 |
|
Sharon Lovell
Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.
It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Brangwyn Hall in December for the 2022 Youth Work Excellence Awards – what a fantastic event!
I was so proud of the rich diversity of youth work provision showcased so beautifully in that amazing venue and the inspiring way in which the youth work sector continues to be so innovative with young people and the outstanding youth services taking place in Wales.
|
I know many of us are facing difficult times at the moment as the pressure of the cost of living crisis impact our services, our communities and young people. I have been in awe of your resilience in the face of these pressures.
I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have expressed an interest in joining the new Implementation Participation Groups – these groups and your input will be invaluable as we move at pace to consider the 14 recommendations made by the Interim Board and build a sustainable model for youth work. These new groups will each aim to convene for the first time during February. Those who have expressed an interest in joining these groups should have by now received further information on next steps.
We are also committed to ongoing engagement with young people as we enter this new phase of work, through the Young Persons Committee and being creative with new ways of engaging with young people, by building on the success of the ‘Lets Talk’ surveys, feeding into the Interim Board’s recommendation to build a youth led governance structure.
A review of the funding available to, and spent by, the youth work sector in Wales is now underway. I look forward to providing you with updates in due course but if you are asked to participate in this work, I would urge you to take part.
I would like to end with a reminder of the importance of responding to the consultation on new registration categories for the Education Workforce Council – the deadline for responses is 17 February. Further details can be found here.
I look forward to working with you all closely this year to make sure youth work services thrive for young people in Wales.
Lucy Palmer, 21, from Promo Cymru is fascinated by how social media can be used to raise awareness of issues important to young people. She is also passionate about reducing discrimination and promoting acceptance of diversity in our communities.
In her article below Lucy describes how she interviewed young people at Pride Cymru as part of TheSprout’s #MoreThanAMonth campaign. Her interviews were used to develop content for TheSprout’s TikTok account to help raise awareness of young people’s feelings about, and understanding of, sexual orientation and gender.
The posts generated a huge response and Lucy explains how she felt about this, giving an insight into what she’s learned from the experience.
 |
|
“I’m really interested in how social media can be used as a platform to raise awareness for issues important to young people.
At Pride Cymru this passion came to fruition as my colleague and I got to interview 21 articulate, interesting young people for TheSprout’s TikTok account.
Initially the concept of talking to strangers on camera was daunting. Most of the people we interviewed were a similar age to us, so it felt comfortable and the people we interviewed seemed open and honest with their answers. Our tiny microphone also made people laugh which helped break the ice!
|
Being a Queer person myself I thought I knew most of what there is to know about sexuality; but I learnt so much about new sexual identities and the nuances that exist within them.
After we’d edited the interviews and began uploading them to TikTok they were loved by thousands of people. Our account was flooded with affirming comments and likes. However, after one video in particular went viral, with more than 3.5 million views, thousands of hateful comments began appearing. I’d never experienced discrimination because of my sexual orientation, so to read so much discrimination targeted at people aged mostly between 16-18 was heart-breaking. It reminded me just how easy it is to surround yourself in an echo chamber of acceptance online and not be confronted with such hatred. Managing the comments was difficult, but it was a really good reminder of the challenges that some young people face.
On the positive side though, the experience has highlighted how important it is to have content like this because it gives young people the opportunity to share their voice.
The young people were really happy to be given a chance to express their views, share experiences and explain how dynamic sexuality can be. Being involved has helped me to see how creating content with young people can educate people about issues that matter and can help encourage people to accept each other.
The Cardiff Pride: More Than a Month campaign was a wonderful opportunity for young people to share their identity and thoughts about being LGBTQ+ in Wales. The campaign offered a platform for LGBTQ+ young people to use their voices and be heard, not only in Wales but globally. The hate received in the comments echoes how much further we need to go as a society to ensure that LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, supported, accepted and included.
Read more about the Cardiff Pride: More Than a Month campaign on TheSprout website.
 |
|
EYST Wales receives The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award |
Huge congratulations to EYST Wales, which in December was announced as one of just 20 national charities in receipt of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award.
This is in recognition of the support that EYST offers young BME people, refugees and asylum seekers in Wales. EYST provides specific support to 16-25 year olds through three projects: BME Youth Invest project, The Think Project and the Young, Migrant and Welsh project, which aimed to engage ethnic minority people aged 16-25 to explore and document their experiences by creating films to increase public awareness and appreciation of Wales’ diverse history and heritage.
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award is a one-off award created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and 20 years of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). The full list of awardees can be found at: https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/news
For more information see: About EYST
 |
|
Developing Leadership: New Advisor for Youth Work appointed by the National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales
|
Emma Chivers has been appointed as the Leadership Advisor for Youth Work for the National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales (NAEL). Emma will be working with the youth work sector to help represent the ‘youth work’ voice and promote relevant interests within the National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales and other education systems.
Emma will be working for NAEL Wales for four days a month, working with leaders across the youth work sector to provide support and maximise leadership opportunities and promote good leadership practice.
There are several opportunities for Youth Work Leaders to work together to do this, and Emma is keen to hear how you think she can support and facilitate this to happen in practice. Emma also has several other roles. She is currently the lead trainer for the Youth Work Leadership and Management Programme for the Education and Training Standards Cymru, which has recently been endorsed by NAEL Wales. Emma is currently a member of the Leadership and Management Steering Group, and part of her role with NAEL Wales is to develop this relationship further.
