A young woman from Narberth is set to lead a charity expedition of international volunteers heading to the Balkans.

Anna Grace, 25, will head up a team of nine volunteers from charity World at Play on a mission to increase the availability of developmental sport and play activities to young people facing hardship.

Setting off from the charity's HQ in Barry, Anna will travel to Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia and Romania over three months visiting foster homes, youth clubs, schools and care centres.

Anna and her fellow volunteers will deliver activity programmes of developmental sport and play; train staff, volunteers and young service users in Sport Leaders UK training; and donate equipment to enable activities to continue between visits.

Anna said: "Having been on a World at Play expedition in 2006, I have experienced first-hand the impact that our visits have on children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I'm so excited about the trip. I want to make sure it is a great experience for the partners that we work with and the expedition team itself."

Established in 2003 by Cowbridge-born Mike Emery, World at Play works to inspire and develop young people through sport and play. The charity partners with organisations in Wales and abroad to organise activity programmes, sports leadership training and volunteering opportunities for young people from a variety of backgrounds and abilities, particularly those living in disadvantaged situations.

Ingo Steffgen, manager of World at Play, said: "Play, although a fairly basic concept, is fundamental to a child's development, but it is often forgotten in countries that have witnessed economic hardship and other social problems.

"Our vision is to ensure that every young person has access to sport, play and volunteering opportunities that enable them to build confidence, develop important life skills, such as communication, teamwork and self-awareness, and learn with and from others from different backgrounds and cultures.