WREXHAM’S Youth Justice Service will be piloting a new scheme over the summer holidays aimed at helping young people who are at risk of offending.
The Summer Arts College is a six-week programme which aims to re-integrate young people into education, training and employment and reduce their offending behaviour.
Ten youngsters, aged 14-19, will take part and activities including photography, visual art and drama under the theme I See You; You See Me.
Based at Glyndr University, the Summer Arts College will provide the teenagers with opportunities for relevant and inspirational visits as well as classrooms for the activities and a fully-equipped computer suite.
People attending will begin by undergoing literacy and numeracy tests.
One activity will see participants create a piece of artwork that will go on display at a local care home for the elderly.
There will also be a photography project led by Ray Chan, a freelance photographer who has worked with Jarvis Cocker, Microsoft, Adidas and Sony.
He will help the young people create a photographic documentary, taking in shots of the people and places that are important to them.
They will also create and perform their own puppet show for children in the crèche at Glyndr University as well as a drama based on their thoughts and experiences, which will be overseen by Theatre in Prisons and Probation.
At the end of the six-week period there will be a special Celebration Event where young people can show off what they’ve learnt and produced to parent, families and carers.
David Henderson, education co-ordinator for the service, said: “Hopefully by the end of the Summer Arts College each young person will have formed positive relationships with young people and staff from the Criminal Justice Service.
“It will also provide them with an opportunity to work with professionals who are positive role models.”
