Forsythia Youth Centre

Young and old unite as part of an intergenerational programme of activities gets underway.

On Wednesday 28th April 2010 young people from across the 3G's area teamed up with elderly residents of Ty- Gwaunfarren sheltered housing complex for an evening of pampering and gardening!

Six girls from the Forsythia youth project gained a valuable insight into 'the good old days' whilst they indulged the residents with a manicure and hand massage. Stories were exchanged between both young and old with both groups in awe of each other. Evaluation of the event was extremely positive with quotes \from the girls being "very enjoyable" and "enjoyable" and quotes from the ladies stating "excellent time, it was a good laugh and nice to get together" and "Excellent, really nice to relax and speak with the young people". 83 year old Gwen Prosser enthralled the girls with her tales of the land army

Meanwhile, the boys were shown the gardens and plans were discussed by some of the male residents. The boys (under close supervision of the men) then undertook a clean up campaign of the gardens. This activity also inspired some excellent intergenerational chat.

Young volunteers of the day are currently participating in an 18 month volunteering programme funded through Gwirvol youth volunteering grant. The project's aims are to encourage and support volunteering activities by young people.

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Young people and staff of the Forsythia youth project will be able to undertake more environmental work in their community thanks to partnership working with Laing O' Rourke. On Tuesday 4th May Project Leader Peter Sharpe and Logistics Manager Stephen Robbins presented the young people of Forsythia with a variety of gardening implements including, wheelbarrow, spades, forks, rakes and safety tabards.

Laing O' Rourke are currently working on the two and half year Prince Charles hospital - Emergency Care Centre. This is situated opposite the Forsythia Youth Project. Young people of the Forsythia Project are also setting up a small allotment at the back of the centre to enable them to 'grow their own food' This has come about through them receiving cooking equipment from Merthyr Youth Service.

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Forsythia opening times:

Monday	1.00-4.00pm	Drop In ages 12+
Monday	4.00-5.30pm	Junior youth Drop In ages 8-11yrs
Monday	5.30-9.00pm	Drop In ages 12+
Tuesday	1.00-6.00pm	Drop In
Wednesday	1.00-4.00pm	Drop In
Wednesday	5.00-9.00pm	Drop In
Thursday	1.00-4.00pm	Drop In
Thursday	6.00-9.00pm	Drop In

Outreach Work: Gurnos Shops Area (term time)

Monday	12.00-1.00pm
Tuesday	12.00-1.00pm
Wednesday	12.00-1.00pm
Thursday	12.00-1.00pm

Outreach Work: Gurnos Recreation Centre (football training)

Thursday

4.00-6.00pm

Outreach/Detached Work: (Penydarren/Galon Uchaf)

Monday	6.00-9.00pm
Thursday	4.00-6.00pm

Forsythia Youth Project is situated opposite Prince Charles Hospital. It is open for young people from the ages of 8 to 25 years of age. Sessions held at the centre include:

• Health and beauty
• Healthy eating
• Sexual health awareness
• Monthly pool competition
• Arts and crafts sessions
• Volunteer support and peer led sessions
• Organisation and planning skils
• Job search and CV writing
• Music workshops
• Media workshops

The youth team also run a varied and extensive summer activity programme, with young people taking the lead in the planning and implementation of the activities.

Are you interested in having a say in what goes on in your area? Would you like to take an active role in the decision making affecting you and other young people?

Then why not join the Forsythia youth forum. This forum is made up of young people from across the 3G’s area, who are there to help deal with young peoples issues.

Football training sessions are held every Thursday at the recreation centre. These sessions enable young people to keep fit, participate in a teambuilding sport and improve their skills. Participation in these sessions have also enabled young people to compete in various competitions across Wales.

During the Easter holiday period 36 young people participated in a healthy lifestyle event which included a series of healthy eating workshops followed by a visit to Heatherton Sports Park. At the sports park young people tried out a variety of sporting activities including archery, clay pigeon shooting, pistol shooting, golf, baseball and go karts. The young people gained many new skills and competances through participation in these activities, evaluation of the activities were really positive. The young people were all extremely well behaved and great ambassadors for the 3G’s area.