A SWIMMING coach from Newport has been given award by the Prime Minister’s office, 10 Downing Street, because of her efforts to make a change in the community.

Angeline Tshiyane has won the daily Points of Light award, which recognises “outstanding” individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.

Ms Tshiyane, from the Bettws area of Newport, has taught a number of young people, all from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, to swim by providing each of them with 20 free training sessions.

A spokeswoman for the awards said: “According to recent figures from ‘Sport England’, more than half of Black Britons do not know how to swim, so Angeline’s targeted approach is helping to tackle this particular sporting issue.”

In a personal letter to Ms Tshiyane, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “By teaching children from black and minority ethnic backgrounds how to swim, you are tackling the root of a social issue while boosting the confidence of each of your students.

“You have created a pioneering and successful approach to increasing diversity and participation in the sport and have shown tremendous commitment in your volunteering in your local community of Newport.”

The Zimbabwean-born woman, who has previously been awarded community coach of the year by Wales Sports, said she was “really honoured” to have been chosen for such a “prestigious” award.

She said: “I am so thankful to God and so many people from my community who make this possible.

“Swimming and other forms of exercise is a passion that I have always wanted to share with people especially from the BME community.

“The many benefits of swimming lessons for instance are that children develop physical, cognitive and social skills quicker than those who don’t and for older folk like myself it’s longer life according to research.

“I encourage more people from BME background to be involved in sports participation and volunteering at all levels.”

To find out more about the awards, visit pointsoflight.gov.uk