A group of 10 young people from Neath Port Talbot recently hit the high seas, supported by the Council’s Youth Service Families First team, as they completed a sailing expedition around the coast of Britain.
The week-long journey took place aboard the Tectona, the largest vessel in the fleet of the Island Trust, a registered charity specialising in providing challenging sailing adventures.
Despite the challenges presented by sailing this traditional tall ship, not least the six large sails to keep the young crew busy all week; they soon found their sea legs, not only achieving sailing qualifications but even racing the vessel in the ASTO small ships race.
In the face of tough competition the group’s hard work saw them finish in third place in two of their races and receive an award at the closing ceremony for being the youngest crew to take part.
In addition, the young people successfully completed an entry-level Royal Yachting Association Training Course.
The expedition was funded through the Welsh Government’s Families First programme and subsidised by the Island Trust.
Cllr Peter Rees, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture said: “Neath Port Talbot Council’s Youth Service, through funded programmes such as Families First, is working alongside partners to engage and inspire young people across the county borough, including those who may be facing particularly difficult situations or barriers.”
“It is our aim to give all young people the best possible start in life and activities such as these give participants a chance to broaden their horizons in a rare and unique way. I am very proud of this group for how they have made the most of this special and fantastic opportunity.”
“They return to shore having developed their confidence, skills and capabilities through learning to sail, navigate and passage plan; as well as experiencing independent living and how to work together as a crew.”
The week finished off on a high for the group as they were joined during the journey home by a pod of dolphins that swam alongside the ship.
The Neath Port Talbot Council Youth Service Families First team provides individual and group support to young people aged 8 – 24 years old, to help during periods of transition, build resilience, develop skills and offer new opportunities that enable young people to reach their full potential.
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Taith hwylio'n helpu pobl ifanc i ddilyn llwybr newydd
Aeth criw o 10 o bobl ifanc o Gastell-nedd Port Talbot ar daith hwylio'n ddiweddar, gyda chefnogaeth tîm Teuluoedd yn Gyntaf Gwasanaeth Ieuenctid y cyngor, gan gwblhau alldaith hwylio o gwmpas arfordir Prydain.
Cynhaliwyd y daith wythnos o hyd ar fwrdd y Tectona, y llong fwyaf yn llynges yr Island Trust, elusen gofrestredig sy'n arbenigo mewn darparu anturiaethau hwylio heriol.
Er gwaethaf yr heriau a gafwyd wrth hwylio'r llong hwyliau fawr hon, yn enwedig y chwe hwyl fawr a fu'n cadw'r criw ifanc yn brysur drwy'r wythnos, daethant i arfer â'r môr yn gyflym, gan ennill cymwysterau hwylio yn ogystal â rasio'r llong yn ras llongau bach ASTO.
Yn wyneb cystadleuaeth gref, oherwydd gwaith caled y grwp, daethant yn drydydd mewn dwy o'u rasys, gan dderbyn gwobr yn y seremoni gau am fod y criw ieuengaf i gymryd rhan.
Yn ogystal, llwyddodd y bobl ifanc i gwblhau Cwrs Hyfforddiant Lefel Mynediad y Gymdeithas Hwylio Frenhinol.
Ariannwyd yr alldaith drwy raglen Teuluoedd yn Gyntaf Llywodraeth Cymru, gyda chymhorthdal gan yr Island Trust.
Meddai'r Cyng. Peter Rees, Aelod y Cabinet dros Addysg, Sgiliau a Diwylliant, "Mae gwasanaeth ieuenctid Castell-nedd Port Talbot, drwy raglenni a ariennir fel Teuluoedd yn Gyntaf, yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid i ennyn diddordeb ac ysbrydoli pobl ifanc ledled y fwrdeistref sirol, gan gynnwys y rhai sydd efallai'n wynebu sefyllfaoedd neu rwystrau arbennig o anodd."
"Ein nod yw rhoi'r dechrau gorau posib mewn bywyd i bob person ifanc, ac mae gweithgareddau fel y rhain yn rhoi cyfle i gyfranogwyr ehangu eu gorwelion mewn ffordd brin ac unigryw. Rwy'n falch iawn o'r grwp hwn am y ffordd y maent wedi gwneud yn fawr o'r cyfle arbennig ac unigryw hwn."
"Maent yn dychwelyd i'r lan wedi datblygu eu hyder, eu sgiliau a'u galluoedd drwy ddysgu i hwylio, llywio a chynllunio mordeithiau; yn ogystal â phrofi byw'n annibynnol a sut i gydweithio fel criw."
Daeth yr wythnos i ben ar uchafbwynt i'r grwp oherwydd ar y daith adref, ymunodd ysgol o ddolffiniaid â nhw, gan nofio wrth ochr y llong.
Mae tîm Teuluoedd yn Gyntaf Gwasanaeth Ieuenctid Castell-nedd Port Talbot yn darparu cefnogaeth unigol a grwp i bobl ifanc rhwng 8 a 24 oed, i'w helpu drwy gyfnodau o newid i ddatblygu gwydnwch a sgiliau. Mae hefyd yn cynnig cyfleoedd newydd i bobl ifanc sy'n eu galluogi i gyrraedd eu potensial llawn.
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