Arriva Trains Wales | YOUNG OFFENDERS SEND OUT THE RIGHT SIGNALS

YOUNG OFFENDERS SEND OUT THE RIGHT SIGNALS

Six young offenders from Merthyr Tydfil have joined forces with Arriva Trains Wales to help in a station makeover at Quaker’s Yard.

Quaker's Yard Before The aim of the project was to offer young people a chance to give something positive back to the community and repair the harm caused by their offence.

During two days at the station, the youngsters worked with supervisors and staff to help paint perimeter railings covering the entire length of the platform. They also assisted with the application of anti-climb paint to the station waiting shelter, which has previously been the scene of anti-social behaviour.

Matthew Jameson, Reparation Officer for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: “Our role involves organising and supervising reparation with young people aged 11 to 18 who have been made subjects of community orders.”

He continued; “The Quakers Yard project is a great example of young people from the surrounding area becoming involved in a positive exercise that can benefit the wider community. The boys who took part in the project got a great sense of satisfaction from a job well done and it meant more to them because of the locality to their own homes.

Quaker's Yard After “These types of projects also give the young people an opportunity of experiencing what it is like to repair the damage caused by young people who have committed physical damage to the community and so hopefully deterring them from committing more or similar offences.”

Martyn Tudor, property maintenance supervisor for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “Some of the youngsters may not previously have had the opportunity to work on projects such as this. In working with the team, we have been able to help them learn a new skill and understand the importance of teamwork and personal responsibility.”

He continued: “We are pleased with the final result, which has helped further improve the appearance of the station for the benefit of our passengers.”