Press Release: NEATH AM TELLS YOUNG PEOPLE TO ‘GET INVOLVED’

YOUNG people can offer so much to their local community if they’re given the chance, Neath AM Gwenda Thomas said today as extra money was announced to develop youth volunteering in Neath Port Talbot.

Welsh Labour Social Justice Minister Brian Gibbons AM has announced over £800,000 to encourage more young people in Wales to take up volunteering. The extra money has been earmarked to pay for volunteer projects and organisers to support young people to get involved in the local community.

Money has also been set aside to encourage young people who don’t traditionally volunteer to take up the opportunities that the extra funding will provide.

Neath's Labour AM Gwenda Thomas said:

‘’I have a great deal of admiration and respect for young people who volunteer and I am delighted that the Labour led Assembly Government has made this commitment to give more support to our young people.

‘’Young volunteers in Neath already make a huge contribution to our community. Local schools, hospitals, youth clubs, scouts, guides, sports clubs and environmental groups all benefit from young volunteers.

‘’And in turn young people get a great sense of satisfaction from volunteering and from making a positive contribution to their community.

‘’I want all of our young people to benefit from this extra funding – which is why I am keen to see more young people from disadvantaged or ethnic minority communities to get involved.’’

Press Release: NEATH AM BACKS TOUGH ACTION ON ARSON

- Welsh Labour announces £2.5m fund for arson hotspots and fire protection for local schools.

A MAJOR new drive to reduce arson attacks in Neath and protect local schools against fires in underway thanks to the Labour led Assembly Government.

Neath AM Gwenda Thomas has welcomed Welsh Labour Social Justice Minister Brian Gibbons’ announcement of a £2.5m fund over the next three years for the Arson Reduction Team in Neath Port Talbot.

The teams are made up of police and fire service personnel who use educational and crime prevention measures to reduce arson attacks, such as deliberate school fires. The extra money will allow the teams to undertake a full crime reduction survey of local schools and offer grants for extra fire protection.

Since the Arson Reduction Teams were set up in 2005 there has been a 30% reduction in deliberately set fires attended by the Fire and Rescue service of Wales – saving the Welsh economy almost £24m.

Gwenda Thomas AM said:

‘’Welsh Labour is on the side of local parents, teachers and pupils with our zero tolerance approach on arson.

‘’Extra funding for the Arson Reduction Teams will cut the number of arson attacks and prevent the devastating impact arson attacks can have.

‘’Arson attacks on schools cause widespread damage and disruption to our students and local community.

‘’The local Arson Reduction Team will be able to undertake a crime reduction survey of local schools and offer funding for security measures like secure fencing and secure bin storage.

‘’Thanks to Welsh Labour’s tough action on arson attacks our communities and schools are much safer.’’