Project helps youngster make positive decisions

THE power of sport has been used to help another group of young people make more positive life choices, thanks to Bridgend County Borough Council and the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

The local authority and charity have teamed up once again to run the innovative ‘ Get on Track’ programme, which uses elite athletes as inspirational mentors.

Wales women’s rugby player Philippa Tuttiett and assistant mentor Liz Johnson – one of the country’s most successful Paralympian swimmers – guided 15 young people over five weeks of various activities from their base at the Bridgend YMCA.

As well as spending time bringing their CVs up to scratch and working on interview techniques, the group of 16 to 24 year-olds also volunteered with the Steer Social Enterprise, gained a First Aid qualification and learned about nutrition and cookery at Bridgend College.

The programme culminated with them running sports and activity sessions for pupils at Maesteg Comprehensive School just before Christmas, before their progress was recognised at a special celebration evening in the Bridgend Life Centre hosted by international rugby referee Nigel Owens.

Councillor Dhanisha Patel, the council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations said: “This latest group were our third intake of ‘Get on Track’ participants since we became the first Welsh local authority to host the programme in 2016. It’s a very effective programme, with the mentors acting as excellent role models to help young people from a range of backgrounds improve their prospects.

“Activities such as mock interviews are particularly useful, and it’s pleasing to note that within eight months of our first Get on Track programme nearly three quarters of the participants were in employment, education or training.

“This latest programme was funded by Communities First and I would like to thank all of our partners including Halo, Sport Wales, Ospreys, New Directions, Christians against Poverty and Bridgend College for their support.”

Councillor Patel add-

The ‘Get on Track’ group with their sporting mentors, rugby player Philippa Tuttiett, front left, and Liz Johnson, front right. They were also helped by Jodie Coupland, centre front, who took part in Bridgend’s first ‘Get on Track’ programme in 2016