Members of Keighley Asian Women and Children's Centre say that volunteering in the community has really broadened their horizons.

The girls, who range in age and backgrounds, have all relished taking part in the Millennium Volunteers Awards scheme and enthuse about how much they have learnt.

The centre co-ordinated the awards and was proud when the 18 volunteers were presented with their certificates in a special ceremony at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford.

Youth development worker at the Keighley centre Shabana Sarwar said: "We are very proud of their achievements. They have all learnt so much and are so assertive now.

"Whether they are in education or studying, they have all really broadened their experiences, and it's given them a taster of different careers and the opportunities that are out there."

Shasta Parveen, 17, said: "It is a great opportunity for young girls to get involved with community work.

"I have gained so much confidence through working on the children's summer scheme here, where we looked after children during the summer holidays.

"I also did some voluntary work at the Citizens Advice Bureau, which I loved.

"It was great to meet all kinds of new people and be able to help people."

The Millennium Volunteers Award requires participants to do 200 hours of voluntary work in the community.

Shabana Ditta, 21, also volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau for three months and enjoyed helping out at the centre.

She said: "It was good to help the older women here who have barriers with the language.

"I helped out with all sorts here -- from the exercise classes to the front office.

"It has really boosted my confidence to take a chance at some of the opportunities presented here."

Nargis Ismail, 18, wanted to volunteer her time but was concerned that she would not have the time, as she was studying for four A-levels.

"Last year I was doing my AS levels and was quite stressed about getting the grades to go on to finish my A-levels and get to university," she said.

"But I took part, helping out on the summer scheme, where we had to keep the children -- aged about eight to 13 -- occupied.

"I really enjoyed it and so did the children. We took them on trips and basically kept them out of trouble.

"The beauty of working here was although life is very hectic for me with studies, I could still enjoy this in my spare time."

Rubi Khatun, 19, said how much she valued the wide ethnic involvement at the centre.

She said: "I did my volunteering at the centre, helping with the activities. I am a Bengali and the centre really helped me because all kinds of people mix here, Bengalis and Pakistanis and other Asians. I have learnt a lot and made friends here so I'm really pleased I took part in the scheme."

Farah Hussain, 20, said that her volunteering had led to a career path. She said: "I volunteered at the centre's nursery and I loved it. I never felt like it was volunteering -- it felt like actual work and it was great. I went on to do an NVQ and now I do supply work at the crche.

"The centre is fantastic for the ethnic minority, it takes away barriers and really opens doors."

Shabnam Sarwar, 18, Maserat Hussain, 21, Nishaat U-Din, 24, and Kauser Ditta, 22, all said that they too had enjoyed taking part in the award scheme and said it had boosted their confidence as well as broadening their horizons.

Others who received their Millennium Volunteer Awards were Famida Hussain, Zahra Naqui, Samera Iqbal, Naila Hanif, Raishta Asif, Shaguftta Saddique, Saiqa Mus, Nazeem Iqbal and Salma Parveen.