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

Young people in Llanelli will be showing what ‘Youth Action’ really stands for with the clean-up of Penymorfa Park. The graffiti park in Penymorfa, which was completed as part of the splash and play initiative, has been destroyed and vandalised with white paint. The park has become subject to littering and is in need of revitalisation. Communities First will work alongside the SMART project in a multi-partnership initiative and highlights what can be achieved when you work together. The event will run over a course of two days, with the initial clean up taking place on February 2. As an appreciation of young people’s hard work and dedication to the project, on February 3 they will have the opportunity to paint their own graffiti on one side of the wall. Communities First Development Worker Kelly Wood said: “This is about encouraging young people to speak up about the issues that they face and taking action to tackle those issues. It is also about ownership, these young people’s w...

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...

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 ...

Students from the Ammanford SMART project have successfully completed the Phoenix Fire Project with the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The project gives offers a week of work experience with uniformed fire fighters, during which young people receive training identical to that of a newly recruited fire fighter. Students were acknowledged for their efforts during a passing out ceremony at Llanelli Fire Station on Friday February 12. The Mayor of Llanelli, John Jenkins was present along with Ammanford Police Officers and parents and relatives of the SMART students. Activities undertaken at the Phoenix Fire Project includes classroom based learning, health and safety, team building tasks, work experience, problem solving and equipment and skill-based work. Gareth Bennett, Ammanford SMART said:“The Phoenix Fire Project’s core objectives are to enable young people to experience being part of a team, to increase awareness of impacts of offending and anti-social behavior, to enhan...