A North Cardiff youth centre has hosted a special event to celebrate its remarkable transformation and the successful collaboration with partners in delivering five innovative projects.
Gabalfa Youth and Community Centre has been transformed in 18 months, and the event showcased the results of five projects developed with the input of young people:
Horse box café: A horsebox donated by Boskalis Westminster will be transformed into a café run by young people, providing them with valuable skills and confidence. Galliford Try will assist in fitting out the horsebox based on the young people's ideas and aspirations.
Development of multimedia room: In collaboration with Tool Station, Barclaycard, Dulux, and Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), the development of the studio has enabled young people from the community to gain qualifications in joinery,painting & decorating, and health & safety.
Completed multimedia room: in partnership with Sound Progression, this project will create a music studio in North Cardiff, supporting young aspiring artists from local communities to develop song writing and music creation, as well as honing production and recording skills.
It will complement the work of Cardiff Music Service, enabling young people to access opportunities in their own community, in a safe space supported by youth workers, with quality input and guidance from a range of professionals.
Unify: Engaging five local schools, this project involves creating graffiti art to improve and beautify areas of Gabalfa, culminating in an exhibition.
Wellbeing garden/ outdoor learning area: This initiative includes bike maintenance, Duke of Edinburgh programmes, and a firepit, promoting outdoor learning and community engagement.
Renovation of Gabalfa: With the support of various partners, the centre has been redesigned to be more inviting and exciting for young people, creating a space they can be proud of.
The event also featured a community consultation project where young people used a "maptionnaire" to identify safe and unsafe areas in Gabalfa, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for their community.
Cardif Council cabinet member Peter Bradbury said: "Over the past 18 months, Gabalfa Youth and Community Centre has evolved from having no full-time youth provision to offering an extensive range of engagements and clubs, across six days a week.
"This special event has showcased the journey of the centre as it expands its services and opportunities for the young people in the community and is a testament to the power of collaboration between Local Authorities and private and third sector organisations."
Partners Involved:
Cardiff Commitment and Cardiff Commitment Curriculum Team
Cardiff Youth Services
Boskalis Westminster
Galliford Try & partners
Mace
Euroclad
Barclaycard
Volunteer It Yourself (VIY)
Tool Station
Dulux
Unify
Sound Progression
Hope Espresso
Forest Farm
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