Youngsters help strengthen community spirit
17 Mar 2008
Young people with special needs are helping make their community a nicer place, while working their way towards gaining one of the UK’s most popular awards for youngsters.
The 14 to 25-year-olds, members of the Special Needs Activity Centre (SNAC) in Taibach, are creating a sensory garden, decorating the centre with graffiti art, and putting on a play for their families – all as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.
The 12-month programme is being supported with the aid of a £2,500 grant from Corus, which will also include future planned community and outward bound activities.
SNAC is a registered charity formed in 1993 by parents living in the Port Talbot area who were unable to find suitable leisure facilities for special needs children in the locality. They initially ran play sessions at Taibach Community Education Centre, but realised that in order to grow, the group needed to acquire its own premises.
After receiving finance and assistance from the Community Fund, Corus and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, SNAC achieved this goal in 2000 and opened its own purpose-built centre in Margam.
A team of 12 young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme will carry out the graffiti art on the centre’s exterior walls under the watchful eye of a tutor, before transforming waste ground at the side of the building into a garden, camping out at the Gower, taking part in a drama group and then putting on a show for their parents.
“Facilities like SNAC offer a stimulating and safe environment for children and respite and reassurance for their parents,” said Corus Community spokesperson Keith Farron.
“The Duke of Edinburgh scheme is recognised as an initiative that brings out the best in young people. Corus is particularly keen to play a part in helping those at SNAC enjoy that, as well as doing something of great benefit to the local community.”
Centre Manager Dawn Sawyer said: "We’re delighted that Corus are giving their support to the children and young adults by enabling them to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
“By working in partnership with Corus, we’ll raise their expectations about the potential for achievement - thus enabling children and young adults with special needs to work together for a stronger community spirit, through integration and participation.”
