Hive of activity (From Western Telegraph)

Hive of activity

In the second of a series looking at youth projects in Pembrokeshire, Anna Smith visits the Garth Youth and Community Project (also known as The Hive) in Haverfordwest.

In 1992, residents of the Trafalgar Road Estate in Haverfordwest became concerned at the lack of activities available for young people.

Although it was the largest council estate in the town, there were no specific youth facilities for the 382 young people between the ages of 11 and 25.

The residents, together with representatives from agencies like Dyfed-Powys Police, Pembrokeshire County Council, Community Education and Pembrokeshire College set up a steering committee and later established themselves as a charity.

After a successful lottery bid, which included salaries for a full-time development worker, sessional workers, caretaking and clerical staff, they finally purchased and opened The Hive in 1998.

The centre employs two full-time staff, youth development worker Heidi Almond and her assistant Joanne Davies. There are also part-time staff and volunteers, provided through PAVS.

Said Heidi: Within a short time, there were up to 60 young people taking advantage of the limited resources, which highlighted the urgent need for the provision of this facility.

This had an immediate effect on the residents and the whole atmosphere of the estate as the young people had an alternative to hanging round the streets.

The Hive has greatly developed its activities from the initial pool, darts and football.

Activities have included canoeing, coasteering, ice-skating in Cardiff, residential weekends and a regular holiday activity club.

The youth club meets three times a week, attracting between 40 and 50 people each time. There are regular sessions of circuit training, dance, and art and craft, and discos at Christmas/ Halloween, and more.

The young people also have meetings, with adults present where appropriate, to discuss rules, concerns, project plans and any ideas they might have.

Eight computers are available and Pembrokeshire College regularly provides courses in computer skills.

In December, a young persons drop-in health advice centre was set up in conjunction with the Dyfed Powys Health Authority. The centre is open every Monday afternoon and is staffed by a qualified nurse.

The centre, which targets young people between 8 and 18, also aims to promote healthy eating. Joanne said: We cook a meal for every session. Initially, we wanted to show you can eat healthily on a budget, but it went so well that we carried on. Tonight Im making shepherds pie!

In recent months, the young people have successfully completed a Heartstart course in which the young people have learned vital life-saving skills.

They have also been helping to set up The Hives own website, which has been funded by PAVS. This gives information on what they are doing and events coming up.

Joanne said the project had made a big difference to the young people in the area.

With every step of progress that the young people and the project make, so their confidence and determination increases, she said.

The police have commented that there is a reduction in petty crime in the area and its great that they now have somewhere to go; its a very well-used building.

She praised the children, saying: They mix really well; and there are hardly any problems.

Last year, The Hive launched Beeline, a successful project which now includes a freephone helpline service, a peer-led education programme and a Morning After project.

The helpline service is targeted towards young people. It is also run by volunteer young people. It is open between Monday and Friday from 12 noon to 8 pm and on Saturdays between 10 am and 2 pm. The number is 0800 854070. It was recently awarded a Certificate of Commendation for good service to neighbourhood watch.

The peer education programme focuses on informal learning. Youth leaders visit schools and youth projects to do workshops on many subjects, including substance misuse, self-esteem, alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy and drug awareness.

The sessions are written and run by Lee Hind. The Morning After project involved the production of cards are designed to aid people in different scenarios. Cards include advice for the morning after being kicked out of home, being arrested, having unprotected sex, getting drunk and taking drugs. The cards also give contact numbers for organisations which can help. The launch of the project was attended by local MP Jackie Lawrence.

Community Safety Sergeant for Pembrokeshire, David Perry, said the police fully supported the work of the Hive.

We have a good working relationship with them and they have in fact helped us as well, he said.

On several occasions, they have distributed crime reduction literature to homes in the area for us.

The police worked with The Hive on its Morning After card promotion and recently nominated them for the National Neighbourhood Watch Association awards scheme. The Hive was among the few organisations in Wales to be awarded a certificate by the Association.

The Hive, in Haverfordwest, is part of a consortium of youth projects which also includes the Tanyard, in Pembroke, and The Point, in Fishguard.

The consortium, which receives Objective One funding, is co-ordinated by the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) an independent association of voluntary and community groups.

PAVS has helped with the technical aspects of monitoring the projects as well as financial management.

Members of the consortium, with the support of PAVS, are now working on the second phase of the project, and are hoping to receive further Objective One support.

PAVS aims to support voluntary and community action in several different ways. It offers advice on funding, legal matters, developing good practice and volunteering. It also provides practical help, for example with financial services and payroll, IT, training, and recruiting volunteers.

For further information on the Garth Youth and Community Project, contact 01437 764655.