Taking action for the youth of Rhyl.
Rhyl Youth Action Group (RYAG) has been given a boost by the Wales Co-operative Centre.
A pro-active group of young people from Rhyl, north Wales, has received support from the Centre. RYAG’s goal is to create generations of young community leaders and empower large numbers of young people to take positive action in their community.
The group has a membership of more than 400 young residents with whom they consult and engage via their projects such as the Youth Café and Youth Bank.
The café, run by the young people of Rhyl, provides a safe environment to meet people and get involved in community projects. Members have free access to computers and can buy low cost healthy food.
Project Manager Shane Owen cites the case of a 14 year old girl who was experimenting with alcohol and drugs and began attending the group after getting into trouble with the police. She initially got involved in the youth café and as her self esteem increased she started to volunteer for other community projects and undertook a range of training. This young woman is now employed as a trainee youth worker helping other young people engage in community projects and make the most of their lives.
Another of the significant projects run by the group is the Youth Bank, a grant making programme managed by young people for young people. With Welsh Assembly Government funding, Rhyl Youth Action Group recently established the first Youth Bank in Wales, enabling youth groups to implement small scale activities and to date more than £7,000 has been allocated to local projects.
Commenting on the Centre’s involvement, RYAG Project Manger Shane Owen said: “Without the help and support we received from Business Development Officer Dylan Owen we would not have been able to register as a company or move forward with our new projects. Dylan was flexible with his time allowing us to have meetings and training at a time that suited our young members.”
