Cyflwynwyd: Dydd Gwener 27th Ebrill 2012
Lee Taylor (Detached Youth Worker), Andrew Williams, Gareth Chidzy, Steffan Williams, Luke Howitt and Ryan Strong (Detached Youth Worker)
An adventurous team of teenagers undertook a grueling expedition which stretched them physically and mentally – all in the name of charity.
The foursome from Porth participated along with 100 other teams in the first “Do You Dare?” event held at Dare Valley Country Park and raised much-needed funds for the Ty Hafan children’s hospice.
Luke Howitt and Stefan Williams from Wattstown, Andrew Williams from Ynyshir and team captain for the day Gareth Chidzy from Trealaw are all involved in the various activities offered by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Service’s For Young People cluster group based in Porth.
After being encouraged by the Council’s Detached Youth Workers for the area, Lee Taylor and Ryan Strong, to involve themselves in the many activities taking place in Porth through the Council’s pioneering youth service, they decided to take things one step further.
Keen to become involved in a whole host of community-based projects, the four agreed to travel to the country park in Aberdare and undergo tasks in a number of physical, mental and team work activities. The four young people headed for a two-mile fell run over different terrains and inclines to challenge themselves to the maximum and work together as a team to support each other around the course.
They completed every activity that was there, from water flute challenge which would test team work to the maximum all the way down to a 200 metre zip wire challenge that would take them on a birds eye view over the mountains of Dare Valley County Park.
Other activities included a brain teaser, the log run and finally the nuclear bomb challenge which would test the group’s ability to work together as a team and use each others strengths to move a nuclear bomb out of its designated area and to safety with a set of ropes being the only tool allowed.
After all of the activities were complete the boys found out that they had finished in the top 40 places, with over 100 teams entered into the event.
Head of Services for Young People, Louise Cook, said: “The services we are now offering for young people are second to none and it is because of this, young people are shining.
“It is thanks to the opportunities that are now being created that young people are excelling and gradually we are succeeding in our aim to enhance their life opportunities. In doing so we are strengthening communities and building a brighter future for generations to come.
“Services For Young People is an exemplar in its field and one that is envied and admired throughout the country. With their ongoing commitment and dedication, I know they will continue to go from strength to strength.
“There is a wide variety of youth work undertaken across the County Borough depending on the needs of groups and individuals. There is certainly no typical day in the world of youth work, but all staff share a passionate belief in the potential of young people and a real commitment to making a difference. This is what attracts people to the profession and what keeps young people coming back for more”.
With continued investment in their award-winning Services For Young People, the aim of staff is to support individuals during the transition from childhood to adulthood, enabling them to explore opportunities to fulfill potentials and to empower them by providing opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and attitude to fully participate in the community in which they live.
The various projects are based around a secondary school and can respond directly to a young person’s need through six key service areas.
These are the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme; Detached Youth Work where a team takes to the streets directly to work with young people; Curriculum Development and Training through the Youth Accreditation Scheme; Special Projects Team; Youth Integration Team to support the delivery of personal and social development through youth clubs and forums and the Community Focused Schools and E3+ programme.
For further information on Services for Young People in Rhondda Cynon Taf visit www.wicid.tv or call 01443 744000.