Groundwork North Wales have created a project for young people aged 14-21 who are disengaged, Pre-NEET or NEET to take part in a 6 week programme that used a creative approach to engagement to allow young people to establish and be supported in developing the skills that will help them going forward in all areas of their personal and professional development.

The vision of this project was to bring together the young and old in the ‘Lleyn area’ to learn about the history and heritage of the area by drawing on the experience and memories of the older generation. We asked the elderly group to share pictures of local areas and we will compare the development and changes and create a Mural to represent the ‘Heart of the Community’.

The Creative Friends project has now come to an end and participants have received their certificates of achievement and all 12 achieved a Level 2 First Aid qualifications.  The highlight of the project was the creation of the photography work and of the mural which was exhibited in Plas Heli on Good Friday as a final celebration event. The group of participants bought their friends and families and the artist, care home manager and some of the elderly residents who were involved also came to see the exhibition and to celebrate the end of the project together. The mural will get permanently fitted in the care home next week and another celebration event in the care home will take place for the residents without mobility who were unable to attend the exhibition in Plas Heli.