A youth led project in Somerton, Newport, is celebrating after being chosen as a champion project by O2’s It’s Your Community scheme.
Each month O2 select a number of projects to receive community awards but only select a handful of champion projects. Last night (Wednesday) the djing club based in Somerton Hope Community Centre received its award from O2 representative Stephen Allison.
The djing club was the idea of 18-year-old Craig Dennis from Poplar Road, Somerton. Craig applied to O2’s It’s Your Community fund for money to purchase a range of recording and mixing equipment and last night received a cheque for £999.
The equipment will be used for sessions with junior and senior youth clubs and enable the young people of Somerton to learn and develop their djing skills.
Craig set up the club in October 2009 to add more to the senior youth club sessions, and also to provide young people with further opportunities to learn a new skill.
Craig said: “It was a big surprise to receive an award from O2. It is fantastic to not only secure funding for djing equipment but also be selected as one of the top 15 champion projects in the UK.”
Working with Newport Youth Service Communities First Development worker, Nathan Davies, and Somerton Hope Community Centre staff, Craig applied to various organisations for funding to purchase the djing equipment. He secured funding from O2’s It’s Your Community to allow the project to go ahead.
Nathan Davies, Communities First Development worker, said: “We are delighted the project in Somerton has received funding to purchase djing equipment but also that the club was recognised for its work through the community champion award.
“We are very proud of what the young people have accomplished and the impact it will have on the wider community. It is a massive achievement for the young people of Somerton.”
Cabinet member for young peoples services, councillor David Hando, said: “I am delighted that Somerton Hope Community Centre has not only received funding for its djing club, but also that it has been selected as one of two community champion projects in Wales. To receive this recognition is fantastic for everyone involved and I would like to thank them for their hard work and wish them well with the project.”
