Nick Smith, MP for °¬˛ćAƬ and Rhymney, has paid a visit to Abertillery Youth Centre to see the real positive difference UK Government funding is making to youth services in °¬˛ćAƬ.
Mr Smith met with staff and young people from the 11 – 16 Schools‑Based Team, EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) provision at The River Centre, and the Positive Futures programme. The tour highlighted how youth workers provide early‑help, emotional wellbeing support, and targeted intervention that helps reduce disengagement, improve attendance, and prevent risk‑taking behaviours.
The visit to the newly refurbished youth centre aimed to demonstrate the impact of youth work delivered across schools and communities, including:
- School‑based 11–16 youth work, including One‑to‑one and group support to improve wellbeing, attendance and behaviour
- Tailored interventions for young people unable to attend mainstream school
- Mentoring and activity‑based programmes that reduce the risk of exclusion and antisocial behaviour
- Support for learners at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
- Engagement and progression support for at‑risk young people
Across °¬˛ćAƬ, Youth Service teams support over 10,700 young people. A significant proportion of current youth work delivery is funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).
Nick Smith MP said:
“It was great to hear about the positive impact that our youth services are having on young people’s wellbeing and confidence. The youth teams across °¬˛ćAƬ are helping ensure that more young people stay engaged in education, feel supported, and have opportunities for the future.”
Councillor Sue Edmunds, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families at °¬˛ćAƬ Council said:
“I was delighted to welcome Nick Smith MP to Abertillery today to see and hear for himself the amazing work of our youth services, both out in the community and in our schools to help support young people to remain engaged and ensure no young person is left behind.
“Youth work is not an optional extra - it is a core part of our education and wellbeing system. The support our teams provide helps young people stay engaged in learning, build emotional resilience and avoid crisis.”
The visit provided Mr Smith with a direct insight into the value of the services and the crucial role youth workers play in prevention, wellbeing, and community safety.
