A BLAENAU Gwent-based archaeology group is looking for new volunteers.

Jan Bailey, a community archaeologist specialising in youth engagement for the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, leads a small group of young people through different activities every Wednesday.

The youngsters, between 16 and 25, are volunteering through Gwirvol’s Millennium Volunteer scheme and give up their time to look at the diverse archaeology in their neighbourhood.

Some of the volunteers are soon to have given more than 50 hours of their time to the project.

Mrs Bailey, who used to be a teacher before training as an archaeologist, said: “Our aim is to get as many as we can to 200 hours of volunteer time by the end of June 2014. The project is small at the moment, but there is space for more young people to get involved.

“It is great fun, and it allows us to get out and about, deliver industry standard training to young people and help them into work. The local community also benefits from the project and there are long term gains for the young volunteers too.”

The project is open to anyone aged 16-25 living in Blaenau Gwent and will involve working on a range of different archaeological sites including Cefn Manmoel, Clydach Dingle, Ty Mawr in Nantyglo, one near Winchestown and a place near Blaentillery.

The group usually meets once a week and volunteer time is credited towards the Millenium Volunteer Award Programme.

The programme is supported by Gwirvol, the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, GAVO and Blaenau Gwent council.

Volunteers are given full training in archaeological site management, recording and maintenance of sites and learn skills including team building, leadership, self reliance and communication.

For more information on the programme, contact Jan Bailey on 01792 634236 or email janet@ggat.org.uk