AN ENGAGING project aimed at helping reduce anti-social behaviour is underway thanks to funding.

Thanks to Wrexham County Borough Council (Community Safety, Community Cohesion, Youth Justice and Education) , in partnership with North Wales Police and the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, funding was secured from the Safer Streets 4 Funding Programme.

This has enabled Groundwork North Wales to deliver youth engagement sessions with secondary school groups in Wrexham, at Ysgol Clywedog and Rhosnesni High. The programme creates opportunities for young people who have been identified as taking part in anti-social behaviour or who are at risk of doing so.

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The sessions have provided skills, support, opportunities and in-depth discussion around the topic of anti-social behaviour in school and in local communities. The young people who have participated have learnt new skills taking part in various activities, as well as achieving various formal qualifications.

Aaron Jones, senior youth lead, said: "The participants have been fantastic to work with and have given 100% effort in every session. The young people have grown considerably in their understanding of how their behaviour affects individuals, their school and their community whilst we have worked with them."

Graffiti mural artwork completed by youngsters taking part in the Safer Streets programme.

Graffiti mural artwork completed by youngsters taking part in the Safer Streets programme.

He explained how it was important for participants to have ownership of the sessions, working together to plan activities and for all participants to have a full understanding of what they hoped to achieve. Activities included various improvements to their school environment which they would undertake. One such improvement is the creation of a graffiti mural artwork for the school featuring iconic imaging representative of Wrexham and inspirational wording.

As well as school improvements, the youngsters participated in community litter picks and enjoyed practical hands-on woodwork tasks in the workshop at Groundwork North Wales site in Tanyfron. Tasks included those aimed at improving physical and intellectual skills, tasks requiring good communication, health and safety considerations, teamwork, and following instruction.

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Donna Edwards, assistant headteacher at Rhosnesni High, had only positive feedback on the difference the sessions have made to their participants.

She said: "As far as I am concerned and in speaking to the pupils it has been fantastic. They have had the chance to develop new skills, experienced interacting with different adults [Aaron and colleagues] in a different environment and formed good relationships. They have experienced different types of work opportunities that are possible and have not given any negative feedback."

To find out more about the Safer Streets project or any of Groundwork North Wales youth team projects, visit www.groundworknorthwales.org.uk or email aaron.jones@groundworknorthwales.org.uk