Motivational Case Studies
Dowlais Engine House Community Projects, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil
Related tags: Community
Date Added: Thu, 20 Jan 2011
Background
Indoor Rowing is a new activity added to the comprehensive programme of sport, recreation and arts at one of the top community projects in Wales. Located on the High Street in Dowlais, just a mile south of the A465 Heads of the Valley Road at the top of the Merthyr Tydfil Valley, there's a community that is turning itself around and it's all down to the vision of one man and his team working at The Engine House Community Project.
It began in 2000 when Paul Marshallsea who has lived in Merthyr Tydfil all his life seized the chance to take a rundown historic listed landmark building – The Dowlais Blast Engine House and transform it into a venue for the Pant & Dowlais Boys and Girls Club. He has become a champion for young people, their families and the wider community after turning the old building into a hub where youngsters can find a direction in their lives and purpose with their spare time.
Paul begged the local authority to lease him the building and along with £1million in funding he managed to transform the venue to create a place where hundreds of youngsters are involved in activities such as dance classes, drama, music lessons, computers and sport. The Engine House Community Project provides a place for children to relax and for young people to socialise and do something positive.
Paul Marshallsea, Project Co-ordinator
"When I discovered that my son was taking drugs ten years ago and realised that half the community was suffering from similar problems I decided to go out and do something about it. That something was the development of The Dowlais Engine House as it is today."
“We feel as a team at The Dowlais Engine House Community Project, although having achieved so much so far, there is still so much more that can be offered to the community. Our development over the next few years will make significant changes for the Dowlais community and the whole of Merthyr Tydfil.”
Funding was eventually secured and in 2005 the building was officially opened by Prince Charles. It now employs 10 people. Paul says the key to success is 100% commitment, listening to feedback from the users and running a busy programme to keep everyone on their toes.
A youth club is open from 4.00pm through to 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights run by trained and qualified professionals, and attended by over 250 each night. Each week more and more young people are coming to join in with the line-up of challenges and it’s not just the locals. Children and teenagers from other parts of Merthyr and the neighbouring Valleys travel to up to 15 miles to enjoy a wide range activities and sports: Rhymney, Ebbw Vale to the East and Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf to the West.
Raith Plant, Youth Inclusion Officer
" Raith heads the growing sport and physical activity programme and is a qualified Concept2 Indoor Rowing Instructor and will now be able to raise fitness levels for youngsters playing sport and also those who are not part of team. He is excited about using the Indoor Rowers to improve strength and stamina for the footballers as well as helping many more of the regular users. The Indoor Rowers will also be available for adults when they drop in during the day for help with CV writing and learning IT skills. With unemployment numbers being pushed higher - the Hoover factory closing - using the Indoor Rowers will play a part in helping improve fitness and building self esteem for adults during the day.
Indoor Rowers will also be used for:
- Fitness for football and netball teams
- Girl’s circuit training
- Adult drop in during the day
- Staff and volunteer health and well-being programme
- Have a Go Open Days
- Summer time introduction for Rowing at Cardiff Bay Watersports Centre
- Merthyr Tydfil Indoor Rowing Competition – February 2010
- Involving the Police Community Support Officers taking Indoor Rowers to the local schools
As a direct result of The Engine House encouraging participation for youngsters, Dowlais Inspector Andy Evans of the South Wales Police and his team report that anti social behaviour has dropped by 80% in this community in the last four years. Paul has helped keep the children off the streets, preventing them from taking drugs and alcohol and he has many examples of youngsters whose lives have been turned around by participating in the programme at The Engine House.
In a recent study for The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, researchers claimed that just 16% of a child’s education occurred at school. The staff at The Engine House Community Project would not want to presume anything but (modestly) believe their activities go some way to contribute towards learning in its fullest sense. The wide range of activities provided for young people fits with initiatives of local, regional and national importance:
- Opportunities for young people: after school Monday to Friday, in the afternoon and evening, throughout the weekend and during school holidays
- Active and healthy communities: ensuring opportunities are in place and sustainable for promoting well-being for all
- A cared for living environment: serving the local neighbourhood through creative projects Involving many people to share the experience
Dowlais and Pant are on either side of the Heads of the Valleys road. It’s an economy impaired by second and third generation unemployment. In the 2006 “Communities that Care” consultation, undertaken on behalf of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council states that of those children surveyed from the Dowlais Ward:
- 9% have been excluded from School.
- 10% admit to playing truant for 3 or more days in a 4 week period
- 16% stated that their brothers/sisters had been excluded from school
- 5% admitted to vandalising property and doing graffiti in their area
- 11% do not feel they could ask Parents for help if they had a personal problem.
Why it works:
- Provides an open door facility which welcomes the whole community
- Teaches young people the boundaries of good manners towards each other and respect for self, possessions and property
- Promotes and encourages healthier lifestyles
- Renews hope, self-esteem and builds confidence.
- Develops personal reliance to make wise and self-supporting choices for life
- Ensures equal opportunity for all community groups
- Assists young people in their transition to independence as they mature and...
- To take up positive citizenship within their neighbourhood to create a sustainable community through environment projects
- Provides an open door facility which welcomes the whole community
Further information visit: www.dowlaisenginehouse.co.uk Back to all Case Studies