Staff and volunteers from Cwmbran Centre for Young People are distributing ‘care packs’ and sending out postcards to give young people ‘a lift’.

These are just some of the services that they have quickly introduced to support the many young people who would normally visit their centre up to six days a week.

The centre’s Facebook page is used to run fun quizzes, fitness session, games and live video events.

Joanne Phillis, the centre manager, said: “We are providing ‘essential care packages’ and distributing them to anybody who needs it. The packages contain things like toilet rolls, body wash, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary products, vitamins, biscuits, treats and deodorant.

“Digital care packages’ consisting of a laptop, charger, headphones and universal phone charger have been loaned out to our most vulnerable young people to ensure they can stay in contact at home, communicate with friends and family, and access our counselling service. The kit also means young people can continue to be mentored by centre staff and take part in learning and development.

“We are providing activity packs for juniors which contain art and craft materials, soil, planting pots and seeds to grow. They also include activity books with instructions for what young people can create with what they have, colouring books, felts and paints.”

“Food parcels are provided to our most vulnerable young people, families and vulnerable members of the community. We have collection and delivery procedures for these and our c-card scheme (free condoms and sexual health advice and support).

“We are also sending out weekly greeting cards and postcards to our young people just to give them a ‘lift’ and remind them that they are cared for and matter. An elderly resident made some knitted hearts to donate to us and these have gone out with greetings cards to some of our most isolated young people that depend on the centre socially.”

The packages have been a “lifeline”

“These care packages have been a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people we support. Some of the feedback we have received from young people has been amazing as to the difference it has made to them in the current situation.”

Earlier this year the centre was given cash that had been seized from criminals so it could employ more youth workers and open for extra nights in the week. The money came from The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, who handed over the funding from the Proceeds of Crime Act.