28/10/10
Youth project set to add new life to Swansea area rural community
A teenager from rural Swansea hopes to inspire other local youngsters to become active members of their rural community by transforming disused rooms in a village hall into a bustling youth ‘lounge.’
Volunteer youth worker, Geraint Turner, 19, from Craig Cefn Parc felt there was nowhere in the village for young people to relax, socialise and make new friends, so he took the initiative to create a fully-equipped meeting place where they could enjoy themselves, plan activities, undertake informal learning and have access to youth workers.
Backed by the Swansea Youth Service, a £10,000 grant and the help of volunteers from the community, he’s well on the way to achieving his aim and, when ready, the revamped rooms are expected to be used regularly by at least 20 local young people.
Geraint’s enterprising project is being highlighted by the Welsh Assembly Government during this year’s Youth Work Week (November 1-7) as an excellent example of Wales’ vibrant youth service in action.
During Youth Work Week special events are being held around Swansea and across the country to encourage more youngsters to get involved in activities in their own localities. Nearly 300,000 young people in Wales currently benefit from a wide range of voluntary and council-run youth activities and support services.
Geraint explained the importance of making a space that young people can enjoy. He said:
“There are few social activities for young people in our area and too many of us end up sitting at home on the sofa playing video games on our own. Having a place for young people to get together, learn and interact with others their own age will make a big difference to our community spirit and can build bridges between young and old members of our village.”
After securing a grant of £10,000 from Unlimited Sport Relief, Geraint approached the Craig Cefn Parc Welfare Hall committee who agreed to let him transform the disused changing rooms into a youth lounge. Requiring substantial renovation, work on the room started at the beginning of October and progress has been good with plumbing, electrics and plastering already complete.
To finish off the project Geraint has now recruited a crew of young volunteers from the village to pick up paint brushes and decorate the space.
“This is as much their project as it is mine and I want them to take ownership so that they really appreciate the lounge when it’s all done. I’ve had a huge amount of input from my peers on what the room should look like and what needs to go into it. I may be the one pushing it forward but it has become a real community project.”
When finished, the lounge will be fully equipped with flat screen TVs, computers, video game consoles and soft furnishings. As well as being a comfortable and fun meeting place, Geraint hopes the youth lounge will have a wider impact on the local community and on the number of programmes available for young people.
“When the Village Hall committee see how modern and well used our room is, I hope that they’re inspired to modernise the rest of the Welfare Hall and make it a great place for people of all ages to socialise and spend time together. I also hope that when the lounge is done we can start to focus on creating a programme of events for young people. I’ve already been approached by a dance instructor and others who are keen to teach classes to young people in this area.”
The new youth lounge is due to be opened on 17 December and once completed, the lounge and its programme of events will be supported by the Swansea Youth Service.
Suzy Mayhew, a youth worker from Swansea Youth Service, helped Geraint apply for the grant and is supporting his efforts. She said: “It’s just awesome to see Geraint applying himself and doing something that will benefit the community in Craig Cefn Parc. He has an infectious can-do attitude that has inspired some of the older crew to come along and help him out with the project. He’s also inspiring others to train as Youth Workers which is bringing more young people into the project and engaging with the opportunities that youth work can offer to them.”
Huw Lewis, Deputy Minister for Children said Youth Work Week was a great opportunity to applaud the project and the huge contribution made by Wales 20,000 youth workers to the wellbeing of Wales.
He said: “Young people experience many challenges and opportunities as they grow to adulthood and it’s important they take advantage of the many excellent services provided by voluntary groups and statutory agencies across Wales to help them overcome hurdles, develop their potential and prepare for a fulfilling future.”
For information on Youth Work Week visit: www.thankssam.org.uk
