The Egypt Centre ‘Nubies’ (named after the ancient Egyptian god Anubis) were nominated for their fantastic work as gallery assistants, helping the public to experience ancient Egypt and the museums collection in a new and exciting way!  The young volunteers run the museum on a Saturday, without adult intervention bringing life and energy to the museum, and this is reflected again and again in the visitor’s experience.

The Diana Award congratulatory letter said that the assessors were really impressed and particularly thought that the nominees were an excellent role model and really did have that “Wow” factor that they were looking for. 

The Nubie programme has been running for over 13 years and in that time over 200 children have become child volunteers. The young people come from all over South and West Wales, some travelling over 50 miles to attend.  The programme is so popular there is a waiting list for places ! 

One of the reasons the museum was nominated was due to its unique nature in using young people of all backgrounds to run the museum.

Tom Clarke, age 11 from Llanelli, joined the Egypt Centre when he was 10 years old.  Tom joined to learn more about ancient Egypt and to share this information with other people.  Tom says “volunteering has made me more confident around other people.  I love working with the public and telling them about Egypt.”

Syd Howells, Volunteer Manager, says, “We are particularly proud of our young volunteers at the Egypt Centre and the way they contribute their time to the museum and the promotion of ancient Egypt to the wider community.  The Egypt Centre is run by our young volunteers on a Saturday and we feel this empowers them and sends out a positive message. The fact the Diana Award has recognised them is just reward for their commitment and enthusiasm.”

The Diana Award was founded in 1999 by the UK government to act as a lasting legacy to Diana Princess of Wales’ belief in the power of young people to change the world. The award encourages exceptional young people, like the Egypt centre volunteers, to build a better society for all!

The names of the Egypt Centre young “Nubies” are :

William Nedin, Thomas Clarke, Ryan Hassan, Cameron Fitzgerald, Mohammed Kabir, Tai Freeth, Owain Brookes, Daniel Williams, Emdad Rahman, Nayimur Rahman, Samiun Niah, Kibra Mohammed, Tudor Evans, Jacob Daly Syed Shah, Rhodri Protheroe-Jones, Hywel Proteroe-Jones, Jack Davies, Katherine Barrowman, Jerry Zhou, Samir Rabab, Amira Rabab, Megan Schlaedfer, Ankita Khanna, Rosheen Fatima, Katherine Stookton, Anais Phelps, Jayne Holly-Wait.

Picture: Tom is the blond lad bottom left hand corner of the picture. 

The Egypt Centre is open from Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and is free to the public. However over the Christmas/New Year period it will be closed from  22^nd December reopening on Wednesday 2^nd January 2013.

The Diana Award has given 36,000 young people from across the UK special recognition through their award schemes. The Award is presented to inspirational young people from all circumstances and sections of society, who are committed to taking social action, whether they work as volunteers, fundraisers, campaigners or carers or anyone who improves their community. Every Award Holder has demonstrated the qualities associated with the late Princess - compassion and a selfless commitment to improving the lives of others. For more information visit: http://diana-award.org.uk

The Egypt Centre, Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, situated at the Swansea University officially opened in 1998.  The museum is open Tuesday to Saturdays 10am-4.00pm and is free to the public.  The collection comprises over 4500 objects largely from the pharmacist Sir Henry Wellcome collection (1853-1936).  The Egyptian material largely covers the period c.100,000 B.C. - A.D. 500 in two galleries and includes jewellery dating from the time of Tutankhamun, weapons, a mummified crocodile and much, much more. There are lots of hands on activities for children and adults alike, the most popular of which is the dummy mummy. Come and try your hand at mummification! www.swansea.ac.uk/egypt