Emma has over twenty-five years’ experience in Youth and Community Work and is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people, focusing upon leadership and management policy and practice. If you would like to take a closer look at the work of the NAEL Wales, or are interested in providing a case study on good leadership practice, or becoming an Associate, then you can access more information here or contact Emma for an informal chat, via emma@ec-consultancy.co.uk.
Improving Financial Wellbeing through practical skills |
|
 |
Many youth workers talk to children and young people about money, deliver informal financial education and support access to money guidance, often relying on ad hoc sources of knowledge, or personal experience. Acknowledging a need for reliable and accurate information, The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has developed a guide to support professionals working with children and young people, with the aim of improving their financial wellbeing.
The guide aims to help local authorities and other children’s services staff, working with children and young people in vulnerable circumstances, embed opportunities for learning about money into the support they provide. MaPS has also developed a toolkit for practitioners across the UK, with tips on good practice and signposting to resources and services that can support them to talk to children and young people about money, deliver informal financial education and support access to money guidance. The Wales guide and toolkit is available in both Welsh and English
Check out ERYICA’s new Guide to Youth Participation in Youth Information |
|
 |
In December, The European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA) and Eurodesk published a guide to youth participation in youth information services.
The aim of the guide is to support youth information providers to involve young people in the design, delivery, dissemination, evaluation, and governance of youth information services. The publication gives an overview of youth participation policies and standards and different participation models. The guide is complemented with concrete tips, examples of good practices and a resource list. The guide has been produced in collaboration with Eurodesk and a group of young volunteers. You can download it here.
ERYICA is an independent European organisation, composed of national and regional youth information co-ordination bodies and networks. The Welsh Government’s Youth Engagement Branch pays for ERYICA membership for Wales, which means that opportunities (including regular webinars and virtual events) are open to youth workers, managers, volunteers etc. in the voluntary and statutory sectors in Wales.
|
The Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales (QMYW) continues to thrive with more organisations receiving accreditation in 2022.
|
|
 |
Congratulations to Wrexham on their Silver Quality Mark, Welsh ICE for getting their Bronze Quality Mark, and Carmarthenshire for their Gold Quality Mark. Good luck to Neath Port Talbot Youth Services with their Silver submission and Princes Trust Cymru and Valleys Kids, as they welcome assessors to do their Bronze Quality Mark.
We are also pleased to confirm that the Education Workforce Council (EWC) will continue to deliver and develop the QMYW in Wales during 2023.
Principality has launched a new £500,000 Future Generations Fund with Community Foundation Wales. Grants will help third sector and community organisations support young people to develop a range of practical life skills. The grant application deadline is 8 February 2023. For more information, please click here.
 |
|
Taith Pathway 1 funding delivers physical, virtual and blended outward and inward mobilities to learn, study, work or volunteer abroad. Find out how to get involved: Taith Wales
|
Professional learning with Educators Wales
If you’re looking to develop your career, Educators Wales can help. The Educators Wales team is available to provide information, advice and guidance to assist in furthering your career. Whether you’re looking for a new job, exploring professional learning opportunities or need information on qualifications, get in touch with the team today, or visit the Educators Wales website
Promote careers opportunities free of charge!
The Educators Wales team is currently working with representatives from the youth work sector to review and update the careers pages on the Educators Wales website. This includes ensuring all relevant training providers are advertising their qualifications and professional learning opportunities. If your organisation provides qualifications, professional learning or job vacancies you can promote your opportunities free of charge on Educators Wales. Register now via the website or contact the team for more information.
Prince’s Trust Development Awards – reducing barriers to education and employment
Funding of up to £500 is available to help remove barriers to education or employment for young people. In the past year Prince’s Trust has funded all sorts! From laptops, hairdressing and barbering equipment, to uniforms for young people enrolling at college, to first month travel to new jobs, or clothes for interview. Contact 0800 842 842 or visit: Get funding to train and learn | Help for young people for more info.
 |
|
Give something back and support a youth charity: YHA volunteer opportunities for people aged 18+
Why not volunteer in a supportive environment with a friendly team, learn some new skills and meet some new friends! Accommodation and travel expenses are provided. All working holidays include a thank-you meal and some free time so you can explore the surrounding area! More info here: YHA (England & Wales) Events
|
Under 25 and looking for business support?
Big Ideas Wales is here to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs in Wales.
The team is running some fantastic webinars to support those starting and running businesses in the coming months. Webinars are FREE and open to anyone under 25 currently living in Wales.
For more information on any of the events please click here.
Update on Implementation Participation Groups (IPGs).
Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in the Implementation Participation Groups (IPGs).
All who expressed an interest should by now have received a response. Once meetings begin, information about Terms of Reference and work plans will be held on the Youth Work Board page: Youth Work Strategy Implementation Board | GOV.WALES
Get in touch via email (youthwork@gov.wales) if you want to contribute to the next newsletter. We'll provide a style guide for submitting articles to us, with information on the word count of articles for the various sections.
Please remember to use #YouthWorkWales #GwaithIeuenctidCymru when tweeting to raise the profile of Youth Work in Wales.
Are you Subscribed to Youth Work Bulletin? Sign up fast here
|
