Student Support Scheme in Wrexham Continues to Go From Strength to Strength

A successful partnership which supports vulnerable students in Wrexham has been praised by a local politician.

Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths AM, recently visited the Venture in Caia Park to hear more about the Venture Alternative Learning (VAL) Programme, which has predominantly helped pupils from Rhosnesni High School for almost eight years.

The project works with young people between the ages of 13 and 16 who are disengaged with education, emotionally vulnerable or most at risk with becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

Currently the Venture offers three courses; Joinery & Construction, Art & Craft and the Prince’s Trust Achieve programme. The projects provide a range of experiences, qualifications and accreditations that aim to nurture the young people and their families, re-engage them with education and help them focus on their move into further education or employment. The courses are delivered by staff at the Venture.

Welsh Government funding will support the VAL courses until March 2018 and the Venture are confident new funding sources will be secured due to the success of the scheme.

Moving forward, the Venture has ambitious plans to launch additional courses and is keen to further involve Rhosnesni School in the design of future projects to utilise their expertise, as well as ensure key priorities and the needs of the students are met.

Lesley Griffiths AM, who is patron of the Venture, recently visited the facility to speak with participating students. She said: “For almost 40 years, the Venture has provided a wide range of support services for countless children and young people in the area.”

“The VAL courses are a perfect example of partnership working. The scheme has achieved excellent results and undoubtedly had a positive impact on students, helping break down barriers to improve young people’s learning, health and wellbeing.

“I congratulate the Venture and Rhosnesni School on everything they have achieved so far and I will do all I can to support the arrangement moving forward.

Venture Co-Founder and local councillor, Malcolm King commented: “We have worked very closely with local schools over the years, particularly Rhosnesni, and together have helped many children and young people, who had been struggling, to achieve their best.”

“As a result, for the last 7 years, every one of our VAL students have gone onto college, work or training which is a brilliant achievement. We are very proud of them.”

Nic Harrison, Head Teacher at Rhosnesni School added: “Ysgol Rhosnesni is grateful for the work that The Venture has undertaken with so many students over the years in supporting them to achieve valuable skills and experiences, which have in turn supported every student to move forward and secure further education and training opportunities.”

Pictured – Lesley Griffiths AM and Rhosnesni students in front of mural painted by the students as part of the Art & Craft course at the Venture.