Caerphilly Community Safety Officer Honored with National Award for Youth Work
Jamie Burgess, a dedicated community safety officer based in Caerphilly, has been presented with the prestigious Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) Outstanding Contribution Award. This recognition celebrates her exceptional leadership and lasting impact in strengthening early intervention and prevention initiatives for young people throughout Caerphilly County Borough.
Building Strong Partnerships to Combat Underage Drinking
CAPs are community-led partnerships that unite local police, councils, schools, retailers, and community groups. Their primary objective is to reduce underage alcohol consumption and the associated harms, thereby improving health and well-being while enhancing the wider community. As a community safety officer, Jamie has played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding CAP activity across the borough.
She has successfully launched partnerships in four distinct areas, fostering robust collaboration between schools, councils, police, retailers, and community organisations. Over the past year alone, CAP initiatives in Caerphilly have directly engaged more than 1,130 children and young people, with reach continuing to grow as projects expand.
Innovative Projects Promoting Safety and Wellbeing
Under Jamie's leadership, a wide array of successful initiatives has been delivered, promoting safety, wellbeing, and positive opportunities for young people. These include innovative projects such as the Little Cop Shop of Horrors crime prevention initiative, the Young Driver Initiative focusing on road safety, the Blackwood TOP Project tackling anti-social behaviour, and the popular Surveillance Santa campaign, which reinforces safety messages in communities during the festive period.
Sport and positive activity have also been central to these efforts. The Female Football Festival has emerged as a standout success, with participation more than doubling in its second year. Now involving 29 schools, this initiative helps girls build confidence and engage in sport while removing barriers to participation. Similarly, the Hyrox fitness initiative encourages young people to develop resilience and adopt healthier lifestyles.
National Recognition and Praise from Leaders
Jamie's leadership has not only transformed local delivery but has positioned Caerphilly as a leading example of innovative prevention work on a national scale. Programmes continue to expand and influence thousands more young people over time. She received her award at a ceremony held in the House of Commons.
Chris Evans MP commented: "I am absolutely honoured to award Jamie the Outstanding Contribution Award for her work across Caerphilly County Borough. Her efforts have a real, visible, and noticeable impact and have contributed to Caerphilly leading the way in South Wales on how to reduce underage drinking. Jamie has been selfless and collaborative in her approach and has continuously put young people in the community first."
Councillor Leonard from Caerphilly Borough Council added: "Jamie's award is thoroughly deserved and recognises the incredible impact she has had on young people across Caerphilly County Borough. Her leadership, dedication and ability to bring partners together have strengthened early intervention and prevention work in our communities. Through innovative and engaging projects, Jamie has helped create safer, healthier opportunities for thousands of young people. We are extremely proud to see her work recognised at a national level."
CAP director Kate Winstanley stated: "Jamie has made an extraordinary contribution to improving outcomes for young people across Caerphilly. Her determination to build strong partnerships, deliver innovative projects and ensure prevention work continues despite challenges has created lasting change in communities. Jamie's work shows the real impact that committed leadership and collaboration can have, making her a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award."
