PC Darren Millard at the Cardiff YMCA with young club members and Caroline Ryan, Youth & Community Provision Manager at Cardiff YMCA
Cardiff YMCA has received £750 from the South Wales Police Youth Trust to help support its youth club provision for young people.
More than 40 young people aged 14 to 25, including many from the Czech community, attend the weekly sessions in Roath.
Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Darren Millard said:
“This is a fantastic project that has made a real difference to the diverse community that is Plasnewydd. I have visited the youth club on numerous occasions and this has helped break down barriers between the police and the wider community.
“The project provides structure, inclusiveness and life skills to young people in a welcoming and informal setting.”
The youth club programme is designed to be participative, educational, empowering and expressive, it consists of one-to-one work, youth forum, music and drama workshops, pool, table tennis, healthy lifestyles, basketball and Duke of Edinburgh Awards all delivered using qualified youth workers.
Pc Millard added:
“Since this youth club has been running there has been a dramatic decrease in anti-social behaviour.”
The South Wales Police Youth Trust was established in 2009 as an independent grant-giving trust with the aim of improving the quality of life for young people who live and work in the South Wales Police area, by tackling crime and the fear of crime.
Caroline Ryan, Youth & Community Provision Manager for Cardiff YMCA said:
“Working in partnership with local organisations we decided to open our gym hall as a youth provision one night a week.
“The aims were to provide young people in the community a safe environment in which they could socialise, meet new people and take part in engaging activities. Also by providing a neutral venue for the youth provision we could encourage community cohesion among young people from different cultures.
“We hope that through music, sport and other activities we can play a part in tackling racism, breaking down barriers and improving relationships by offering a welcoming, fun and informal environment for young people to socialise.”
