Community Benefits

We expect many benefits as a result of this project:

Social cohesion.

The nature of IgniteHope enables good relationships and mutual benefits between the parties involved - such as young people, local churches, local authorities, community groups and the police.

Developing a volunteer culture.

The Welsh Assembly has stated that: “volunteering, through community participation, helps young people to understand what it is to be a citizen and to develop their self awareness about living and participating effectively and responsibly within a community. Good volunteering experiences provide a range of opportunities for personal development and help to equip young people for their working and non-working lives”. Churches are very experienced in raising up volunteers through the provision of the many youth and community services that they provide. A bi-product of the weekend will be a broadening of the volunteer culture in South Wales.

Crime Reduction.

In other areas where projects similar to this have taken place, there has been a noticeable reduction in crime. This was also the case in Cardiff during previous IgniteHope weekends.

Inter-Agency Working.

Key partnerships will be developed between the volunteers, churches, local government, police and other community groups. As with all the other benefits, this will be sustained beyond the weekend.

Improving Relationships with the Vulnerable.

One of the most frequent complaints to the police is regarding the gathering of young people. Many of these complaints come from the elderly. We believe that this project will present young people in a more positive light and thus improve inter-generational relationships. It will also serve to reduce complaints to the police. This is one example of how this initiative can manifest better relationships with disparate social groups.

Youth Engagement.

The project will engage 700+ teenagers in positive action, giving them confidence and a sense of responsibility to the well-being of their community. We also hope that facilitating young people into social action will re-direct negative peer-group pressure and harness a model for encouragement and positive occupation.