17 July 2009
Caerphilly County Borough Council's Youth Service The Hub Team have been working with Bedwas Neighbourhood Policing Team to provide a Monday evening activity for youngsters from the Lansbury Park area of Caerphilly.
'Monday Mania' was set up as a response to a recent Youth PACT meeting, where local youngsters expressed their concerns at the lack of youth facilities in the area.
Many felt that although they had the MUGA (outdoor play area) in the locality, older youths would often congregate there and intimidate the younger ones into staying away from the facility, leaving them with nowhere to go to socialise.
Therefore Caerphilly County Borough Council's Youth Service, working in partnership with Gwent Police went about setting up 'Monday Mania', a six week pilot scheme, which gives youngsters from across the area the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of activities, including rounder's, touch rugby and cricket, as a means of occupying their spare time and preventing any possible anti-social behaviour.
The Monday evening sessions have proved extremely popular, with over 35 youngsters attending each week.
Senior Youth Participation Worker, Andrew Griffiths said, "The number of people we have had turning up to take part in Monday Mania week in, week out has been overwhelming.
The scheme came about as a response to a Youth PACT meeting, where local youngsters mentioned the lack of youth facilities in the Lansbury Park area. By combining our resources with those of colleagues at Gwent Police, we were able to establish 'Monday Mania', which from feedback I've gained from people who've come along to take part, has been very well received."
PC Karen Hartshorne, said: "We are delighted with the number of young people that we have had attending the scheme every week, even in the pouring rain. The feedback has been very positive and whilst the majority of children attending do not take part in anti-social behaviour, it provides them with fun activities to help occupy their time. I also hope the introduction of scheme shows local youths that we are here to listen and to help tackle any concerns that they have locally as well."
One girl who has been coming to 'Monday Mania' every week said, "I think Monday Mania is really good – I've really enjoyed it. We've been taking part in sports like rounder's and touch rugby, which are really good because it gives us something to do on a Monday evening.
I've noticed that there is a lot less trouble and anti-social behaviour on the local estates now and I think Monday Mania has really contributed to that."
For further information, please contact Andrew Griffiths, Senior Youth Participation Worker on 01443 863243.
For further information, please visit the Safer CCB website.
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