities, and I am always bowled over when I hear from families what it means to them. His belief in volunteering was always ahead of its time, and he has given so much to the children who attend and to the young people who volunteer. We are lucky to have him and his team in Torfaen."
Impact and Expansion of Services
The Play and Inclusion model now supports more than 250 children every week, with over 100 children receiving assistance during weekends. Additionally, the service delivers approximately 300 hours of play support to schools each week, facilitating more than 100 play-related projects annually.
The youth volunteering project founded by Julian attracts over 200 young participants each year, many of whom utilise the programme as a stepping stone into further education, training, and future careers. Over a twelve-month period, play volunteers delivered more than 32,000 hours of activity, operating five days per week throughout the summer holidays. This initiative provided food and fun camps to more than 2,000 children and young people, underscoring the profound community impact of Julian's work.
