Teens take on treasure hunt with a difference delving into town’s heritage
Pobl ifanc yn mynd ar helfa drysor gyda gwahaniaeth, gan ymchwilio i dreftadaeth y dref
A youth service engagement event brought a group of young people together as they explored Haverfordwest’s heritage and community.
Organised by Anti-Social Behaviour Youth Worker Taylor Trueman, the Haverfordwest Heritage Hunt was designed to engage young people who may not attend traditional youth club activities and was an inclusive, fun and educational experience for the 34 people that took part.
The event received vital support from staff and volunteers at the Edge Youth Centre, who all helped facilitate the day. Their combined efforts were key to the event’s success in engaging a diverse group of young people in local heritage and fostering a stronger sense of community pride.
“The young people spent their time exploring hidden stories and key heritage sites around Haverfordwest - many visiting places for the first time. Of these participants, 80% said they learned something new, and 76% reported feeling more aware and connected to their town. This shows the powerful impact heritage-based learning can have on young people’s sense of belonging and community identity,” said Taylor.
Just two of the comments from teenagers involved were: "I’ve walked past some of these places before but never knew what they were. Now I feel like I know my town better," and "Going to the museum was my favourite bit. I didn’t think I’d be into it, but it was very interesting."
The Heritage Hunt collaborated with Haverfordwest Museum, which opened exclusively for the event and provided prizes for the heritage hunters.
"The Haverfordwest Town Museum was delighted to participate in the Haverfordwest Heritage Hunt. Dozens of young people were interested in our displays and selected their favourite artefacts. I am sure they learned a lot from their visit." - Cllr. Simon Hancock, Museum Curator.
Morrisons supermarket’s Community Champion kindly donated refreshments and Haverfordwest member Councillor David Bryan attended with his family.
“The members of The Edge Youth Centre really enjoyed taking part in the Haverfordwest Heritage Hunt. It was a fun way for young people to get out and explore their town while learning about its history. Projects like this help build stronger connections between young people and their community,” added Steve Lewis, Community Youth Worker at the Edge Youth Centre.
By providing positive, structured activities that engage young people meaningfully, the Heritage Hunt offered alternatives to negative behaviours often associated with boredom or lack of connection and it encouraged young people to take pride in their town and invest positively in their community, all contributing to reducing anti-social behaviour.