29/10/10
Shy teenager packs a punch with Youth Centre
Shy teenager packs a punch with Youth Centre
A Bridgend teenager has knocked her shyness out for the count and found a new ring of confidence after taking up boxing at her local youth centre.
A year ago, Paige Woodham, aged 14 from Pyle, suffered from extreme shyness and found it really hard to make friends.
But a few months sparring at the local KPC Youth Centre has brought her out of her shell and transformed the youngster into a much happier, more relaxed person with a healthy appetite for life.
Paige’s dramatic change for the better 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 Bridgend 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.
Paige, a student at Cynffig Comprehensive now finds it easier to vent her frustrations in a positive manner. She said: “I used to let anger and feelings bottle up inside me and then I’d flip for no reason. It’s good to get your anger out otherwise it builds up. Boxing keeps me fit and healthy but also helps me express myself in a positive way. I’m making new friends and feel better and more confident about who I am.”
The bustling KPC Youth Centre, based in Pyle caters for up to 80 people and has 400 people on the books in the Kenfig Hill, Pyle and Cornelly areas. They organise weekly Thursday evening boxing sessions at Aberavon Boxing Club which last for an hour and a half and focus primarily on fitness as well as encouraging the young people to get involved in group activities.
Karen Phillips, a youth worker at the club has noticed the positive change in Paige. Karen said: “We wanted to offer young people an opportunity to express themselves and boxing seemed to be a positive way for them to get their emotions out, socialise, stay fit and have fun.
“The classes are led by a professional boxing coach and geared towards providing a workout with the emphasis on fitness rather than fighting. Before we ran this course we noticed that some of the children that were coming into the youth centre were having trouble expressing anger or suffered from issues of confidence. The boxing sessions are proving to be really beneficial to these young people, providing them with a safe outlet to express volatile emotions and to gain confidence.”
Paige said: “The boxing sessions have been really good for me. I can’t get enough and just want to do it all the time. I’ve even asked for my own boxing gloves for Christmas!”
Huw Lewis, Deputy Minister for Children said Youth Work Week was a great opportunity to applaud the youth centre 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.”
KPC youth centre are running a program of activities during Youth Work Week called ‘Let’s get together’. The programme will consist of pool, table tennis and football tournaments for the children in the area.
For information on Youth Work Week visit: www.thankssam.org.uk
