Project is delivering for youth

Pennywell Youth Project (PYP) is celebrating more than 30 years in business and is described today as a ‘godsend.’

The plaudits for this organisation are well-deserved as too is the group’s nomination for a Best of Wearside award. It’s a no-brainer really. PYP has been at the heart of youth programmes on Wearside aimed at giving children and young adults a fighting chance.

And their work is needed and, hopefully, appreciated more than ever.

For a growing few in our community, groups like PYP is an essential, not a luxury. Rather than living in a country which is improving the lives of the most vulnerable of children, in one major area things are getting worse.

The number of people living in poverty across the UK stands, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, at a worrying 14 million people. More than four million children are in poverty and the numbers are going up, not down. Which is why what PYP offers is so vital.

The team not only boasts a community cafe offering free food and drink to the unemployed and a support network for those suffering in isolation, but provides learning programmes and workshops to get them on the employment ladder.

Project manager Cassandra O’Neil said: “That is fantastic. It is wonderful to get that accreditation for all the hard work and commitment shown by everyone, by staff, local residents and we do have a lot of volunteers who contribute. This project is a lifeline to many of our volunteers so to get this acknowledgement is great.”

Her thanks are appreciated, but in truth, it is Wearside who should be thanking them.