Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The Carmarthenshire Youth Grant Panel has £10,000 available to organisations working with young people across Carmarthenshire between the ages of 11 - 25 years old. The closing date for applications is October 25. Application packs can be obtained by contacting the Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) on 01267 245555 and fflur@cavs.org.uk or by visiting www.cavs.org.uk . The Carmarthenshire Youth Grant Panel, made of young people from across the county, have been given £10,000 of the Welsh Assembly Government Youth Service Revenue Grant (allocated to Carmarthenshire Youth Service) to give to organisations with an idea that gives young people new opportunities. Young people from the Carmarthenshire Youth Council have been nominated to sit on the Grant Panel and will work with CAVS and Carmarthenshire’s Participation Team on setting the criteria, assessing project applications and deciding which projects will receive funding. The total fund available this year is £10,...

Young people on the Carmarthen SMART Project have been praised for their determination to succeed. A special event to recognise the young people’s efforts was held at the Gwenllian Court Hotel on Wednesday July 14. The group of 14-16 year olds were presented with certificates and commended for their efforts during the past year. Carmarthen SMART is run by Carmarthenshire Youth Service, with the aim of offering a wide range of qualifications and lifelong experiences to help re-engage young people 14-16 years who have been excluded from school or society. Emily Evans, Carmarthen SMART Coordinator said:“This has been a really successful year for all involved in Carmarthen SMART. The young people excelled all expectations and will be following various courses at college Sir Gar next term. “When the young people come to us they have many barriers to overcome and when they leave they leave the year long project they are ready to face a new chapter in their lives. “Special thanks must go to t...

Young people on the Carmarthen SMART Project have been praised for their determination to succeed. A special event to recognise the young people’s efforts was held at the Gwenllian Court Hotel. The group of 14-16 year olds were presented with certificates and commended for their efforts during the past year. Carmarthen SMART is run by Carmarthenshire Youth Service, with the aim of offering a wide range of qualifications and lifelong experiences to help re-engage young people 14-16 years who have been excluded from school or society. Emily Evans, Carmarthen SMART Coordinator said:“This has been a really successful year for all involved in Carmarthen SMART. The young people excelled all expectations and will be following various courses at college Sir Gar next term. “When the young people come to us they have many barriers to overcome and when they leave they leave the year long project they are ready to face a new chapter in their lives. “Special thanks must go to the Gwenllian Court Ho...

Students from the Ammanford SMART Project have excelled once again. A celebratory event was held at Streets Youth Project, Ammanford, to recognise the achievements of the young people. Over the past year the young people, who have experienced personal and social difficulties, have overcome their barriers and have achieved success in a new learning environment. The project, run by Carmarthenshire Youth Service, aims to offer a wide range of qualifications and lifelong experiences to help re-engage young people 14-16 years who have been excluded from school. This year, each student achieved OCN qualifications and various XL Princes Trust Awards. Special guest Ken Owens from Llanelli Scarlets was there to present the young people with their awards along as well as Gerry O’Sullivan from Princes Trust. Ammanford SMART Coordinator, Gareth Bennett said:“At the end of each year we see a huge improvement in the young people. The committed team at Ammanford SMART aim to bring out the best in the...

Parks in the Amman and Gwendraeth areas are the places to go for young people during the summer holidays. B in the Park is a fun-packed annual event hosted by Carmarthenshire Youth Service. The events are free and are open to all young people. Activities include a climbing wall, fun inflatables, assault courses, paintballing and much more. Rhys Jones, Senior Youth Worker for the Amman and Gwendraeth areas said: “The event is very popular with young people and each year we see an increase in attendees. “There is plenty to do and we aim to put on activities to suite everyone. “This is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn what other projects the Youth Service offers. “We look forward to seeing new faces and having fun with young people from the valleys.” For further information and full programme details, please contact Rhys Jones, Senior Youth Worker on: 07880504130

More than 200 young people in the county have reaped the benefits of a project funded through the Arts Council’s Reach the Heights project. The Reach The Heights Project, a Welsh Assembly Government project in receipt of £27 million from the European Social Fund, is aimed at engaging young people aged 11-19. The project has helped young people at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) or who are already NEET to develop their skills in multi media. With the added help and financial support of The Carmarthenshire Youth Arts Project, Youth Workers from Carmarthenshire Youth Service has delivered multi media projects aboard the Youth Multi Media Bus to young people in the St Clear’s, Carmarthen and Newcastle Emlyn areas. Carmarthenshire Youth service Multi Media Project Youth Officer, Dolan Thomas said: “Projects like Reach the Heights really do help young people get the best out of our services. “Seeing them succeed and planning a future is very rewarding and we ...

