Bridgend

	Programme Name:	Wildmill
	Programme Manager:	Tyrone Hughes
	Telephone:	01656 654 472

Programme Description

Wildmill Drop-in Centre

Our Wildmill Drop-in Centre currently works with young people on many different projects such as film production, music and drama workshops. The young people also take part in many excursions and participate in education projects such as IT Training.

Valleys to Coast Housing Association have allocated Wildmill the flat above the drop-in centre. One room is being used as a small office, Super Channel (radio broadcast and video production) occupies one room and the living room is being used as a meeting/counselling room for single mothers by a number of different agencies.

Youth Works on the Crest of a Wave

Groundwork Bridgend’s Youth Works programme is riding high at the moment. The young people’s crime and drug reduction programme, currently working on three of Bridgend’s most disadvantaged housing estates, has experienced a number of noteworthy events.

An independent evaluation was carried out, funded by the Big Lottery, on Youth Works’ longest established project in Wildmill by Wider Impact. The report was completed in May of this year and showed that the project is far exceeding its expected outputs and going from strength to strength. Anti-social behaviour calls are down 64% with actual crime down by 47%.

Also during May, Reg Denley, Youth Works Programme Manager, was invited to speak at the Young People Now magazine National Conference in London with Mal Gay, Youth Offending Team Manager, on the topic of alternative ways of working with problems associated with young people that is proving so successful in Wales.

In June, following on from the recent visit by the Youth Works Ukraine project to Bridgend, Reg toured two industrial regions of the Ukraine supporting the setting up of six 'Street Children' projects.

All this activity prompted the National Board to alter their plans for their annual project visit and come to the Bridgend area and visit the Wildmill, Caerau and Marlas sites along with members of staff Tyrone Hughes, Davinia Healy, Lindsay Tyson and Sarah Hill, local volunteers and young people. The board members also met with members and representatives of the local Steering Group and partner agencies for a networking lunch which includes South Wales Police, Youth Service, Safer Bridgend Partnership, Youth Offending Team, Valleys to Coast and Young People’s Partnership.

The evaluation can be seen here [Acrobat pdf 533k] or on the Safer Bridgend website www.saferbridgend.org.uk.

John Davies, Partnership Coordinator of the Bridgend Community Safety Partnership has said :

“Youth Works is an excellent example of grass root working with young people in communities delivering visible benefits.”

Youth Council

Four young people from Wildmill sit on Bridgend’s Youth Council, they are the first from a non-privileged area to do so. The Youth Council is part of the Young People’s Partnerships (YPPs) network in Wales.

Outdoor Activities

We also regularly play a range of sports with the young people and take them on trips which they participate in a whole range of outdoor activities including canoeing and rock climbing.

The younger members of the drop-in centre have been enjoying trips to the Aquadome in Swansea. The trips have been very successful and everyone involved has enjoyed themselves.

On Wednesday nights some of the young people have joined in regular football sessions down the Rec. These sessions are open to all the young people. We are also looking at getting a professional to train the young people in trampolining as they have shown a keen interest in this activity.

Other Projects

As youth workers the staff have introduced the young people to many other projects that could benefit them such as the Princes Trust, and the Positive Futures programme run by the youth service and the youth council.

As diversionary workers it is our job to develop the personal skills of the young people to help them obtain employment or enter further education.

As the project is committed to rejuvenating the area we keep the community involved and updated of our progress by way of a newsletter that is sent to all the residents.

• Two young people attended a 2-day residential course – Drug OCN.
• Two volunteers have started a 2-day FAW Coaching Award course.
• Two volunteers have started Level 1 Introduction to Youth Work with Bridgend Youth Service.
• 11 April - Fun day organised by local community to raise funds to purchase disco equipment for the project (with a view to holding monthly discos) – the target of £200 was reached. First youth disco held on 24 April in the community centre - went very well and was attended by 39 young people.
• 12 young people took part in an art project at Cardiff Arms Park, painting portraits of Cardiff Blues rugby players and also meeting some of the players.
• Young people from Wildmill, BAVO Consortium and Litchard primary school completed the building of a bridge. Meeting held with the headmaster of Litchard junior school. Due to the success of the first bridge building scheme, it was agreed that a new pond liner should be installed and a second bridge built. The expense will be covered by “slippage money”.
• An 18 year old young male who was initially a young person attending the project and then a volunteer, joined the British Army on 10th April 2006.
• A drop in centre has been started in partnership with Ogwr Dash (drug agency) to provide advice and support during the day.
• Total attendances March to May 2006: 1648.

If you require any further information on our activities please contact the Project Co-ordinator Tyrone Hughes.

September 2006

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