Old Colwyn East Residents Association
Annual General Meeting ~ 13th June 2007
Minute of a talk by Mr Tim Verga-Birtles of “Making Tracks”,Colwyn Bay
Tim outlined the makeup of the Committee of Making Tracks, Eleanor Burnham AM is the Chair and the Vice Chair is Richard Lewis (Welsh College of Horticulture), Secretary is Pat Gad (YOT), Treasurer Cllr Glyn Jones (Bay of Colwyn). Committee members are from Network Rail, British Transport Police, Arriva, New Traces and the Station Manager at Colwyn Bay, Youth Choices, North Wales Police
It is managed by a charity called Cultivations which is a nationwide organisation promoting Social and Horticultural Therapy; Richard Woollatt is the coordinator of Making Tracks.
Making Tracks is funded by Environment Wales, Network Rail, Enfys, DIP, Social Risk Fund
Volunteers come from many streams and include Alternative Education, Youth Offending Team, Probation, Social Services, Sanctuary Cornerstones, DIP, Working Links, Agoriad to name but a few.
Making Tracks was developed after a meeting in 2004, between a number of agencies working with young adults in the North Wales area to reduce vandalism and antisocial behaviour in and around the railways this has happened. The project has broadened out since then and includes young people and adults with learning disabilities and mental health as well as people who just want to volunteer. It started in January 2006 and is based at Colwyn Bay Railway Station.
Funding is in place for a year, Cultivations are continually seeking funding on Making Tracks behalf.
The aim of Making Tacks is to help to address incidents of anti-social behaviour, reduce crime and help change lives through the use of horticulture, conservation and environmental activities through community lead projects.
Growing plants, gardening and maintaining green spaces can provide an opportunity to work with others, improve self-confidence and develop the potential for getting future qualifications which can open doors to employment opportunities.
Volunteers are encouraged to take ownership of tasks undertaken which in turn helps them develop a sense of self recognition and worth. Also we invite volunteers to discuss, plan and implement programs of activity. Education, training, community involvement and occupation are essential elements within this scheme.
Activities
Volunteers participate in horticulture and conservation activities, e.g. growing plants, clearing ponds, maintaining flower borders, planting trees, dry stone walling.
They undertake activities in a real working environment, work in a team, learn from experienced staff and explore the possibility of future training and the volunteers can work towards real qualifications.
Making Tracks provide safety kit & clothing for volunteers who are given opportunities to visit potential places of work and training, e.g. garden centres, conservation sites, plant nurseries and colleges. They do not need existing skills or experience, just a keen interest to take part in the activities and learn new skills.
Volunteers work hours between 9.00 am - 4.00 pm on a Wednesday and Thursday at present at a number of sites across North Wales from:
Dry stone walling in Bethesda;
Working in the Gwydyr Forest on the Labyrinth paths and they hope to build a pond there during the summer;
Hanging baskets for Colwyn Bay Railway Station;
Bodelwyddan Castle working in the courtyard and castle gardens;
The RSPB Conwy between January and May developing an artificial sand martin nest site; With that project with it being a man made area, the sand was continually falling away while the birds were trying to nest, using 40 volunteers for 300 hours over 18 weeks the area has been transformed, they are continually doing new projects there.
They have cleared paths of weeds with the Countryside Services.
Maintain the Cheshire Homes gardens in Colwyn Heights.
With the organisers of Colwyn in Bloom maintain the willow sculptures in Colwyn.
A two day Dry Stone walling course was attended by volunteers in Bethesda. The volunteers gained a certificate of attendance for the two days and if they want to carry on and do an exam for the basic dry stone walling which is on the way to being a professional. Everything is about putting in time to learn new skills and developing self.
The wall in Old Colwyn took four days working on Thursdays. There were generally 2 staff plus four volunteers and it was a really worthwhile project.
The group has also worked with Cliff Prout in Beach road and Fairy Glen.
Making Tracks is open to people who:
Want to get involved in volunteering and are aged 14+
Fancy a change of routine and want to do something active
Like working outdoors
Want an opportunity to make a new start
Want a chance to develop work skills
They may have been involved in crime or anti-social behaviour but don't have to be.
There was a question regarding how the group is contacted for jobs.
Tim replied that they are happy to supply labour for any community related project to do any job.
The Chair added that there are a many non academic young people and this type of opportunity is fantastic to allow those who are good with their hands to get involved into the work-stream.
There was a question about whether the Council could assist with securing funding for the project as it had so many benefits for the community and young people who take part.
Councillor Cowans interjected that Making Tracks now have a record of evidence which they can use to advantage when applying for funding, it is a success story.
The secretary asked was there a recognised course that young people attend or does it depend on the project on offer, Tim replied that the young people put in the hours to get a Making Tracks Certificate, projects undertaken can be used towards their ASDAN qualifications and OCN's and life skills through the Welsh College of Horticulture, the organisation can contribute a reference for the person.
In reply to a question from the Chair, Tim added that if young people are interested but cannot attend during the school term that provision can be made for them to attend in holiday times.
In reply to a question about how many project workers there are, Tim replied that there are six employed members of staff.
The whole idea is to get volunteers into paid employment.
Because of available funding they only work Wednesday and Thursdays, it may well be that because of some work in Llanrwst it may open up another day.
Councillor Squire said that he had been at a project in Conwy last week called “Built for Life” where perhaps non academic young people are encouraged to learn new skills, he added that some are doing it at Minafon Flats; doing the flats up themselves to live in, the idea being that they will look after them. One young lady was so good at joinery that she has been given work as an apprentice.
Cliff Prout spoke of the good work that the Making Tracks has done for his projects and encouraged members to write letters of support if they felt strongly about what had been done. Such letters are helpful it is a very important issue that Making Tracks should continue, the community benefit from the scheme greatly.
David Curtis
Secretary
Preparation