First Aid Training

In May we ran a very successful first aid training course for staff and young people. Centre manager, Steve Fawdry said, “the combination of practical first aid learning, interspaced with mock scenarios provided very real life, life like opportunities for learning. This was a great opportunity for staff and young people to spend time learning together. At the end of the course, we were delighted when Cath, our tutor, announced we had all passed.”

New Volunteer

Also in May, Fiona Beale joined us as a volunteer youth worker and committee member. Born in Derby , Fiona attended Sheffield University and gained a BSc Hons in Countryside Recreation Management. Last year, she moved to Wales to be with friends and to spend more time gardening which is one of her passions. Her other hobbies include walking, adventure sports, entertaining and reading. Fiona said, “I felt like doing something worthwhile for local young people. I enjoy working with them and want to see them succeed in life.”

Last Summer’s Programme

In July we hosted a group of young Polish people who were visiting West Wales as part of an exchange organised by Tai Hafan housing association. We showed them around the Centre and the town and cooked them a bar-b-q at Plas-y-Dderwen.

In late July we took a group to NASS (the extreme sports show) at the Bath and West Showground where we camped for two nights. Young people saw some of the world’s leading competitors in action and had a go at mountain boarding, skateboarding and more. A great time was had by all and we returned with a very tired but equally contented group of young people.

During the summer holidays we worked in partnership with Ceredigion Youth Service to run a broad range of outdoor activities including paint balling, go-karting, quad-biking, dry slope skiing and white water rafting.

As well as being great fun, the programme was intended to team build and develop a youth forum for young people to give them a voice which will be listened to at local government level.

Staff Spotlight

Steve Parkin (senior youth worker) has worked for ITY for 3 years. Originally from Canada , Steve moved to Newquay at the age of 5 and attended Llanarth primary school and then Aberaeron Comprehensive. He then went on to gain a Diploma in sound technology and studio engineering. During the last 15 years, Steve has embraced fatherhood and so far, has four children aged between 2 and 15 years. As a Welsh speaker, Steve’s worked for a number of local youth projects after dipping his toe as a Warden for the Youth Hostelling Association. With a keen interest in music (both playing and listening), he’s passed on his enthusiasm by promoting D.J.’ing and computer generated music workshops at the Centre. Steve says, “I enjoy my job because it enables me to make a positive impact on the lives of young people. We can provide opportunities which they can’t normally access. At times it can be very challenging but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the positive changes in young people and their smiling faces.”

Meet the Young People

Meet Aidan (centre) aged 14 and his friends Dafydd (left) and Lee (right). Aidan’s been coming to the youth club for two months and recommends coming down with friends to start with because it feels better. “It’s a good place to hang out and meet your friends,” says Aidan. “I like surfing the Net and playing pool. I went with the youth club to Theatr Mwldan to see a video made by young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. It was quite shocking what drugs can do to you and it made me think that drugs aren’t cool. I get on with most of the staff at the youth club. They’re pretty cool and they’re there if you need them.” Aidan likes D12 & Eminem.

Jake, aged 16, first came to the youth club three years ago whilst attending Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi. After being excluded from school, Jake started making use of the daytime drop-in facility. “I enjoy going to the drop-in because it gives me something to do,”’ said Jake. “I like to play pool and chat with friends. The staff treat us like adults and not like kids - they’re cool and they rock.” Recently, Careers Wales, came down and helped me put together a C.V. which came in use when I successfully applied to join the Army”. Favourite band – Guns & Roses.

Trip To Theatr Mwldan

In October we took a group of nine young people to Theatr Mwldan to see an educational video about drugs, alcohol and associated anti social behaviour.

The video included contributions from several youth groups based in Ceredigion, including Penparcau, Tregaron Youth and pupils from Ysgol Ceredigion, along with the story of a family who had been affected by these issues. Three short films portrayed the negative effects of boredom felt by many young people growing up in rural areas. Although some found the films quite shocking, we hope this will lead to a more rounded education of what is fast becoming a big part of youth culture.

Fund Raising

Current Projects

A group of girls (and the occasional boy) have been working together to make patchworks which will eventually be sewn together to make a colourful wall hanging with the I.T.Y. logo as its central feature. The girls have also been eagerly making stylish shoulder bags, so, look out Trinny and Susannah – we know what to wear!

Forthcoming Projects

There’s lots planned for the winter too. During the coming months, we will be undertaking some building work to fill in the first floor void. This will increase the floor area of the upstairs main room which will subsequently enable us to make better use of this space. The ground floor lighting will be increased to counter the effect of less natural light being available.

As part of the upstairs transformation, young people will have an opportunity to work on two art projects. The first will be to design and build a D.J.’s crows nest using scaffold poles and a range of metals. The second will be to recreate the local landscape on the 15ft high walls and then to impose their identities into different parts of the landscape to which they relate using graffiti art.

Finally, young people will be involved in the design and creation of a mosaic to go on the central board outside the front of the Centre. This project has been kindly funded by the Princes Trust.

Project Information

Ieuenctid Tysul Youth (ITY) is a voluntary youth group based in Llandysul. We have delivered a range of personal and social education and support services to young people aged 10-25 for the last eight years.

Our base is a converted Chapel from where we provide an after school drop in, evening youth club (Wed & Thur) and minibus collection and return service.

Our work hinges around the Youth Work Curriculum for Wales and we work towards improving the quality of life and range of opportunities available to young people.

For further information on what we offer, volunteering or, joining the management committee, contact Steve Fawdry or Steve Parkin.

Tysul Youth Centre, Lon Wesley, Llandysul , SA44 4QJ .

Tel: 01559 362908 / E-mail admin@tysulyouth.co.uk

‘Supporting young people’s transition to adulthood’