JAMIE Carne from Usk won a scholarship to attend the Best Buddies International Conference in Indiana from Tuesday 14th to Monday 20th July.

Director of Best Buddies Monmouthshire, Jamie made the trip to the USA to build links between Best Buddies UK and Best Buddies International.

Best Buddies International has been running for more than 25 years and helps people with disabilities to build friendships with more people in their local areas.

The UK arm was formed 12 months ago and is made up of different groups across the UK who have similar aims to Best Buddies International.

Monmouthshire’s Building Bridges Project is part of Best Buddies UK, and works with local schools to find students who want to help out as volunteers.

The project has already attracted more than 50 school students in the county who have got involved with project activities including camping, canoeing, sports, drama and dance.

Jamie won his scholarship to the conference by making a video about the work he has done with the Building Bridges Project.

The scholarship has paid for his flights to the conference and his accommodation and Jamie made a speech while there about how the Building Bridges Project will support the growth of the Best Buddies movement in Wales and the UK.

Talking about the benefits of the trip, Jamie said: “My plan is to create a wide reaching network of activities, gatherings and employment opportunities, with the help of volunteers who are vital to us as a charity, where organic relationships and friendship can develop and flourish.

“(The trip helped me gain) the skills needed to implement more inclusive communities and wider friendship networks for those with disability.

“I went to represent the ideals of Building Bridges on a disability-focused world stage, and to learn from the vast experience of Best Buddies International.”

The Building Bridges Project is run by the Bridges Community Centre in Monmouth, and is funded by Big Lottery Wales.

Contact Mike Logan at [email protected] or 07825 099130 for more information.