North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin visited Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC at Ruthin Market Hall on 27 May to see how they are using funding from the Your Community, Your Choice initiative to support young people in the local community.
Your Community, Your Choice is decided through a public vote and supported by the PCC, North Wales Police, and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). The funding comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the remainder provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC is using Your Community, Your Choice funding to establish the Ruthin Youth Shed, based on the award-winning Youth Shedz programme, which started in Denbigh in 2018. The project aims to create a supportive environment where young people can be heard and encouraged, ultimately guiding them towards a brighter future. The initiative will also provide opportunities for community members to volunteer their time and expertise to mentor young people.
During his visit, the Commissioner met with Bernadette O'Malley, Director of Operations and Adam Young, Events Manager. Mr. Dunbobbin was given a tour of the Market Hall facilities where the new Youth Shedz initiative will be based and discussed the plans for creating a safe space for young people. The Youth Shedz project is being built in Ruthin’s The Old Fire Station building as part of the organisation’s multi year capital project. The cafe and 'Youth Zone' will be connected to the rest of the Ruthin Town Hall & Market complex.
Bernadette O'Malley, Director of Operations at Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC, commented: "We're incredibly grateful for this funding which allows us to establish the Ruthin Youth Shed initiative. We've identified a real need for this project through feedback from local children, parents, youth workers, and teachers who have expressed concerns about the lack of activities for young people in Ruthin.
“There have been incidents of anti-social behaviour and property damage that highlight the importance of providing alternatives for our youth. This initiative will create a space they can call their own with meaningful activities that build confidence and skills.”
Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner, said: "It was inspiring to visit Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC and see their plans for the Youth Shedz initiative. This project directly supports a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan around youth engagement.
“By providing a safe space and positive role models for young people in Ruthin, we're not just addressing concerns around anti-social behaviour, but investing in prevention and building stronger communities for the future. The Youth Shedz model has already proven successful, and I'm delighted that we can support its expansion to benefit more young people.”
PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers said: "The Ruthin Youth Shed shows how the Your Community, Your Choice fund can make a real difference at a local level. By taking proceeds of crime into positive community initiatives, we're turning a negative into a powerful force for good. We're proud to support Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC in creating this important space for young people."
North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans commented: "Early intervention and prevention are crucial in our approach to policing, and the Ruthin Youth Shed initiative aligns perfectly with this idea. By providing young people with activities, positive role models, and a sense of belonging, we can help steer them away from crime and anti-social behaviour."
For more information about Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC, visit https://artisanmarkets.wales/
To learn more about PACT, visit www.pactnorthwales.co.uk and to learn more about the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, visit www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk.
