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Conwy's Youth Justice helps Red Cross and local care homes


December 29, 2020 - 889 views

The Conwy and Denbighshire Youth Justice team have been finding creative ways to overcome the restrictions of the Coronavirus pandemic to continue their valuable work with young people.

The Youth Justice Team work with young people aged between 8 and 18 years old to help prevent anti-social behaviour, offending or re-offending.

Some of the young people that work with team are required to demonstrate how they can give back to the community. Due to the pandemic the young people turned their efforts to coming up with specific and innovative ideas for Christmas.

They have put together 20 gift boxes which are being donated to the British Red Cross and Conwy Vulnerable People’s Service. The boxes include homemade Christmas cards, decorations, coasters, cups and painted pebbles with positive quotes on them which are all made by the young people.

The team has also worked with various shops to assist the young people with this project, including Asda who donated chocolates for the boxes.

Another part of this project is supporting care homes. The young people decided to create Christmas planters to bring some joy into the care homes’ gardens.

These planters have been filled with plants donated by B&Q, Garden World and Tan Lan Nurseries and gift wrapped. To add some extra Christmas spirit they have made reindeers out of various outdoors materials to go alongside the planters.

One of the young people involved in the project, said, “I’m glad to be doing something outdoors and meaningful, especially when it means I can help older people during COVID-19.”

The young people are also taking part in a Christmas video for the residential homes, this will give them an opportunity to showcase their musical and directing talents as they put together some carols and Christmas messages.

Cheryl Carlisle, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Safeguarding, said, “These activities are just part of the important work that the Youth Justice team do to support young people and their families.

"By working with young people who might be at risk of offending, and with those who have offended to help them give back to the community and help prevent re-offending, the Team’s work can make a real difference to their lives.”