31 May 2023
Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner. Dafydd Llywelyn has provided funding for the youth justice team in Carmarthenshire to work with children between 8 and 17, who are at risk of crime or have committed crimes on a creative project ran by the Urdd Eisteddfod.
The Urdd Eisteddfod is an annual Welsh language, youth festival of literature, music and performing arts which this year has been hosted in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire between the 29th of May and the 3rd of June.
Project 23 is a project aiming to give all children and young people the opportunity to get involved and develop the creative skills through themes such as local history, legends and belonging.
The project collaborated with the Youth Justice Team in Carmarthenshire to employ a creative practitioner to work closely with a young people to create murals and artwork for benches depicting the local heritage of Carmarthenshire.
The benches are on display at the Urdd Eisteddfod all week for visitors and competitors to use whilst at the festival.
The benches will be distributed across parks and recreational areas within Carmarthenshire at the end of the Urdd Eisteddfod.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn said: “I strongly believe that Art and Culture can transform the lives of young people and influence their future.
“Providing creative opportunities and projects, such as project 23 will always inspire young people, and I am proud to support this activity that has provided a platform of positive upskilling activity for the young people of Carmarthenshire, who have been or at risk of being involved in crime.”
Davinia Harries-Davies, Youth Justice Manager from Carmarthenshire said: “With the funding from the Police Commissioner's office, the artist Karen McRobbie has collaborated with staff and has been helping the children with the artwork that can be seen on the benches, with the child's voice evident in the work.
"It's a pleasure to be part of Project 23, the skills and experience have been valuable to the children who work with the Youth Support Service.”
Staff and officers from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Dyfed-Powys Police are at the Eisteddfod all week, engaging with children and young people. Members from the PCC’s Youth Forum will also be in attendance who have this year been working on a youth consultation - y Sgwrs. During the Eisteddfod week, as part of the consultation, they are asking young people to share their views on the impact of mental health and alcohol and drugs mis-use on youth crime. Responses will be reviewed following the Eisteddfod ahead of a youth conference PCC Dafydd Llywelyn is to hold in July to share the findings with partners.
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