RAISING educational attainment, while reducing antisocial behaviour (ASB) is the aim of a new project in Henllan, Denbighshire, which recently secured funding support from Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin’s Innovate to Grow initiative.
The STEM ar ôl ysgol/STEM after school project aims to reduce anti-social behaviour among at-risk primary-aged pupils by providing weekly, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) activities at Clwb Hapus Henllan in a safe, structured, and engaging environment. The programme specifically targets pupils identified by the school and local community as being at risk of engaging in or affected by anti-social activities outside school hours within the community of Henllan.
Thanks to the funding from Innovate to Grow, the sessions are free and fully resourced with age-appropriate STEM equipment and materials, such as robotics kits, building materials, and science experiment kits. Sessions take place once a week over the course of three school terms, delivered by staff within the after-school club.
On November 10, Andy Dunbobbin visited Clwb Hapus Henllan to meet the team behind the project. He heard about the difference it is making in the community through helping the young people towards greater achievement in education, while also offering them positive diversionary activity during evenings.
PCC Andy Dunbobbin commented: “Young people are our future and it’s important that we offer them every opportunity to thrive and excel, both academically and socially.
“STEM ar ôl ysgol is an excellent example of how we are helping pioneer new and innovative projects to cut crime in North Wales.
“This project is a win-win, as it aims to both help young people develop the skills they need for life and education, and also help give them positive outlets for their energy and enthusiasm.
“It was a pleasure to meet the team behind it and I wish them and the young people very success!”
Innovate to Grow exists to target and invests in projects dealing with the root causes of crime across North Wales, especially ones that offer new and innovative ideas of preventing and tackling wrongdoing.
Mr Dunbobbin has allocated £100,000 to the Innovate to Grow scheme to support projects for up to one year throughout the 2025-2026 financial year, with the main focus being on innovation. Examples of initiatives that could be eligible for support under the scheme include those covering youth services, early intervention, and adverse childhood experiences; drug, alcohol and substance misuse services; and organisations working to combat domestic abuse, sexual violence, and violence against women and girls. The initiative must complement the priorities within the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan, as well as his Community Oriented Police Service (COPS) approach to serve all communities across North Wales.
To read more about Innovate to Grow and other funding initiatives from the PCC, please visit their OPCC Commissioning grants available webpage.
Pupils of Ysgol Gymraeg Henllan, with Mr Jones, Student Teacher; Shewla Cadman, Parent Governor; PCC Andy Dunbobbin; Cllr Ian Carrie, Henllan Community Council; Mrs Lynne Jones, Headteacher; Mrs Glover, Teacher
