Penderi to Brangwyn Hall – honouring teamwork and youth.
Kicks, Pobl and local PCSOs Steve and Holly were recently nominated for a Community Award as part of Operation Dunlin at the annual South Wales Police Awards at Brangwyn Hall.
This work originated when the Penlan Neighbourhood Police team recognised a clear need for partners working in the area to come together and look at some of the issues that were regularly happening in Penderi.
The police worked with the local councillors, local authority, Pobl, First Cymru Buses, and the Swans Foundation to secure funding to improve the multi games area (MUGA). This meant that the hugely popular weekly football sessions could continue on a safe and accessible pitch. With the local children and young people at the heart of this work, it seemed only right that they could attend the awards ceremony along with Kicks, local PCSOs and Pobl. Sixty young people would have been a bit of a squeeze, so two regular attendees; brother and sister Kenzie and Kiera were chosen to represent their friends and peers.
They both looked super smart when we picked them up for the ride down to Brangwyn Hall, and we even managed to dodge the rain showers when we arrived. Kenzie reflected how ‘if I was at home now, I’d be watching the TV, but I’m out and I’m so happy!’
Gentle giant police horses stood on welcome outside the ceremony, which was a great photo opportunity. Kenzie was a clear favourite with his horse, leaving a foamy wet horse kiss on the back of his coat, but reassured that it would all come out in the wash when we headed inside. The awards ceremony was celebrating many achievements, and as such the hall was filled with very smart police officers, medals and ranks all on display, and large round tables all set for a full evening meal. Kiera and Kenzie were confident and enthusiastic, heading to the bar to get a soft drink and then finding our table. Questions about why exactly we needed so many knives and forks at the table, which flavour J20 was the best and who they wanted to speak to later in the evening became the point of discussion.
The award we had been nominated for was the first of the night, and although we were runners-up, both Kiera and Kenzie overcame their nerves and went up to accept the certificate and have their photos taken with partners involved and the Swansea High Sheriff.
Dinner was next, and it would be an understatement to say this was not a big success for the kids! ‘Who puts cream on chicken?’ queried Kenzie, voicing the question many people may have already been thinking. Despite a vegetable-tasting challenge, it was starting to look like they might be going hungry till the waiters came to their rescue with chocolate ice cream and wafers. Beth from Kicks also promised them a McDonald’s on the way home and perked up with sugar and the prospect of a burger, they confidently sat down with the High Sherriff to find out more about her voluntary role, invited her along to officially open the Blaenymaes MUGA, and of course play a game of football on all her High Sherriff finery! Watch this space for dates.
As it was a school night, we slipped away, Cinderella-style, at the end of the meal, only to have the compere say a big goodbye to the kids, telling all gathered that we were leaving this prestigious ceremony to go to McDonald’s! So much for subtlety!
Late-night burgers and chips were a perfect time to reflect on the people they had met and how they had enjoyed the evening. Both should be incredibly proud of how they represented their community and the young people of Blaenymaes and Kicks. Polite, fun, confident and enthusiastic, they represent so much of what children and young people can be when given the space, trust and opportunity, despite dinner combining cream and chicken.
