PCC Andy Dunbobbin visits Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC
PCC Andy Dunbobbin spent time at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, at the Beacon Climbing Centre, on Sunday, May 18, to witness how the centre is using funding from the 'Your Community, Your Choice' initiative to support people recovering from substance addiction.
Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, in partnership with North Wales Recovery Communities, is using the funding to run a climbing programme for individuals who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
Many participants also face mental health challenges and have previous involvement in the criminal justice system.
The climbing sessions take place at the Beacon Climbing Centre and outdoors in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, and see participants learn climbing techniques, practice teamwork through belaying and group problem-solving, and build confidence by confronting physical and mental challenges.
During his visit, PCC Dunbobbin toured the facilities, spoke with programme leaders, and observed a demonstration session.
He said: "It was inspiring to visit Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC and see firsthand how they're using this funding to support individuals on their recovery journey.
"This initiative aligns with my Police and Crime Plan's focus on crime prevention and building resilient communities."
Rachael Hobbs, adventure co-ordinator at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, added: "This funding is transformative for our climbing programme.
"We ran a successful pilot last year that showed benefits for participants.
"The support from 'Your Community, Your Choice' means we can make this programme accessible to more people in recovery and create sustainable positive change in their lives.
"By scheduling these sessions on Monday evenings, we're not only teaching valuable skills but providing a healthy start to the week that helps their recovery journey."
Ashley Rogers, chairman of the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), said: "Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC's climbing programme represents exactly what 'Your Community, Your Choice' is about – using funds seized from criminal activity to create positive opportunities that prevent future crime.
"We're proud to support such an innovative project."
Over the past 12 years, the 'Your Community, Your Choice' scheme has awarded nearly £660,000 to 214 initiatives working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and support the priorities in the PCC's Police and Crime Plan.
READ MORE: Ceremony marks the start of work on 54 new homes in Anglesey
Funding comes partly from money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest contributed by the PCC.
For more details on Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, visit https://penybrynoutdoor.cymru/
To learn more about PACT, visit www.pactnorthwales.co.uk and to learn more about the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, visit www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Leader Live
Llay charity gets funding to raise autism awareness
Your Space, a charity that supports young people with autism and their families, was successful in securing funding for their autism awareness project from the Your Community, Your Choice fund. The Your Community, Your Choice fund is supported by the North Wales Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). The funding partly comes from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the remainder provided by the PCC. With this funding, Your Space will deliver autism presentations and awareness talks in schools, led by their Autism Champion, Andrew Edwards. Mr Edwards, who is autistic and has years of experience in raising the profile of autism within various settings, aims to create a better understanding of neurodiversity within schools. The group discovered that a lack of understanding of neurodiversity among school staff is one of the most significant barriers faced by children. This can lead to many children becoming school refusers and being negatively influenced by peers, potentially leading them into criminal activity. Through their project, Your Space aims to upskill all school staff so that autistic individuals are understood and supported to make positive life choices. On June 17, PCC Andy Dunbobbin visited the charity to learn more about their work and the aims of the initiative. He said: "I was delighted to visit Your Space and learn about their very worthwhile project to raise awareness of autism in education. "As Police and Crime Commissioner, I have made equality, diversity and inclusion a core part of my plan for fighting crime in North Wales and that is why a project like Your Space, with its focus on neurodiversity, is so vital for helping support people in the region." Along with the Assistant Chief Constable of North Wales Police Gareth Evans, Dave Evans from PACT, and local PCSOs Lisa Davies and Catherine Griffiths-Hughes, Mr Dunbobbin was given a tour of the Llay Park Resource Centre facility by the founder of Your Space, Rachel Hancocks, the Autism Champion Andrew Edwards, and the events and communications co-ordinator, Charlotte Roberts. Ms Hancocks said: "It's really positive that we received this funding through a community vote, which means that people are gaining more awareness of the issues autistic people face and our work is now able to reach further." PACT chairman Ashley Rogers, recognising the importance of their work, said: "Your Community, Your Choice is all about local people deciding where money should be invested for the good of their neighbourhood. "Organisations like Your Space do incredible work to help people across our society and I am delighted we have been able to support them in their work." READ MORE: Here's why hundreds of people gathered at Flintshire shrine over the weekend Assistant Chief Constable of North Wales Police Gareth Evans added: "It is only right that money seized from criminals should be reinvested to do good in the community. "That's why I am delighted that money from the Your Community, Your Choice fund has gone to help Your Space and its focus on supporting people with autism in society." Over the past 12 years, Your Community, Your Choice has awarded almost £660,000 to 214 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods. To find out more about Your Space, visit:
