Funding of £64,000 is to be spent on teaching youngsters the importance of healthy interpersonal relationships.
Regener8 Cymru, based out of the Educ8 Training Centre in Ystrad Mynach, has received the cash from Caerfilli Cwm a Mynydd – Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Rural Development Programme.
The not-for-profit company will run courses aimed at 14 to 25-year-olds. Split into eight sessions, the courses will include topics such as respectful relationships, domestic abuse, gender stereotyping, sexual consent, ‘sexting’ – the sending of explicit messages, pornography, sexual exploitation and perception.
Penny Chapman, head of Regener8 Cymru, believes the programme can help youngsters make “informed choices” when it comes to relationships.
She said: “I think if we’re going in at 14 years of age, when they’re still in school, and we’re talking to them about what healthy relationships are, what is and is not acceptable behaviour, then we’re making them aware on how people should behave and what is appropriate.
“If you don’t have that information, then you might not know if you encounter inappropriate behaviour until after it’s happened. This is all about raising awareness.”
The company is working with providers such as social services, youth offending services, and local colleges and comprehensive schools to deliver the programme.
Penny added: “I did quite a lot of research before I applied for funding to see what was being delivered in Caerphilly.
“As much as the police and schools cover a lot of the subject areas, it simply isn’t as in-depth as it might be. They may do one subject a year, whereas this is eight sessions and covers a multitude of areas.
“Teachers don’t have the time to deliver that amount, and we offer helpline information in the case of a disclosure too.”
Each session lasts an hour, and is co-run by a man and woman.
Penny, who has previously worked with abusers and victims, added: “The funding has taken around a year to sort out but it’s been amazing.
“It’ll cover us for the first year but it would be great if we could roll this out permanently all the time.
“It’s very interactive with scenarios, true and false activities, and participants are very involved. It’s not a dull presentation.”
The first courses are due to be delivered in December.
Cllr Nigel George, Caerphilly County Borough Council Cabinet Member, said: “We’re delighted that Regener8 Cymru has been successful in gaining funding from the Cwm a Mynydd Local Action Group to deliver its STAR (Safety, Trust and Respect) pilot project.
“The project will aim to increase awareness of healthy relationships, encourage and support changes in attitudes around the impact of abusive behaviour and to raise awareness of the support agencies available across Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent.
“I wish the project every success going forward in addressing what is a very serious issue.”
• For more information on the project, call Penny Chapman on 07432 011758.