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.

     

Young Carers Speak Out!

Last Thursday I attended the Young Carers Speak Out event. It was amazing to see so many young carers at the event, and what was even more pleasing was that young carers from the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff planned and organised the whole day! 

Some of the results of the Young Carers survey were launched, and it was great to see so many young carers actively getting their voices heard, and hopefully the results from the survey will be acted upon by decision makers in Wales.      

The day was superb, (the young people involved deserve huge congratulations).  There was a magician, photo booth and workshops run by professionals where young carers learnt essential skills such as first aid. Not forgetting the market place, where one stall was even cooking food as a demonstration for the young people.  It goes without saying that it was a big hit with everyone at the event. The market place also had live music, and I can’t forget to mention the Vale Rights Ambassador stall that spread the word of the UNCRC.  The day was a load of fun, and was a well-deserved chance for all the young carers to have a break, from their selfless lives and daily hard work. Dan (Youth Mayor)