Swansea has secured £200,000 funding to help develop the creative skills of young people in the city and help them into further education, employment or training after leaving school.
The ground-breaking Reach the Heights initiative is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the Arts Council for Wales and aims to reduce the number of young people aged between 11 and 19 who are NEET (Not in education, employment or training) or at risk of being so.
In Swansea the scheme is co-ordinated by Swansea Council’s Children and Young People’s Services and the funding will go towards developing modern art-related schemes and projects in the city which will inspire young people, hone their skills and boost their confidence.
Mark Gosney, Swansea Council’s Out of School Hours Learning Coordinator, said: ” We’re working with partners to identify projects to fund across Swansea in various art forms including drama, music, digital, visual and event planning so young people can have fun and hopefully take part in something new or develop skills they already have.
“What we are looking for is some of the most modern art-related activities to help us engage with young people and give them loads of ideas of what to do next.”
Cllr Mike Day, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This is just one of many initiatives that Swansea Council is developing with partners such as Career Wales West to help ensure the number of young people who are NEET is reduced.
“Young people are incredibly creative and have talents that even they might not know they have or have been given the opportunity to show. This is not just about the art protégés though because the initiative is aimed at all young people. ”
Kate Sullivan, Reach the Heights Project Manager for the Arts Council for Wales, said: “Through Reach the Heights the Arts Council for Wales is supporting a diverse range of projects across the ESF Convergence area. These projects are offering taster sessions, workshops, training, mentoring, advice, work experience and support to young people classified as NEET or at risk of becoming so.
“The project will raise the confidence and aspirations of young people and will help to develop their creativity and practical skills and abilities to facilitate them moving into employment, training or education.”