South Wales Guardian
7 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Dyfed-Powys Police rolling out safety scheme across force
Dyfed-Powys Police will now use disruption teams as part of Project Vigilant, which aims to prevent sexual and violent offences before they happen. Project Vigilant was first piloted in Carmarthenshire over the Christmas period and will now be expanded force-wide. Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: "This was a new project for Dyfed-Powys Police that we trialled over the busy Christmas period. "It is an innovative approach to keeping vulnerable people safe while they're out in the evening that has been successful in other forces, and I am pleased to confirm that we will soon be adopting the project across all four divisions." The scheme uses plain-clothed officers trained to spot predatory behaviour, supported by uniformed colleagues who intervene to disrupt potential offences before they occur. Officers are deployed based on intelligence to ensure they are in the right place at the right time. The teams use behavioural observation training to identify individuals displaying predatory behaviour, allowing uniformed officers to step in when necessary. The pilot was funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner under the Serious Violence Duty. On one night during the pilot, plain-clothed officers helped safeguard a vulnerable woman who had become separated from her friends. Uniformed officers were alerted and ensured she got home safely. Chief Inspector Jones said: "Everyone should feel safe on a night out, and nobody should feel the need to change their behaviour to avoid becoming a victim. "By looking out for potential predators, we will ultimately be changing the behaviours of those who could cause harm and making our communities safer for all." Officers involved in the project have praised the training and approach. One officer said: "The input about what behaviours to look out for while on foot patrol is really beneficial to all, protecting members of the public by asking these individuals what they are doing, and being professionally curious. "That one interaction could stop a sexual assault as the suspect will know they're being watched." PCC Dafydd Llywelyn welcomed the wider rollout. Mr Llywelyn said: "I'm pleased to see Project Vigilant now being rolled out across all four divisions following a successful pilot over the Christmas period. "This is a proactive and intelligence-led approach that puts officers in the right place at the right time to identify and disrupt predatory behaviour before harm is caused."
North Wales Chronicle
21-06-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales Police's performance on hate crime scrutinised
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for North Wales scrutinised the force's performance at the strategic executive board. The board meeting was chaired by police and crime commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin. Chief constable of North Wales Police, Amanda Blakeman, provided an update on the force's overall performance. This included aspects such as finance and resourcing, collaboration, and the strategic policing requirement. The main focus of the meeting was a detailed examination of the force's performance relating to hate crime and EDI. The commissioner heard updates on public satisfaction data relating to hate crime, including the ease of contact, actions taken by the police, follow-up, and treatment. Other areas scrutinised included community tensions and prevention measures, the supporting role of the independent advisory group, and progress towards achieving the North Wales Police Joint Strategic Equality Plan 2023-2027 objectives. The commissioner also scrutinised the culture within North Wales Police. The force's commitment to improving workplace culture, the ongoing work of the culture board, and the efforts of the culture and inclusion task group were discussed. Mr Dunbobbin said: "As I outlined in my police and crime plan, I will continue to use the strategic executive board to provide me with the opportunity to scrutinise how the chief constable is performing in key areas." He added: "A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim's personal characteristics (or perceived personal characteristics) such as disability, race, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or transgender identity. "I have always been clear that regardless of the reason, it is completely unacceptable. "I wanted to ask the chief constable what work has been done in this area and to be reassured that previous good work has continued. "I was pleased that work such as the Joint Strategic Equality Plan 2023-2027 is progressing. "I was reassured that the chief constable, continues to drive forward these and many other workstreams that are addressing the issues raised, particularly around marginalised communities and striving to having a truly representative workforce. "My team and I will continue the analysis and these important areas to check progress continues." He provided reassurance to the public that he will continue to scrutinise the force's performance and work closely with the chief constable to support ongoing work.
