The ‘New’ Vale Youth Street Team(VYST)
The Vale Youth Street Team provision consists of a detached team
called Pulse and a brand new spectacularly transformed single
decked Mobile Provision called the V-POD. The street team aims to
tackle the issues of youth annoyance, youth provisions, underage
drinking, community cohesion and young people's needs by engaging
hard to reach young people, get them off the streets and engage
them in something positive. The bus is the first of its kind in the
area, and almost certainly the most equip, futuristic, mobile youth
provision we have seen in the UK. The impact a provision like this
can have on a community, young people, parents, elderly and police
is substantial and crucial in this day and age.
What is the Pulse Team?
The Pulse team operates
without a centre, we work with young people in their communities;
we work in streets, parks, bus shelters, car parks, beaches, skate
parks, where ever young people are! The basis of the Pulse teams
work is to engage and meet young people in these locations and to
start building and developing a positive, supporting and trusting
relationship, with a clear understanding of confidentiality and
boundaries. Once this has been established and we have a positive
relationship the team can start implementing and introducing
opportunities for these groups, whether is it sport opportunities,
helping them set up a voice in their community, looking and
supporting them job hunting, helping to talk about stress and other
issues, offering information about issues they may be facing,
talking about future ideas and projects, signposting to other
services, and much more! The overall aim is to engage the group in
activities etc which will help and benefit them and their community
in the short and long term.
What is the Mobile Provision?
The new V-Pod is equipped with the very latest
Apple iMac computers, an Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, Dj Decks,
Bose surround sound, Plasma Screens, DVD player, Disco lighting,
chill-out area and satellite internet. It will allow professional
tutors to run mobile creative, multimedia and music workshops, with
qualified youth workers on hand to provide information and
activities on youth issues such as good citizenship, community
respect and healthy lifestyles.
The VYST have a wide variety of skills and
experience in the youth work field and as you have read above we
are able to help or be involved with young people and what they are
interested in, in a variety of different ways. It will also
complement existing youth provision; undertake informal educational
activities, events and workshops in areas of little or no youth
provision. In addition, we aim to involve young people in
existing community events and initiatives through the new V-POD
provision and the Pulse team.
For further information please
visit http://www.v-pod.me.uk/ or
contact:
Tara Morris,
Street Based Youth Co-ordinator,
Tel: (01446) 450 217
Email: TLMorris@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk