"The main purpose of my role is to work with young people and others within the Aberystwyth and Penparcau Communities First area to asses their needs and to encourage volunteering of activities and development of youth services and facilities in the area.

To build the capacity of young people in the communities first area, by engagement through formal and informal projects and programme that contribute to their positive development and the regeneration of their community.Throughout 2008/2009 there have been a host of opportunities for Children and Young People of all ages and backgrounds. The activity programme now is widely regarded as the biggest programme in Wales.

As part of our aims and objectives we had to implement an activity programme for each school holiday.

To ensure we listened to the young people and children we did a consultation.Children and young people of Penparcau and Aberystwyth had their say on future developments in the area through research organised by Communities First.

A total of 973 individuals took part in the study, which investigated views and opinions on sport and leisure activities, with a particular focus on possible future developments to the Min y Ddol site in Penparcau.

The research also analysed current provision for sport and leisure activities in the area and held a focus group with community representatives to gain a deeper insight into their views and opinions.

The consultation was a great success with a very good response from children and young people in the Penparcau and Aberystwyth area. The results provided direction for any future developments in the area, and supported us in providing activities to children and young people.

The research was undertaken by Mabis, a marketing and consultancy company based in Aberystwyth, People who contributed to the study included the children and young people, schools, community groups and Penparcau Football Club, who currently own the lease at Min y Ddol.

The report showed a good awareness of Communities First and the activities we engage in, and this is something which we hope to build on. Feedback from children and young people is vital in developing facilities and activities for the local area.

The Ieuenctid Cymru Youth Demand Report 'A Centre for youth and Community Activities in Aberystwyth' (2004) clearly demonstrated a need for a youth centre in the area. Since the report the Ceredigion Youth Service has established a youth drop in two evenings a week in Aberystwyth and l have supported a number of sports clubs to establish youth divisions. However there is still a need for increased sustainable amenities for young people.

From the consultation done by Mabis in April 2008 it again noted the demand for opportunities for children and young people to engage in activities that will broaden their horizons and build confidence.

The activities have proven to be a massive success. Not only have they been enjoyable for local children and young people but they have removed barriers to increase participation in a number of activities. It has provided opportunities to fulfil Children and Young People ambitions and improve their quality of life.

From the success of activity programme children and young people have joined clubs and because of demand new clubs have been formed. Because of this self esteem and confidence has been improved and developed.

For some children and Young People some experiences proved unforgettable because it was the first time they had left Aberystwyth.

By providing opportunities for children and young people it has engaged them in activities that will broaden their horizons and build confidence this has been done win partnership with other community groups and agencies such as Aberystwyth University and Urdd.

Because of the success of the programme l have developed youth sections of local sports clubs and have supported the development of new and existing clubs. This has enabled progression from holiday activities to regular sustainable activities with the local community.

There has been a reduction in numbers of young people coming into youth court system (first time entrants'), from Penparcau and Aberystwyth in the last 2 years (since the Communities First Youth Outreach Officer has been in post).

From April 2007 to March 2008 on a Ceredigion wide basis first time entrants fell by 21.1% from baseline of 2005, this supports the preventative work being done in Penparcau.

Figures are available from Youth Justice Board's performance returns and through Dyfed Powys Police crime stats for 2007/08.

Instances of Anti Social Behaviour by young people in Penparcau have also fallen since the Communities First Youth Outreach Officer has been in post.

The activities have proven to divert the diversion from crime and reducing re-offending by involving har to reach children in the activities.

Furthermore a survey carried out by the Aberystwyth Night time Economy project in 2008 also identified the need for more things for under 18s to do and a place for them to go.

Other assessments and projects have identified need also such as Ceredigion Children and Young People's Plan - 2008 has identified in its needs assessment and priorities over the next 3 years, the need to work within the Communities First area in order to reduce poverty and other priorities linked to young people. (Core aim 7 Not disadvantaged by poverty).

The Big Lottery funded project Iachus Gyda'n gilydd - Healthy Together has identified Penparcau as an area requiring specific intervention in order to improve the nutrition and physical activity of children with the aim of preventing future obesity. This information was provided by the Ceredigion Health and Well Being Partnership.

All these surveys, consultations, projects show the need for the Aberystwyth and Penparcau Communities First area to have a activity programme and provide opportunities to fulfil their ambitions and improve their quality of life. These activities have clearly lead to an increase in the number of Young people involved in positive community based activities and to an increase in new existing youth groups providing opportunities for all.

As well as activities we have helped form new groups and clubs and improve junior sections. We have provided training opportunities and actively seek to help all young people and children in the area.

For further information please look at the Communities First website linked to on the right hand side of this page or contact Peter Griffiths Youth Officer on 01970 639464 or e-mail petergr@ceredigion.gov.uk

Article written by Peter Griffiths