Thanks to an £18,000 grant in 2009, New Sandfields Aberavon is able to deliver yet another year of summer activities for young people in the area.
Aberavon in particular has, in the past suffered from high levels of anti-social behaviour. However the NPT Renewal Area Team and New Sandfields Aberavon have worked together since the iZone scheme in 2007 to make a massive reduction in ASB figures in the area.
This year they have joined forces with the Youth Service to launch summer iZones running every Thursday from 22nd July 11.00am until 5.00pm at the Hopkin Street Recreational Area in Aberavon. Each week will have different activities including velcro bunji, gladiator challenge, bucking bronco, pottery classes, face painting and circus skills. There will also be a sports day on August 19th for those wanting to take part in an entire day of sport.
In consultation with residents of Sandfields and Aberavon a successful youth club also takes place at St Mary’s Hall 7.00pm to 9.00pm near Port Talbot Bus Station. Tuesdays for 14-25 year olds and Thursdays for 11-13 year olds. The club has laptops with free internet access, pool tables, table tennis, Xbox and Nintendo Wii.
Council Leader Ali Thomas said “Through robust working partnerships and in consultation with our residents we have been able to provide the iZone initiative for another summer in the New Sandfields and Aberavon areas. By engaging our young people in activities of this nature it has helped to reduce anti-social behaviour by encouraging communities to come together.”
