People get ready. There’s a new bus a-coming. And, if you’re aged 11-25, you don’t need a ticket to get on board.
Plant Dewi, the community development arm in the St Davids Diocese of the Church in Wales, received a grant from Carmarthenshire County Council to fund a new mobile drop-in unit, which was unveiled at Newcastle Emlyn Secondary School (Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn) last Friday ( 6 November).
The ceremony was conducted jointly by the Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr. Tyssul Evans, the Director of Education & Children’s Services, Vernon Morgan, and Rev. Philip Johnes on behalf of Plant Dewi.
Pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn and from Ysgol Pantycelyn, Llandovery – two of the schools visited by the project – were also present to lend their support.
‘Mobi’, as it’s known, aims to provide young people between the ages of 11-25 years living in isolated, rural communities throughout West Wales with access to youth information, advice and activities. Activities have included self-defence classes, go-karting trips, cooking competitions, DJ workshops, wall climbing and much more.
The new vehicle replaces an older one – a converted horse-box – which has been serving remote villages throughout West Wales since 2002. It is equipped with a host of technological gizmos offering young people a wide range of services and opportunities for learning, or simply having fun.
The new facility will be staffed jointly by Plant Dewi staff and council youth workers. By day, it will visit local schools followed each evening by community-based activities*.
Project Manager Sue Fletcher said: “Mobi acts as a catalyst for community activity and development through a partnership between Plant Dewi and Carmarthenshire County Council’s youth service. The project works with individuals, community groups and organisations to develop sustainable youth projects in rural areas. This work involves training opportunities, fundraising, project promotion and ongoing community support for isolated, remote or vulnerable groups.”
Carys Davies, Plant Dewi Project Worker, said: “The idea for ‘Mobi’ came from the young people themselves. They conducted a research project into what was needed most and this is what they came up with.”
