The Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Youth and Community Project, was established in 1994 in order to combat high levels of crime in the villages of Aberfan, Merthyr Vale and Mount Pleasant principally caused by young people. The Project was established following several public meetings and consultations, which identified a need for provision of services for young people. The Project is managed by a committee comprising of the community, Presbyterian Church, user groups, young people and other partnership agencies. The Project aims to provide facilities in the interest of social and informed education for recreational and leisure time activities. We aim to motivate young people who are possibly following a route of poverty, early pregnancy and drink/drug offences, by involving them and providing access to a programme of exciting alternative activities that may heighten their awareness of their surroundings, and assist them in making informed decisions about people who face difficult circumstances; to involve young people who may be socially excluded and to interest young people in a more healthy and constructive lifestyle.

Over the past Ten years the Project has made a significant contribution to the community and to the lives of the children and young people of the area by providing them with somewhere to go "off the streets" and with something constructive to do.

The Project strategy is to provide activities and services that are needs led and to enter partnerships with agencies that can provide these services to the benefit of the community using a holistic approach to community development and regeneration. The Project is community based and therefore has developed initiatives that address the social and economic problems faced by the community and young people in particular.

The community based, peer group and multi-agency approach followed by the Project is innovative in that it includes key local organisations and builds upon the continuous development of strategic networks and examples of good practice. The method enables the integration of all services available to young people so that the risk of disaffected young people 'drifting' from the system is minimised.

The synergy developed has led to a wide range of services that cater for all ages from the youngest to the oldest in the community and has led to integration of these diverse groups. This is best illustrated by the computer suite where young people and senior citizens are gaining computer literacy skills together.

The strategies undertaken by the Project in dealing with community regeneration and disaffected youth were being undertaken long before they have become 'popular'. The project has become a model that other community regeneration programmes have emulated.

Congratulations to the AMVYCP on their recent Investors in People Review. Maintaining the ‘Standard’ was due to the hard work, commitment and dedication to the Project by Management, Staff and Volunteers. Well Done!! LAUNCH!! WEDNESDAY MAY 21ST 1:00 – 3:00, TRINITY CHAPEL, MERTHYR VALE ‘Children, Families and Education Forum’ (name to be confirmed) Community members directly working with children and families, Parents and supporting agencies, working together in PARTNERSHIP to ensure families have SUPPORT, INFORMATION and a VOICE within the Community!! Short presentation, introductions, networking and information sharing. ALL WELCOME!! For more details contact Tania: 01443 693777 – Creche 07821487330 - Mobile

This page updated: 04 September 2008