Perception-busting documentary

Truth About Youth is a project run by Platform 51 in Wales, funded by The Co-operative Foundation. It aims to challenge and change widespread negative perceptions of young people.

Last week the Caerdydd Youth Team (CYT) met a group of older people from the Healthy, Wealthy and Wise project to talk about working together. They want to make a film of what they have been doing.

Sixteen-year-old Lizzie, who put the idea of making a film to the group of 56 older people, said: "I was really nervous. But I got really excited when everyone wanted to get involved. I can't wait to get started on the documentary."

The film will show the young people working closely with older people to showcase their perception-busting work.

Doreen, from the Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, said: "I am looking forward to seeing the documentary and really enjoy supporting this project."

Challenging negative perceptions of young people

Platform 51's Truth About Youth project, funded by The Co-operative Foundation, works with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people and break down the barriers they face.

The project's team of young carers, Power of the youth, wanted to break down the barriers between themselves and the older generation. So they invited the Deputy Head of Council, Judith Woodman and a group of pensioners to join them for an art workshop. A local artist helped them to work together on a joint piece of art.

Doreen, a local resident from Llanrumney said: "I'm afraid I was a little disappointed with the behaviour I'd seen of young people, along with young mums, but the Truth About Youth project has changed my perception of young people and I'm so glad it has."

Judith Woodman commented: "It's been really interesting and fun, and more importantly engaging with young people and sharing things we have in common and as a result showing there is no difference between the old and young. Very intergenerational, some great ideas but more importantly we had fun and age didn't come into it."

Following this successful event, the group of older and younger people are now full of ideas on exciting projects they can work on together, watch this space for more information. 

Service Update

Since January 2011, Platform 51 has been a delivery partner in the NOMS Newday Service for women offenders and those at risk of offending in Wales, operating as a sub-contractor to the Working Links, which holds the main contract.

Proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for the service and the requirements for women using it to gain qualifications and employment mean that Platform 51 is no longer the provider best-placed to deliver this contract. Working Links and Platform 51 have therefore agreed to end the contract by mutual consent.

The Newday service in Wales will continue to be managed by Working Links, whose staff have considerable expertise in assisting people into employment. Platform 51 staff will continue to support women offenders and those at risk of offending in Wales through the NOMS Turnaround service and to work with women and girls through a range of services.

Working Links thanks the organisation for its work up until now and wishes it well for the future.

Challenging the negative perceptions of young people

Funded by The Co-operative Foundation, Platform 51's Truth About Youth project works with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people and break down the barriers they face.

Superkidz, the truth team from Mary Immaculate High School, met with Age Concern's Healthy, Wealthy And Wise group in Ely this week, to talk to the group about starting a pen friend project.

The truth team felt that the older generation can be afraid of young people, and they want to challenge this and show that negative stereotypes about young people should not be believed.

They thought that a pen-friend project - where a member of the Truth Team teams up with a member of Healthy, Wealthy and Wise to write to each other and find out about each other's lives - would be a good way of bridging the gap between generations and learning from each other.

Polly and Agata from Superkidz volunteered to do a short presentation about their idea to Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, and was very well-received. Both groups are looking forward to starting their project in September, so watch this space!

Challenging negative perceptions of young people

Platform 51's Truth About Youth project, funded by The Co-operative Foundation, works with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people and break down the barriers they face. A team of young people met with their local PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) to turn the tables and question them.

The truth team, All about boys and girls, interviewed the local PCSOs for the Truth About Youth newsletter. The young people felt it is important to get to know their PCSOs and find out how they really felt about theyoung people they work with. The PCSOs were glad to answer the questions and share their experiences. After, the truth team served tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits to the PCSOs.

PCSO Neil Crowley said: "youth engagement is part of what we do and it's a good way of breaking down barriers, this works better with small groups, like this one. The young people all listened well and the questions they asked were very good. It reminds you that when you see them on the street in gangs, they're just young people at the end of the day."

PCSO Laura Ropers expressed the importance of truth teams: "it does break down barriers and give them an opportunity to talk to us. It gives an opportunity to have a relationship with them and it's really valuable."

Joshua, a member of the truth team from Grangetown, said: "it was fun asking the PCSOs questions, we gave them a good impression of young people".

Challenging negative stereotypes of young people

Platform 51's Truth About Youth project, funded by The Co-operative Foundation, works with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people and break down the barriers they face. One of the groups are young gypsy travellers from the Shirenewton site.

The group made a travelling book about their lives and the gypsy traveller community. The book challenges some the negative stereotypes that the group have faced. There has been some negative television coverage on the television about the gypsy traveller community

The group's book is being exhibited as part of Roma Gypsy Traveller History Month in the basement gallery of the Riverfront Theatre in Newport.