Young people can take part in a range of free activities at the Carmarthen River Festival during Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20 at Quayside, Carmarthen. Activities including children’s workshops, face painting and story sessions will be available and dance groups and circus groups will be putting on a spectacular show. Carmarthenshire Youth Service will be providing a climbing wall for young people wanting to take to the challenge of reaching the top of the 27 foot wall as well as the Mobi vehicle, run in partnership between Carmarthenshire Youth Service and Plant Dewi. The Mobi vehicle will give young people the opportunity to use the multi media equipment on board and youth workers will be present to provide young people between the ages of 11-25 with information on a range of issues and how to get involved in youth activities. The 3Ts (Tywi, Teifi and Taf) Youth Team will soon be re-locating at the Quay Centre, formerly the Carmarthen Heritage Centre, and will offer targeted su...

Young people from the Carmarthen SMART Project, delivered by Carmarthenshire Youth Service, are on their way to becoming the next Gordon Ramsey. As part of their course they have been learning how to cook and how to make healthy meals from scratch. The young people have spent time at the Gwenllian Court Hotel with Executive Head Chef and Hotel Director Adrian Bartels, where they’ve developed key skills and confidence. Emily Evans, Carmarthen SMART Coordinator said:“This has been a real turning point for the young people; they are now confident enough to take on cooking challenges and have learnt that healthy eating can be very enjoyable. “The team is very proud of their achievements and some of the young people are even considering a career in the food industry.” Martin Harries, aged 15 added:“I’ve really enjoyed this experience and I’m amazed with what I’ve achieved. “We’ve all worked really well as a group and we would like to give special thanks to the Gwenllian Court Hotel for thei...

Young people taking part in the Carmarthenshire Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, led by Carmarthenshire Youth Service, have excelled once again. A presentation evening was held at Queen Elizabeth High School to recognise young people’s efforts. The Award in Carmarthenshire has gone from strength to strength and over the past year 1,200 young people have been working on the Award and 947 new beginners have taken to the challenge; nearly 500 young people have received bronze, silver and gold awards and were highly commended for their efforts within their communities during the ceremony. Young people received their Awards from Welsh referee Nigel Owens who also gave a speech on how inspiring the young people were. Nigel Owens said:“I wish I had the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, it truly does open many doors and it is a great way of developing skills outside the class room. “Credit should go to the young people and all the leaders and volunteers who give up so much...

A project making a difference to the lives of vulnerable young people in parts of Carmarthenshire has won brand new national award. The Carmarthen Post 16 Outreach Project set up by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Service was presented with an inaugural Youth Work in Wales Excellence Awards. Managed by the Welsh Assembly Government, local authorities across Wales and the Voluntary Youth Service, the awards scheme has been designed to showcase innovative and inspiring projects and individuals who work in providing non-formal education opportunities to young people. The presentation of the awards took place at Cardiff’s SWALEC Stadium in a ceremony hosted by Welsh television presenters Sarra Elgan and Jason Mohammad. Two other Youth Service projects were short listed for awards; The SMART projects and the delivery of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. The Carmarthen Post 16 Outreach Project won in the ‘empowering’ category of the awards, for ‘encouraging and enabling young people to ...

Young people from across Carmarthenshire will be showing off their talents at the Carms Stars finals on Friday March 26. The event will be held at St Peter’s Hall Carmarthen and doors open at 7pm. Auditions were held around the county and the successful finalists will get the opportunity to perform in front of a panel of high profile judges. Carms Stars is run in partnership by the 3Ts Youth Forum and Carmarthenshire Youth Service. Youth Worker Dai Jones said:“We’ve seen some fantastic acts across the county and the standard is very high. It’s exciting to see fresh, new talent and I’m sure the finals will be a great success. “This should be a good night out for all the family and for anyone who has an interest in performing arts.” For tickets, please contact Michael-Rae on: 07772057609

