Emoji's celebration!

Last Thursday I attended the Emoji's presentation evening at the YMCA Barry.  I met with the Vale Youth Service staff who run the Emoji's project and support young people to develop confidence, self-esteem and learn to manage their emotions.  Along with the Deputy Vale Mayor, I presented certificates to the young people who had completed 10 weeks of creative work and watched a video showing what activities they had done. 

Afterwards I had the opportunity to meet the young people and talk about the project.  I also discussed the possibility of attending one of the sessions in the near future to learn more about the work they do and get involved in all the fun they have whilst on the project.   

Youth Visits

It's really important we visit young people across the Vale and find out what's important to them.  We feel very lucky to visit three different places and meet lots of young people.

First of all we visited Ysgol Y Deri in Penarth.  We were invited by one of the Vale Youth Forum members from the school who is also a prefect.  Thank you Katie for the invitation!  We held a meeting with the prefects and gave a presentation about the role of the Youth Mayor and Vale Youth Forum.  The Diversity & Equality Officer from the Vale Youth Forum also came along and we spoke to the pupils about some important issues such as transport, litter and friendships.

Afterwards, we were given a tour of the school and had the opportunity to see the facilities.  We were all impressed with how technology had been integrated into lessons, and how specialist therapies and equipment had been designed and tailored to the needs of the pupils.  There was a hydrotherapy pool and VR facilities to provide vivid sensory education.  There was also a radio station and a TV studio and one pupil suggested filming an interview with the Youth Mayor - we think this is a great idea!

Our second visit was to the schools youth club at YYD which is run by the Vale Youth Service on a Monday and Wednesday, 3.30-5.30pm.  We spent some time with a group of young people talking to each other, playing pool and air hockey, and taking part in numerous other activities.  Although it was a quiet start the young people told us why they enjoy going to youth club and what matters to them.  We've also been invited back to the youth club next term to discuss our progress!

Our last visit of the night was to the Young Carers youth group at the YMCA, Barry.  This youth club is for young people who may care for a family member.  It was really interesting to meet them and learn about their caring responsibilities and how this impacts their life.  The great news is several young people were very interested in joining the Vale Youth Forum and representing the voices of Young Carers.  We look forward to seeing them at our next meeting in December!

It was such a good day and we're so lucky we got to meet lots of young people and tell them all about us.  We're looking forward to visiting more schools, youth clubs and youth groups soon.

     

Scouts Fete

It's been a pleasure to be invited to the Barry Scouts Fete today. The weather is absolutely stunning and the parade was even better! Also not forgetting all the wonderful stalls and activities on offer for everyone. Hope you will all have a great day!

Carwyn Connect

Three youth cabinet members had the opportunity to attend Carwyn Connect in Barry and had the chance to take part in a Q&A session with the First Minister.  The room was packed and with protesters outside the building protesting the new incinerator in Barry we knew it would be an interesting evening!  Although the incinerator was a hot topic we all had the opportunity to ask our questions to the First Minister:

1. Does the assembly have plans to aid in the day to day integration of the Welsh language in our country? 
2. Will there be any changes regarding how the Welsh Government / National Assembly is run due to the recent triggering of article 50?
3. What are the Assembly's plans for introducing votes at 16 especially with the new Wales Bill, and how is the assembly going to ensure that young people have sufficient political knowledge to enable them to vote?  

And here's an overview of what the First Minister responded: 

1. The biggest challenge is young people speaking Welsh outside a school environment.  We've been successful in getting more children to go to Welsh schools but not speak outside them in a natural way.  We've opened after school clubs for a more natural environment.
2. We can't change the vote and the best thing to do is to work hard on maintaining the Welsh identity.  What will happen to the UK is unsure and is really in the hands of other countries like Germany.  There will be no immediate change to the Senedd so far.  
3. A vote will be held in the Senedd to allow 16 year olds to vote.  'Fake News' makes it difficult for young people to be genuinely informed.  A worry is that young people will make and form their political beliefs from poor sources.  This does not just affect young people but all ages.  

     

District Commissioner Tir a Môr

At tonight's meeting the District Commissioner Tir a Môr for Barry and Vale Scouts gave us a presentation about Scouting and the opportunities available to young people living in Barry and the Vale.  We learnt more about the different groups available from Cubs to Explorers and the different activities young people can get involved in.  We are looking forward to working with the District's Young Leaders and would like to wish them luck with their #YouShape mission! 

At the meeting we also finalised the youth satisfaction survey which we will be piloting in different youth clubs and provisions over the next couple of weeks.  We also looked at the revised School Transport Code of Practice which will be coming out to schools soon!  And we are looking forward to meeting officials from Atkin Associates ahead of the Vale Youth Service's Bronze Quality Mark inspection in March. 

Armistice Day

On Friday 11th November, as Deputy Youth Mayor I attended the Vale of Glamorgan Armistice Day ceremony to commemorate the fallen and in support of the Royal British Legion.  It was an honour to represent the Youth Cabinet and lay a wreath on behalf of young people.  The ceremony took place at the Civic Offices in Barry in front of the Merchant Seaman Memorial where there was a short service, a two-minute silence and a wreath laying ceremony.  

Youth Mayor Elections 2016

Next week, young people across the Vale of Glamorgan will have the chance to vote for their next Vale Youth Mayor. This year, 3 youth cabinet members are standing in the election.  Daley Chapman, aged 15 from Barry, Daniel Marshall aged 16 from Cowbridge and Rhys Powell aged 14 from Barry.

The elections will take place all week during Local Democracy Week, 10-14th October 2016 and will be held in secondary schools, youth clubs, youth organisations and training providers in the county.  

Please watch the candidate's manifestos and get ready to vote!

 

Youth Mayor Fundraiser

Every year the Youth Mayor raises money for a local charity and this year I decided to support the Vale Youth Forum.  The Vale Youth Forum is a registered charity who helps young people have a voice on issues that affect them and their communities.  

On Saturday 23rd July, we held a bag packing event in Asda, Barry.  I'd like to thank Lynette, the Community Champion for helping to arrange the fundraiser.  Members of the Youth Cabinet and Vale Youth Forum took part and I'd like to thank them for supporting the fundraiser and also thank the generous Asda customers who donated.    

The day was a great success and we raised £308 for the Vale Youth Forum and I presented the Chair of the Vale Youth Forum, Erin Jennings with a cheque for the money raised.  The money will go towards helping with the promotion of the Vale Youth Forum in the local community which will hopefully encourage more young people to join the Forum to represent the voice of their peers in their local communities. 

#SaluteOurForces

This week is Armed Forces Week and events will be taking place all over the UK to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community (Royal Navy, British Army & Royal Air Force) and risk their lives to protect us.  

The Vale of Glamorgan Council awarded freedom of the County Borough to the ship's company of HMS Cambria and as an early celebration on Saturday 18th June the ships company marched through Barry town and were led by the Band of HM Royal Marines, Plymouth.  There was an impressive ceremony at King's Square in Barry and then they marched through Barry town centre to the Civic Offices where we watched the Armed Forces Day flag being raised whilst celebrating local residents and veterans who have and are part of the Armed Forces community.   

Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday 25th June but you can get involved by showing your support and #SaluteOurForces for all they do! Find our more information here.