It’s been a busy few weeks for the young people at Brighter Futures in Rhyl. Ellie, is their trainee youth worker whose post is supported by funding from the Neumark Foundation. As Ellie is being supported to build on her training and learn new skills, she is taking on greater responsibility for activities. This month, we were pleased to hear how Ellie has been supported to make a connection with Rhyl College, so that the year 11’s could attend meetings there, to explore options for courses next year. Being able to go to the college with Ellie, who is someone they trust, means that the young people can explore courses for further training and study, and be supported to achieve their potential. We are extremely proud of Ellie’s work at Brighter Futures, and the support she receives from the team to learn and develop her youth work skills.

The team also found time to arrange Halloween activities. These included a Halloween quiz, making autumnal wreaths, trip to the pumpkin patch and a Halloween party. Young people also enjoyed a blindfolded eating challenge, for healthy eating day, to encourage them to try new fruit! The young people also demonstrated their problem-solving skills by building towers and bridges to hold eggs out of spaghetti and marshmallows. These activities were developed and supported by Ellie. They are great opportunities for the young people to come together try new things and learn team building skills.

The activities at Brighter Futures have also included a performing arts skills session. Each week two students from Llandrillo College have worked with a small group of children, building up a tool kit of performing art skills. This has been really beneficial for Lucy. The team have seen Lucy’s enjoyment and enthusiasm grow, and her confidence and involvement has improved. This has been in contrast to a lack of engagement that is sometimes seen in normal session, where she would be sitting alone or on her phone. By enabling experiences like this, Brighter Futures are able to offer young people a range of events and new activities and find the things that they enjoy and that matter to them.

At The Neumark Foundation we are incredibly proud of our association with Brighter Futures and the work that it does to support the well-being of children and young people in Rhyl. Not only do they provide wonderful experiences for the young people attending, but they also look to provide trainee roles which is what Ellie is currently undertaking. By supporting Ellie’s role, she will be able to achieve professional qualifications that will allow her to use those skills in her community as a qualified youth worker. This is inspiring.  Thank you, Brighter Futures, for all you do, at The Neumark Foundation we are very proud to support your work.