Deputy Commissioner visits Gwent Scouts to see how funding has been put to good use

Gwent Scouts offers challenge and adventure to over 2500 young people in Gwent between the ages of six and 25 . They organise a range of activities for young people encouraging members to fulfil their potential by working in teams, often working toward awards.

The funding of £4498 is being used to provide a formalised programme of leadership training to 14-18 year olds who act as "young leaders" in the younger sections of the movement. This will be in the form of four residential training weekends and participants will be made up of Scouts and young people recommended by the Youth Offending Team and Youth Service.

The Scouts attain a recognised qualification and the young people will gain an insight into scouting and perhaps take it up as a hobby. The Gwent Police Property Fund is raised from the sale of property and cash seized from criminals, as well as the disposal of unclaimed lost property. Organisations receiving the funding have to show that the funds will be used to support and contribute towards the priorities that are set out in the Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan by helping to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour or divert people away from crime.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Paul Harris visited the group at the Botany Bay Training Activity Centre in Tintern at the weekend: "The Scout movement is a fantastic vocation for young people. Not only are they providing positive diversionary activities for them, they are also teaching youngsters skills, to work within a team and to learn and think for themselves. The Young Leaders programme ensures that inspirational youngsters are also passing these skills on,"

Peter Sheppard, a senior volunteer from Gwent Scouts said: "It's fantastic to be able to inspire and train young people to become leaders both now and in the future. The funding has enabled us to provide a series of challenging courses than enable young people to help deliver an adventurous programme."