Day to day

The scheme runs throughout the academic year. The young people are encouraged to work as a group to highlight a topic they perceive to be an issue within their own locality. This will be achieved by weekly meetings with an allocated Schools Project Officer who will facilitate the group’s needs and objectives while exposing them to outside influences. The Schools Project Officer will, be accompanied by one or more PCSO’s who will aim to assist the group in their endeavours and break down barriers between young people and the Police.

The young people will also have the opportunity to interact in a participatory manner, empowering them to make decisions for themselves and take on new tangible responsibility through these weekly meetings. At the end of the academic year the young people will take part in a celebration event alongside their counterparts across their county borough, allowing the young people to demonstrate to their communities the proactive work they have done and is an exceptional tool at raising self esteem and empowerment. The following September there is an opportunity for the young people to participate in an outdoor activity weekend where they can meet new people and have new experiences in a fun and enjoyable environment aimed at developing social skills and self esteem at no cost to the learner or school. The weekend is fully staffed and funded by Cynon Valley Crime Prevention Association Ltd. The weekend is also a reward for their previous years work.

The scheme does not follow a regimented pattern on a weekly basis, the weekly meetings are not outcome based and do not take the form similar to a classroom environment, the purpose of the weekly meetings are to engage the young people and build up a relationship of trust so that outcomes can be achieved at some point during the academic year or beyond. Therefore sessions made include some very informal adhoc discussions/activities that may not seem relevant to the overall project, however these discussions/activities maybe vital to building relationships and trust between the attending personnel.

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