Gwynedd Council will be marking the annual Wales Youth Work Week with a series of events and activities for teenagers and young people between 31 October and 7 November.
This will be an opportunity to celebrate the vital role Gwynedd Youth Service plays in our communities, by providing activities, educational opportunities and more to people between the ages of 11 and 25 in all areas of the county.
The Youth Work Week will provide a shop window for some of the exciting activities available, for instance art and craft sessions; personal education including information about health, drugs and alcohol; music workshops; trips; residential weekends and opportunities to follow courses such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, Youth Achievement Award and Open College Network courses.
Young people are invited to come to any of the events to get a taste of what Gwynedd Youth Services could offer them.
The latest addition to the services available to young adults is the Youth Bus – which has been described as a youth club and more on wheels. This complements the traditional youth clubs and centres which already exist across the county, providing a range of activities aimed at helping people’s personal and social development.
The new Gwynedd Youth Bus, which many people may have seen out and about in their local towns and villages, is a mobile service bringing opportunities right to the doorstep of young people. The aim of the Youth Bus is to target areas which may not have somewhere for young people to go to in their spare time, or where a need for extra services has been identified.
Councillor Roy Owen, Gwynedd Council portfolio leader with responsibility for youth services, said: “Having the chance to be active and creative within a safe environment is vital for the long term happiness and well being of young people.
“Generations of teenagers and young adults have attended youth clubs in towns and villages across Gwynedd where they have taken part in all sorts of activities and learnt about themselves and the world around them.
“This new youth bus is a valuable addition to the service which already exists and means that we can now reach young people who live in communities which we have not been able to support in the past.
“I would urge young people – especially those who have never been to their local youth club – to give it a go during the Wales Youth Work Week.”
Deputy Minister for Skills at the Welsh Government, Jeff Cuthbert said: “Youth Work Week is a great opportunity for young people to have a go at something new or learn a skill that could help them with their future education or career.
“Learning a new skill can be an enjoyable, fun experience as well as helping you in your future working life. I hope as many young people as possible try out an event near them and discover something new.
“It is also an opportunity to celebrate the contribution youth workers make and the positive impact they have on the lives of the next generation.
“Youth programmes across Wales allow young people to fulfil a range of interests and provide an outlet for their positive development and creativity. These programmes would not be possible without the support and dedication of youth workers.”
