By opening the Youth Club doors at the Bi Yearly events give the wider community a view into the youth world and gives the opportunity to showcase the passion of the youth Action Group and the hard work and dedication of the Gabalfa Youth Club and Cardiff Youth Service.

 

Since the youth club has stated there has been an obvious decrease in youths ‘hanging around’ this has been noted by residents who also applaud efforts from all. Young persons know and understand that all agencies are working together to better their community. They appreciate and respect that although the club has been formed it is not to be taken advantage of and poor behaviour will not be tolerated and although there is a huge element of fun it is also educational and structured. 

The joint approach to the problems Gabalfa has faced has been literally a jigsaw puzzle.

All the pieces were there. but not in any order, quite overwhelming .. Our work on NPT made a good start of the puzzle. We managed to build the middle but still couldn’t see the final picture.  

All agencies brought ideas, views, and a different approach to the problems – We prioritised the pieces, put them in order – Youth, Education, facilities, needs, wants ..  Sometimes we put the jigsaw pieces in the wrong way, some pieces were easier to find than other .. Some we really struggled with but before we knew it the final pieces was in! The picture was complete! – However, we know that the jigsaw puzzle isn’t solid… we know need to keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t break. Nearly a year on we are still holding 6 weekly YAG meetings, Community events and checking in with one another sharing information and gathering intel. 

Without the joint approach we would have only ever have the foundations of the OSARA problem solving model  .. only ever the middle of the Jigsaw.  Us as NPT could have been as passionate and hardworking as we wanted however, we knew early on we didn’t have the networks or the contacts to build on. We always look at the root cause of the Anti-Social behaviour, trying to tackle from the source. We all work together with our specialist approach to make sure nothing is missed… This gives our jigsaw the glue to keep the pieces together.
Now, with the YAG .. we not only have a network but a working Family – Who’s common goal is improving the community of Gabalfa… The Gabalfa Community Centre has been a key part of this and is invaluable!

 

Cardiff Youth Service working in partnership with Carly Davies and Matt O’Brien from Cardiff Commitment and ‘Passport to the City’ have provided, over the last few months, a kayaking project for the young people of the Gabalfa area. The project has given opportunities to those young people who would not necessarily have had the chance previously. The new experiences and activities that have been on offer wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our partners Cardiff Commitment. We are delighted to say that young people completed the course at Cardiff International White Water centre and are now looking to become members of the Seren Dwr slalom club. 

 

If would like to offer young people new and exciting opportunities across the Cardiff area please contact Gareth Bendle – Senior Youth Support Worker for Cardiff Youth Service at Gareth.bendle@cardiff.gov.uk

Over 437 people attended the Gabalfest event at Easter, in the Gabalfa area of the city, which brought young people, community members and their families together. The community event offered a variety of positive activities and a place to discuss what young people and community members want and need in the area, as the team introduce a full youth support offer in Gabalfa.

 

Gabalfest was a huge success, and a leading example of what can happen when young people, youth workers, community members and decision makers work collaboratively. A variety of activities were enjoyed throughout the day: 

·         Free food and nutrition advice from UHB dietician team.

·         Street Artists – Hurts So Good

·         Music from Ministry of Life 

·         Cardiff Rugby- The name previously The Blues. Changed to Cardiff Rugby

·         Cardiff City Foundation

·         A magician

·         Council Estates Team  

·         CAVDAS – Cardiff and Vale Drug and alcohol service.

·         Cardiff Youth Service Active Involvement Team, Inclusion and Post 16 teams

·         Dr Bike from Cycling Training Wales

·         Circus Performers 

·         Gabalfa Youth and Community centre Gaming and virtual reality sessions in the all new digital Gaming lab

·         Advice from South Wales Police 

During the event, attendees were asked what they think Gabalfa needs, which is key to planning what Gabalfa Youth Club plan to do next, both as a Youth Service and a Community Partnership Group. Developing inclusive opportunities like Gabalfest provides opportunities for all to be part of a group, which is a key part of improving wellbeing. 

Gabalfest was developed by Cardiff Youth Service’ newly formed Gabalfa Youth Centre Activity Team, their Youth Action Group partners and the Gabalfa Community Partnership Group. It was supported and funded by Cardiff Youth Service and the Community safety Team with no cost to those attending.

 

A huge thanks goes out to everyone who came together to make the event a success including: Joff from Ministry of Life, Sharon Bufton and Nick Lovelock from Community Safety Team, Sean Thomas at Housing and Communities, Jamie Thomas at CCFC, Nicholas Driscoll at Draconians FC, Kylie, Darren and Natalie at South Wales Police, Estate Management Services - Darren Clarke, The Gabalfa Youth Club staff Nevaeh, Nanita, Steve, Sam and Theresa and the wider youth support services.

 

Follow @GabalfaYC on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to hear about future activities and events! @Cardiff Youth Service @GabalfaYC 

 

Over 427 people attended the Gabalfest community event, which brought together young people, community members and their families. The @Cardiff Youth Service event offered positive activities in the Gabalfa area of the city and a place to discuss what young people and community members want and need in the area. Follow @Cardiff Youth Service and @GabalfaYC to be the first to hear about future activities and events!

 

Over 427 people attended Gabalfest which brought together young people, community members & their families. The @YouthCardiff event offered a positive activity in the Gabalfa area & a place to discuss what young people and community members want and need in the area.