Morfa Youth Forum and Carmarthenshire Youth Service have received support from Communities First and The Prince’s Trust to set up a motor biking scrambling project. The project will educate young people on motorcycle maintenance and encourage safe, responsible off-road riding skills. Pupils from Strade and Coedcae schools are currently using the motorbike project at Pembrey Race Circuit as part of their Youth Achievement Awards and OCNs. Young people meet with Youth Service officer at Pembrey Race Circuit to practice safe riding. Carmarthenshire Youth Service is delighted with the support given by Pembrey Race Circuit and Circuit Director, Phil Davies, hopes to create a motor cross track of international standard to meet the need for an off road facility in South Wales. Dyfed Powys Police are very supportive of the initiative and hope young people will take advantage of the facility in Pembrey Race Circuit. A Dyfed Powys Police spokesman said:“This initiative is a good example of the p...

Carmarthenshire Youth Service will be well represented at the prestigious Youth Work in Wales Excellence Awards 2010 at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff on March 18. The Awards Ceremony recognises and rewards the hard work, innovation, dedication and best practice shown by youth workers and projects that are making a real difference in the local community. Alison Owen-Yeates, Carmarthenshire Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Development Officer, Cerys Thomas, Outreach Youth Worker and officers from the SMART Projects have all been recognised for their outstanding contributions. Since Alison took up her role as the Carmarthenshire Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award Officer in June 2006, the Award has gone from strength to strength in the County. In 2008, more young people (504) achieved the DofE Award in Carmarthenshire than in any other Unitary Authority area in Wales and 10.4% of all Welsh DofE Awards were achieved in the County. Outreach Youth Worker Cerys Thomas, has been shortlisted for her work ...

Carmarthenshire Youth Service in partnership with the 3Ts Youth Forum is holding a Carms Stars talent event for all young people between the ages of 11-25. This is an opportunity for young people to get exposure and to show off their talents. The competition is open to soloists, bands and choirs as well as any unique talents! A £200 prize is up for grabs for the winner. Sioned Evans, 3Ts Youth Forum member said:“This is the first time for us to hold an event like this for young people in the County and we’re confident it’s going to be a fantastic experience for everyone involved. We have a lot of talented young people in the Carmarthenshire and we’d like to encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity.” Preliminary dates: February 24 - Pantycelyn School March 3 – Glanalla Hall Llanelli March 15 – Amman Valley School March 10 – Emlyn School March 19 – QE High Finals: March 26 – St. Peter’s Hall Carmarthen For further information, please call 01267 228208 or e-mail FBeale@carmar...

Carmarthenshire Youth Service in partnership with the 3Ts Youth Forum is holding a Carms Stars talent event for all young people between the ages of 11-25. This is an opportunity for young people to get exposure and to show off their talents. The competition is open to soloists, bands and choirs as well as any unique talents! A £200 prize is up for grabs for the winner. Sioned Evans, 3Ts Youth Forum member said: “This is the first time for us to hold an event like this for young people in the County and we’re confident it’s going to be a fantastic experience for everyone involved. We have a lot of talented young people in the Carmarthenshire and we’d like to encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity.” Prelim Dates: February 24 - Pantycelyn School March 3 – Glanalla Hall Llanelli March 15 – Amman Valley School March 10 – Emlyn School March 19 – QE High Finals: March 26 – St. Peter’s Hall Carmarthen For further information, please call 01267 228208 or e-mail FBeale@carmarthen...

Carmarthenshire Youth Service hosted two foreign exchange programmes for young people during August. The Youth in the World exchange project gave forty three young people from Italy and Israel the opportunity to learn all about sustainable development through the medium of Youth Work in the County. Young people stayed at the Waunifor Centre and Pendine Outdoor Education Centre for ten days where they had a valuable insight into the Italian, Israeli and Welsh Youth Culture and how young people viewed their countries in relation to cultural issues. Youth Worker Fiona Beale said: “The young people worked together using experiential education, discussion groups, work shops and intercultural activities, utilising the unique environment of Carmarthenshire and South West Wales. “They participated in a range of outdoor educational activities such as canoeing, kayaking and rafting down the Teifi River, coasteering in Saint Davids and a visit to St Faggons and the Welsh Assembly Government. “The...