Platform 51 Cymru makes an impact

Staff and service users from Platform 51 Cwmafan attended the Plaid Cymru conference, the last political conference before the Welsh elections in May.

They told conference delegates about the valuable work done in the Platform 51 centre in the village of Cwmafan, near Port Talbot, including the drop-in group for young mothers and the All about Alcohol project.  This All about Alcohol project, funded by Pfizer, is helping girls to find ways to go into primary and secondary schools to raise awareness about the risks of alcohol abuse.  The girls' group has developed a resource based on the Top Trumps card game where each card highlights the impact of excessive drinking.

Representatives from Platform 51 Cardiff's Truth about Youth project, funded by The Co-operative Foundation, also attended. Fifty-five young people from Truth about Youth who created a manifesto for young people promoted this widely at the conference.

Linda Pritchard, Welsh policy officer, said: "It was good to have such a strong team effort promoting Platform 51 Cymru.  The women and young people were superb ambassadors for Platform 51's Cymru's work."

Pictured: Staff and service users from Platform 51 proudly represent the organisation at the Plaid Cymru conference

Girls from Platform 51 Cymru give workshop

Girls from Platform 51 Cymru were invited to give a workshop at Alcohol Concern Cymru's conference Building a healthier relationship with alcohol in Brecon.

Danielle and Sophie, (pictured), both aged 14, are taking part in the All about Alcohol project at Platform 51 Cymru Cwmafan. This project, funded by Pfizer, is helping girls to develop resources to take into primary and secondary schools to raise awareness of the risks of alcohol. The girls' group has developed a resource based on the Top Trumps card game where each card highlights the health impact of excessive alcohol intake.

Danielle and Sophie planned and delivered their workshop with support from Cwmafan staff and demonstrated their card game resource to the conference delegates.

This was an excellent change to demonstrate their achievements and Platform 51 Cymru's work. Feedback from conference delegates was very positive; they were particularly impressed by Danielle and Sophie.

Linda Pritchard, Platfrom 51 Welsh policy officer said: "The girls and staff in Cwmafan have worked hard to produce some really useful resources which they will soon be taking out to schools in their area.  We were delighted to be invited to do this workshop by Alcohol Concern Cymru."

Young and old meet and mix

Power of Youth, a young people's group at Platform 51 Cardiff , invited and old people's group, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, to a coffee and games afternoon. The two groups enjoyed cakes served by the young people and games of cards, chess, draughts and bingo. Councillor Ali from the Grange Town area  popped in to lose a game of cards to one of the Power of Youth members. Also attending were people from the local community, older neighbours and relatives of  the young people. The atmosphere of the day was fanastic and enjoyable.

Mrs Morgan said: "The young people were delightful, thank you for an enjoyable afternoon."

Sophie, aged 16, a, young carer, said: "I think the day went very well because we got involved and made new friends."

The group will keep in touch with all who attended and work with them in the future.

Truth About Youth show off their artwork

On Thursday the 17 of March the Pretty Girls Rock Truth about Youth team took part in their Truth Challenge.  The Team had undertaken a piece of artwork to celebrate and promote their Welsh/Black African heritage. They exhibited their artwork at their local library in Grangetown, where members of the public were invited to come and talk about their work and how it challenges the negative perception of young people.

On the day the young people were very keen to discuss their artwork with the public and to gain a better understanding on what their local community thinks about them. Many members of the public spoke and interacted with the young people, however the young people did receive mix reviews.  Some members of the public raised  some negative views about the young people living in Grangetown.  The Truth Team took on board the views of their community and are looking forward to continuing their much needed work, tackling those negative perceptions.   

Age gap forgotton over a game of bingo

The alternative curriculum truth team, also known as 'all about boys and girls' spent their Wednesday afternoon making new friends. After a morning of making cupcakes, with many different toppings, this truth team set off to Worcester Court Sheltered Housing. The group asked the older people a selection of questions to get to know them and to find out their feelings about young people. The two groups played a game of bingo and despite the age gap agreed to meet up again soon.

"I really enjoyed listening and getting to know them, I am looking forward to going back there." Marcus Winterman 15, from Roath

"I have enjoyed having the young people here" Worcester Court

Intergenerational discussions

The Power of Youth, a group of young people from Platform 51 met an Age Concerns group Healthy, Wealthy and Wise today. This was the first meeting between the two groups to discuss their plans for an intergenerational working partnership.

One elderly person said: "It is a great thing what you are doing; the young and old have many misconceptions about each other and this will help overcome many of them and build relationships. I am really looking forward to Power of Youth's event and working with these young people over the next year."

Power of Youth's event will be on Saturday 12  March at Fitzalan Youth Centre; they will be hosting tea, coffee, cakes and dancing from 12pm until 2pm. It will be a chance for both groups to get to know each other better, smash negative perceptions and plan for future events.

