An award-winning initiative which is providing a safe and secure space for young people, and helping them to move towards a more positive relationship with society, has been praised by local MSs following their visit there this week.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar and Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders visited Mochdre Youth Shed on Thursday to find out more about the initiative and how it is benefiting young people in the area.
Youth Shedz was founded in 2018 in North Wales and it now has established sheds in towns across the country.
A Youth Shed is similar to a community or youth centre and having a shed in a town significantly reduces the amount of anti-social behaviour.
The Mochdre Youth Shed was opened last year, and during their visit Darren and Janet met with CEO Scott Jenkinson, Assistant Shed Coordinator Sonia Nicholson, and some of the young people they serve and heard how it has been helping the young people who attend.
Speaking afterwards, Darren said:
“Finding your way in life when you are young can be challenging, and even more so without the right support and direction.
“I have received much positive feedback about the work being done by the Youth Shedz in North Wales, so was pleased to have the opportunity to visit the Mochdre hub and meet with those behind this great initiative and find out more about how they are helping people who may be less likely to engage with mainstream traditional youth services.
“What they have created at the Mochdre Shed truly is fantastic. The hub is a warm, welcoming environment where young people feel safe and secure, and it is creating opportunities for them to move towards a more positive relationship with society.
“I commend Scott and everyone else involved for all they are doing to engage with young people by providing them with opportunities to get the help and support they need.
“The work they are doing deserves huge praise – they really are changing lives.”
Janet said:
“I reached out to Youth Shedz after hearing about the outstanding work they are doing in North Wales.
“The Mochdre Shed is a place where young people, who ordinarily wouldn’t attend a tradition youth club, feel comfortable attending. This initiative is helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and providing young people, who without support could potentially go off the rails, with a space where they can get together and get involved in positive and worthwhile activities.
“It was a very informative visit and I thank Scott and the team for the outstanding work they are doing, not only in Mochdre, but throughout North Wales.”