This summer The Basement Youth Information Network gave young people the chance to take part in a wide range of activities.
This year, this was made possible as The Basement Youth Information Network received funding from Safer Communities.
As a result a variety of young person – led activities were organised for young people to engage in which enabled them to develop and maintain positive relationships, learn new information and skills, and perhaps try something new.
The Basement Youth Information Network offered such involvement to young people in a variety of venues and communities throughout Caerphilly County Borough including Blackwood, Pontllanfraith, Crumlin, Pantside, Gilfach Fargoed and Penyrheol.
A variety of activities were provided to empower young people to develop soft and hard skills, including teamwork and problem solving: –
- DJ Skills workshops – teaching young people the fundamentals of DJ-ing.
- Street Dance Workshops – teaching young people basic dance moves.
- Pop-Art Workshops – young people learnt to paint their own pop-art inspired portrait.
- Hand-casting – young people participated in art utilising plaster to develop a unique, individualised piece of art.
- Sand Art – young people were inspired by various issues to create artwork using sand.
- Jewellery Making – young people creating their own unique items of jewellery.
- Wood craft – create models from wood.
- Porcelain Crafting – designing plates and ‘trinket’ boxes.
- Smoking Cessation – being educated in the dangerous substances cigarettes contain.
- Substance Misuse – legal and health implications of substance use and misuse.
- Outdoor Activities – In partnership with Ynys Hywel Activity Group Gorge Walking.
Workshops and activities were also offered through partnership with South Wales Fire service and Gwent Police, whereby young people had opportunity to form relationships and gain more understanding of the work of these key community agencies.
In addition, we worked with all young people to produce two pieces of artwork, these murals consist of collages of young peoples hands made into ‘Community Wreaths’ – the intention behind this and ALL work carried out by The Basement Team is to promote unity amongst young people regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and economic (dis)advantage.
With over 200 young people accessing the summer projects from across the borough you can imagine it has been a pretty successful summer with several young people acknowledging they had a greater respect not only for the community they were from but also for the people and organisations that are about to help their communities.
