Out And About Supporting Our Young People

The Council’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service (YEPS) has taken to the road and is out and about in our communities providing activities and support for young people aged between 11 and 25.

The ‘mobile youth clubs’ regularly visit areas across the County Borough, at evenings, after school and during school holidays, offering information, advice and guidance as well as a range of activities to complement the existing Local Authority and voluntary organisations youth clubs.

Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member For Education and Youth Participation, said: “Our YEPS mobile hubs provide a valuable network for our young people. These vehicles enable our Youth Workers to deliver information and advice to young people, as well as offer guidance and support if needed, including mental health and well-being support.

“The mobile hubs are reaching out to young people in our communities and it seems they are being well received wherever they park up.”

The heated vehicles are fitted with seating areas, laptop connections, free Wi-Fi capability and television screens and are able to host general youth clubs and gatherings, gaming sessions, arts and crafts, film nights, sports activities and youth forum meetings where young people are encouraged to discuss and take action on issues that affect them.

They are the ideal place to enjoy recreation time in a safe environment while making new friends at the same time.

YEPS Staff are also on hand to provide a more targeted provision such as CV writing, job application support, interview techniques and youth worker one-to-one support in a confidential space if needed.

The vehicles also act as bases for the Youth Engagement and Participation Service at large community events and can also be deployed when the Service requires an immediate response within a specific community at times of emergency to provide youth support if required.

The Council’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service (YEPS) provides the statutory Youth Service for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for young people aged 11-25. This service is provided by a workforce of qualified staff made up of school-based workers, community-based youth workers, specialist youth work teams and skilled part-time staff.

Find out more about RCT Youth Engagement Participation Service and the weekly locations of the mobile youth provision

You can also follow YEPSRCT on Facebook and Twitter.