RAISING self-esteem and combatting bullying by engaging vulnerable young people in mixed martial arts (MMA) and fitness is the focus of a project which recently secured funding support from Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin’s Innovate to Grow initiative. On 17 October, the PCC visited the team behind the project at the Plas Derwen Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Queensferry, Flintshire to learn more about its aims and the difference it is making for young people in the local community.
The pupils attending Plas Derwen number around 100 from across the county and have varying degrees of behavioural, social and emotional needs, with those attending the centre disengaged and sometimes unwilling or unable to interact with those around them positively.
The funding from the PCC and Innovate to Grow is helping to set up MMA classes for pupils attending the unit and this includes martial arts techniques and mindfulness. It is hoped the skills taught will improve self-esteem and confidence among the young people taking part and will make them less likely to seek validation through less positive means and possibly get involved in criminal activities.
The sessions are delivered to the PRU students by a pastoral staff member who is a qualified personal coach and MMA fighter, with support from other staff. The aim is that once established, the PRU will open the sessions to other schools and the wider local community.
While at Plas Derwen, PCC Dunbobbin met Gareth Hywel, Headteacher of Plas Derwen and Kieran Edwards who will be delivering the lessons and saw a group of Plas Derwen pupils engaged in an MMA training session.
PCC Andy Dunbobbin commented: “Young people are our future and are a key focus of my plan to support communities across North Wales.
“As such, I am pleased that through my Innovate to Grow fund, we have been able to help this project at Plas Derwen reach some of the most vulnerable young people across Flintshire.
“Engaging positively with these young people at an early stage will hopefully prevent further issues later on and encourage them to turn away from the temptation of crime and anti-social behaviour.
“At the same time, they are learning new skills and keeping fit in a positive and affirming way and are gaining the self-discipline and respect for the opponent that is core to martial arts.”
Gareth Hywel from Plas Derwen PRU said: “Kieran works positively with the vulnerable pupils in our care, and uses the vehicle of MMA to help support, and engage them.
“The pupils look up to Kieran and then can use the skills they learn in MMA and transfer them into the classroom to progress with their learning.
“More pupils need an alternative curriculum that talented people like Kieran can deliver, to show pupils the real potential they have to achieve.”
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 click here.
