The Millennium Centre is one of the world’s most iconic buildings, and a group of young people from Rumney had the opportunity to get a very close look at the home of Welsh arts and culture.
In a joint project between local neighbourhood officers and Voluntary Action Cardiff, many of them visited the Centre for the very first time, finding out about it’s construction, use of local building materials, getting a behind the scenes tour, and taking part in a drama workshop.
They even got to put their cultural skills to instant use in creating a radio story recording about the impact of bullying.
Local PCSO Gareth Sims said “It’s great to provide the youngsters with an opportunity to visit such a fascinating local building, and events like this help build up the relationship between the police and the younger members of our community.”
Development Officer Peter Griffiths who led the event, said “Youth engagement is so important in helping to tackle anti social behaviour, and a visit to the Millennium Centre is a new experience for the youngsters. It will help build their personal confidence and get them working positively together.”
Cain Sutton (aged 10) who took part, said “I have never been to the Centre before, and it’s such a great building. Perhaps one day I could be performing on the stage, which we got to see on the tour.”
Cain continues “It’s very big and we don’t have any buildings like this in Rumney, apart from maybe the police station where PCSO Kevin and PCSO Gareth work from.”
Another young person who took part is Lloyd Carr (aged 10), who is very well known to the local officers. In fact he came up with a problem busting idea to stop local bus stops being vandalised and designed a project working closely with the neighbourhood team. He said “I want to be a police officer one day and help enforce the law. I enjoy working with the local officers and helping to improve our local community.”
Local PCSO Kevin Fox said “Lloyd has really helped to solve a local problem, and is a brilliant example of a young person having a good idea and the determination to make a difference in the community. It’s very encouraging to get such support from young people, and we will continue to provide as many ways as possible to help them have a say on what’s important.”
Youth engagement is a vital part of the partnership approach to preventing and tackling anti social behaviour in Rumney and St Mellons, and reported incidents declined by 15% in 2010 compared to the previous year.
