more youth services than ever before will soon be available in Swansea‘s rural communities.
A £75,000 bus project called the Rural Swansea Youth Express is now on the road and will provide support for young people in areas such as Gower and Mawr.
The bus includes computers with internet access, flat screen televisions, DVD players and a soft seating area that can accommodate around 15 young people.
Leaflets and other information about youth services will also be available on the vehicle.
Swansea Council is behind the project thanks to funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Rural Youth Express will operate four to five nights a week and a programme of visits is now being drawn up.
Felindre, Garnswllt, Llangennith, Penclawdd and Pontarddulais are among the communities the bus will visit.
Work is ongoing with pupils at the comprehensive schools of Bishopston, Gowerton and Pontarddulais to identify the best nights and times to visit certain areas.
Staffing for the scheme is being made possible thanks to European money accessed under the Swansea Rural Development Plan.
Gareth Jones, Swansea Council’s Youth Service Manager, said: “This is a terrific scheme that young people have been involved in from start to finish. The equipment on-board came about from consultation with young people and it was the young people involved who came up with the final design for the outside of the bus.
“The Rural Swansea Youth Express will take expert-led youth services into communities that have sometimes been harder to reach and will offer an experience that’s both entertaining and informative.
“It will also give young people in rural communities somewhere to meet and I’m sure the service is going to be very well-received.”
Details of the times and places the Rural Swansea Youth Express will operate in will be available by the end of month.
Call Swansea Youth Service for more information on 01792 450830.
