07 August 2009
Young people from across the Caerphilly county borough have been 'hooked' on lessons in angling, as a means of occupying their spare time and preventing possible anti-social behaviour.
Funded by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, Caerphilly County Borough Council Youth Service's The Hub Team have been working with 10 young people from across the borough on the 'Inclusion through Angling' scheme. The youngsters participating in the scheme have in the past taken part in anti-social behaviour.
Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, "This excellent initiative is a great means of providing alternative activities for youngsters from across the Caerphilly county borough to take part in, to learn valuable skills and also to prevent any possible anti-social behaviour from occurring.
Schemes such as this are great as they are also of benefit to the whole community – by working with these 10 youngsters, who have in the past been known for taking part in anti-social behaviour, our team of Youth Workers are emphasising to the youngsters that their previous behaviour was unacceptable, that it was having an adverse effect on the community, and that it should be changed for the better."
The thirteen-week course run at Cefn Mably Lakes near Rudry is split into two parts – firstly in the mornings, the participants have been taking part in lessons in English, maths and science using the theme of angling, before putting into practice what they learned on the lakes in the afternoons.
Several of the participants have in the past become disengaged with education; this initiative therefore gave them the opportunity to continue to learn vital skills in English, maths and science in a way that interested and motivated them.
Senior Youth Participation Worker, Andrew Griffiths said, "Over the thirteen weeks I have watched the boys become much calmer, more motivated and a lot more disciplined – the fact that the scheme combines classroom based learning with physical activity means that the participants can receive the best of both worlds, while working towards achieving a recognised qualification."
The participants have also been given the opportunity to work towards achieving a National Open College Network (NOCN) Introduction to Angling and the Environment certificate – they are also keen to continue working towards achieving a UK Level 1 award in Sports Leadership.
One of the scheme's participants said, "I have really enjoyed the whole course and have learned so much, not just about English and maths but also about the environment and wildlife – I would definitely recommend it to anyone."
The 'Inclusion through Angling' scheme was set up in 2007 by Luke Richards, who combined his career with his love for angling to create a fishing school to help youngsters improve their skills in English, maths and science while working to achieve recognised qualifications by learning in the great outdoors.
For further information, please visit the Inclusion Through Angling website.
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