CWBR Youth – a new approach to involving young people in local communities

Young people from across Pembrokeshire are taking part in a series of Youth Activity days across the county this summer. The days are part of PLANED’s CWBR Youth (Community Wellbeing & Resilience) project, will ensure the project is youth-led and set the stage for the next phase of the project in the autumn. CWBR Youth aims to support meaningful engagement between Town and Community Councils (TCCs) and young people, in this case by providing innovative and informative activities to raise awareness of local democracy, the work of Town and Community Councils and how they can improve the lives of local young people.

Local Town Councillor Cllr. Philippa Noble attended the event voluntarily and engaged the group in discussion about her role as a newly elected Town Councillor. She explained the work the Town Council undertakes in the community and asked the young people what they would like to see improved in the town. Philippa said that she “thoroughly enjoyed engaging in team building exercises with the young people and speaking to them about their ideas and thoughts on what Councillors could do for them”

Tom Moses, CWBR Youth Co-ordinator, led an ‘Escape Room back-pack’ activity where the group was challenged to complete a series of Pembrokeshire Town & Community Councils related tasks and answer questions to get the correct codes to proceed onto the next level. The day involved a range of fun outdoor and team activities.- Tom explained ‘traditionally much of the approach to working with young people taken by TCCs has been quite dry – we are turning that on its head; making it fun and engaging and focusing on developing working relationships with young people that are more likely to sustain ongoing involvement. On a baking hot day like today, after learning what they do what better than falling off a canoe with a Councillor?’

The first CWBR Youth day was attended by young people from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Futureworks scheme which provides young people with training, development and other support to develop skills and employability. Futureworks Training Advisor Rachel Williams-Smith added ‘The group gained in confidence and self-esteem and are looking forward to the second activity day where they’ll take on a canoe mission down the Teifi tackling various challenges on the way’

Emyr John of One Voice Wales said “It’s great to see young people engaging with local councillors and volunteers on this fantastic CWBR Youth project. The group have learnt about the important role of Pembrokeshire Community and Town Councils, understand a lot more about local elections and how to contact a local Councillor”.

CWBR Youth is a two year project running until May 2024. Further activities are planned for the Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Pembroke areas during August. Any young people aged between 16 and 25, or Town and Community Councillors of any age who would like to participate in CWBR Youth project activities can contact Tom Moses at PLANED on tom.moses@planed.org.uk / 07810 228526, or for further information visit the PLANED website (www.planed.org.uk) or on social media pages.