From the beginning of October until December 2011 there were 13 enthusiastic young people from Gŵyr and Bryntawe schools initiated and participated on a course for Young people known as the GIBI. The project which extends the horizons of Young people in Swansea on the concepts of Youth work and allows them to work with young people.

Menter Iaith Abertawe have worked closely with the Swansea Youth Service and the City and County of Swansea to provide the course of ten weeks at Canoldre Youth Centre on Monday evenings.

During the course the Young people learn about a variety of attitudes to do with youth work such as ‘the ideal youth worker’, theories associated with the work, considerations about equal opportunities and opportunities to work in the community.

As part of the course there is an opportunity also for young people to attend weekend residentials in Rhosili, on the Gower Peninsula to concentrate on aspects such as Health and Safety, Globalisation and preparing to introduce and delivering micro-sessions on subjects such as the dangers of the misuse of drugs and alcohol

A specific thank you goes to Angharad Jenkins for co-ordinating the course in 2011 and to Dai Bryer from the Urdd and Paul Worsfold from the Swansea Youth Service for taking specific sessions during the course.

A big congratulations to the 13 for passing the course this year.

The course opens doors for Young people to be qualified and be employed by Menter Iaith Abertawe as a youth worker in our weekly clubs or voluntarily in our frequent activities.

There is an opportunity for 15 young people between 16 and 26 to participate in the course which is held annually. If you are interested in registering in September 2012 for the next course then contact Menter Iaith Abertawe on 01792 460906 or e-mail menter@menterabertawe.org

Picture: Angharad Jenkins: main co-ordinator of the GIBI course