Members of the Flintshire Youth Forum (FYF) travelled to Llandrindod Wells recently to perform a thought provoking drama about illegal money lending to an audience of professionals attending a financial capability conference. The audience included officers of the Welsh Assembly Government, Police Officers from the Illegal Money Lending Unit and representatives from major financial institutions.
The play, written by and performed by members of the FYF with the help of Emyr John of Clwyd Theatr Cymru, and based on a request from the Wales and West Housing Association, delivered a hard hitting message about the dangers of young people borrowing money from illegal money lenders. The performers impressed a knowledgeable audience in how they conveyed the fear, misery and desperation of being in debt to the greed and ruthlessness
of the money lender.
A sum of £400, a reward for their work on the drama, was donated by the group to families who have suffered at the hands of loan sharks. A small fund will be established and the money distributed in the form of food vouchers by Police Officers as a gift from the young people of the
Flintshire Youth Forum.
Rob Edwards, County Youth and Community Officer for Flintshire County Council, said:
“This has been a fantastic piece of work by the young people of FYF. Delegates at the conference rated the FYF performance as the most effective way of getting such crucial messages out there; the impact of it was profound. This has been another example of how good Youth Work can
influence a wide range of agendas.”
“I am delighted at the way in which the play was received and of the efforts of all involved. Their appreciation and understanding of the real hardships experienced by people who owe money to loan sharks and the way this was conveyed is particularly impressive.
“The issue of iIllegal money lending to young people is serious and cannot be underestimated. It is vital that we help young people understand the dangers and how to avoid getting into such debt. This issue is high on the agenda for the FYF and it will continue to do all it can to get the message home to young people.”
Any young person between 11 years and 25 years who lives in Flintshire can join the Flintshire Youth Forum. Contact Alison Thomas on 01352 771 232 or 07824 694779 or visit www.youngflintshire.co.uk for further information.
