THE deputy minister for skills and technology visited Cwmbran Centre for Young People (CCYP) to unveil a plaque marking the launch of the Progression Project.

The scheme, part of the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme, is a partnership agreement with two organisations – Ethnic Youth Support Trust in Swansea and Pembrokeshire’s Tanyard project.

Julie James AM met and talked with youth members of CCYP, which is the only centre of its kind in Wales to receive a grant from the programme.

“It is such a good partnership as it covers a large area of Wales and therein, a host of problems which young Welsh people encounter,” said the deputy minister.

“The centre has a great feel to it and you can see why it has been so successful. They obviously care greatly about the service users.

“It’s great to see the development skills on show as members of the team have worked their way up from using the service to working here,” she added.

Ms James was invited to CCYP by Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle, who made the minister aware of the work of the staff at CCYP.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of the work that CCYP does and it’s great to see them acknowledged for the fantastic job which they do. So many young people come here and learn things with which they can engage themselves in,” said Ms Neagle.

“I was keen for the minister to come along to the centre to witness the great work that the staff at CCYP are currently doing. It is a really good model of great practice – it’s thriving.”

The centre helps a range of young people in the town and the surrounding area to learn skills which can help them engage with the wider community.

“At CCYP, we work with the most vulnerable and marginalised young people, supporting them through their barriers and issues,” said David Schofield, centre manager.

“We encourage them to take ownership of their own futures.”

The deputy minister praised the work behind the scenes at the centre, which is reaping the rewards with the service users.

Ms James said: “The enthusiasm is visible not just on the faces of the service users but also the staff.

“There are two faces to the success of the centre – the outward fun side with the games and music but also the hard working behind the scenes, delivering the projects.”