A study of the need to develop a mobile youth provision in Ceredigion was conducted recently by Wavehill, through Cynnal y Cardi and commissioned by Ceredigion Youth Service (CYS).
The study was an exploration of mobile provision as a means of extending services in the more rural parts of the county.
Councillor Rhodri Evans, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economy and Regeneration said, “I am delighted that Cynnal y Cardi had been able to support this important feasibility study. It has provided an opportunity to engage with our local young people, encouraging them to have their say in order to shape services that are fit for purpose.”
The study was funded through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
The report identifies the budgetary restraints, coupled with the rurality issues Ceredigion faces, which necessitate innovative approaches to service delivery. Mobile youth provision would support the Youth Service to develop youth provision in rural parts of Ceredigion, extend the reach of its existing outreach work and give the Youth Service a resource from which to do far more street-based youth work.
Corporate Lead Officer for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Elen James said, “As a council, we need to ensure that the services we provide are accessible and appropriate for the residents of Ceredigion. CYS, like many other services have been proactive in recent years by evolving and adapting its provisions to suit the changing needs of its members. This has been evident in the targeted work that is provided both in schools and at post-16. Our focus now is to develop the community aspects, to ensure that they are universal and open to all young people in the county. We hope that this report can inform people of the benefits of new and innovative ways of engagement, particularly for those who live in more rural areas.”
“CYS are eager to develop its youth work provision in order to meet the needs of its communities, by providing more localised delivery of universal and preventative services, which are integrated and complement through-age services.”
“The findings of this report are robust and it has ascertained responses and opinions from a wide range of partners, community groups and most importantly young people. There seems to be a strong consensus that by providing services that are mobile, it would enable CYS to enhance capacity and provide greater youth work offer to our communities.”
CYS will now continue to work with key partners and stakeholders to develop a proposal to seek and attain funding from appropriate bodies, in order to support their vision of developing the service to be more community-focused and person-centred.
For a copy of the report, or to find out how you can be a part of the Youth Service’s projects please contact youth@ceredigion.gov.uk and remember to follow them on social media by searching GICeredigionYS or visit the website www.giceredigionys.com
12/02/2019