Sophie, aged 16 said: "I am really looking forward to getting to know the older people and hear their stories. This project has been awesome and I have been enjoying getting to know new people."

Thanks to the generosity of the The Co-operative Foundation, we are working with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people.

A group of young people from Ely, Cardiff, who are keen skaters, formed a Truth Team, to tackle the negative perceptions of young people in their community. Over the past six weeks the Truth Team has been working with Platform 51 and the local community to organise a skating event in their local leisure centre, to highlight the skills involved in skating and BMX biking. The Truth Team held its event during half term week, to reach as many people in the community as possible, but to also hold an event that young people are interested in.

On the day, bad weather threatened the event, but the manager of the leisure centre kindly agreed to host the event inside the main sports hall. Local councillors and community groups were invited to come along to take part and get to know the young people from their community. There were competitions and prizes and young people were encouraged to have a go at skating. The event proved to be a great success.

Child poverty strategy for Wales published

Platform 51 Cymru welcomes the publication of the Assembly's Child Poverty Strategy for Wales. Linda Pritchard, Welsh Policy Officer at Platform 51 Cymru, said: "We are pleased that the Assembly is committed to eradicating child poverty and welcome the Strategy's acknowledgement of the link between women's poverty and child poverty."

In our consultation response to the draft Child Poverty Strategy we said we welcomed many of the actions listed in the Strategy, but believed these will be improved and become more effective if a gendered approach is adopted so that women, and their children, will be supported out of poverty.

Helping gypsy girls stay healthy

Platform 51 Cymru has just started working with girls from the gypsy and traveller communities in the Llanelli area. The programme, especially created for the gypsy girls, is called Positive pathways and consists of group sessions and workshops which teach girls to useful life skills.

For the first few weeks of Positive pathways the girls have been learning about healthy living. Local experts have given advice and demonstrations on a holistic approach to health including exercise and relaxation. As the programme continues the girls will learn about how to prepare and eat healthy food, how to manage and cook on a budget and the benefits exercise to improve health. 

Helen Williams, Platform 51 Cymru's programme manager said: "Loads of gypsy and traveller women have come to our centre in Llanelli.  We give them a chance to take part, have their say and make decisions about what they do. Since Positive pathways started, just a few weeks ago, we have already seen the girls become more enthusiastic and confident."

Helen continues: "Girls from gypsy and traveller communities often drop out of the mainstream school system early for a variety of reasons and can miss out badly. The idea behind Positive pathways is to get girls from the gypsy communities taking part in an alternative that reduces isolation, promotes healthy living and teaches useful things, like how to get the services that they are entitled to."

Kim Williams, the Carmarthenshire county support officer, has introduced Platform 51 staff to the local Irish gypsy and traveller community on the official site at Pen y Bryn. In the next few weeks Platform 51 will also start work with the gypsy and traveller mothers of children at Bynea school. Platform 51 plans to teach practical, money-saving skills and give the opportunity to be creative.

Positive pathways is funded for three years by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Mae Platform 51 yn cefnogi merched a menywod wrth iddynt gymryd rheolaeth dros eu bywydau.

Art group goes on whistlestop tour of London's art sights

Young women from YWCA Cwmafan's Art and Performing Art group have been on a whirlwind tour around London to sample different art mediums.

The two-day trip for the 12- to 16-year-olds included two hours of private tuition at Tate Modern, where they produced their own modern artwork, an evening watching Hairspray at the theatre, seeing the street performers at Covent Garden and an open top bus tour to view London's architecture.

YWCA's centre manager Sian Tones said: "The girls were extremely excited about this trip and it's been a fantastic opportunity for them to really absorb many different art forms and cultures. Without the support of YWCA staff and funding from the Big Lottery Fund this trip would not have been possible.

Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Lowe, who was on the trip, said: "It was just brilliant. We went on the underground and travelled all over London. Hairspray and the Tate Modern were amazing. We learned so much, it was brill!"

YWCA Cwmafan's Art and Performing Arts group provides opportunities for young women aged 11 to 18 to explore the issues that affect them through different art mediums. They have so far produced graffiti boards and DVDs and have choreographed various dances.

Dr. Brian Gibbons visits YWCA Cwmafan

Dr. Brian Gibbons, Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, visited young women from YWCA Cwmafan on Friday 10 July to discuss issues affecting them in the community.

The Minister met girls and women from YWCA, many of whom were young mums, along with YWCA's Chief Executive, Sarah Payne. They specifically discussed funding and employment opportunities for young women in the area, including apprenticeships in construction. 

Helen Williams said: "It was a really interesting opportunity for the young women to meet Dr. Brian Gibbons. They discussed issues that are important to them, such as employment, and there is potential to take this meeting further."