Youth services are making a real difference in supporting young people according to a Gwent MP.
Nick Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, visited Abertillery Youth Centre to see first-hand the impact of UK Government-funded youth programmes across the area.
More than 10,700 young people are supported by youth service teams in Blaenau Gwent.
He met with staff and young people involved with the 11–16 schools-based team, the EOTAS provision at The River Centre, and the Positive Futures programme.
Mr Smith said: "It was great to hear about the positive impact that our youth services are having on young people’s wellbeing and confidence.
"The youth teams across Blaenau Gwent are helping ensure that more young people stay engaged in education, feel supported, and have opportunities for the future."
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The newly refurbished centre delivers school-based programmes, mentoring schemes, and activity-based programmes.
Many of its services are funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
The visit highlighted the importance of early-help, emotional wellbeing support, and targeted intervention to reduce disengagement, improve attendance, and prevent risk-taking behaviours.
Councillor Sue Edmunds, cabinet member for children, young people, and families at Blaenau Gwent Council, said: "I was delighted to welcome Nick Smith MP to Abertillery today to see and hear for himself the amazing work of our youth services, both out in the community and in our schools.
"Youth work is not an optional extra – it is a core part of our education and wellbeing system.
"The support our teams provide helps young people stay engaged in learning, build emotional resilience, and avoid crisis."
During the visit, Mr Smith heard from youth workers who described how school-based teams deliver one-to-one and group support to improve behaviour and attendance.
The services also offer interventions for those unable to attend mainstream school and targeted programmes for young people at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).
The MP was also shown activity-based programmes that aim to reduce antisocial behaviour, highlighting the role youth services play not just in individual lives, but in supporting wider community wellbeing and safety.
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