YWCA commends Welsh Assembly's rights of the child duty

YWCA welcomes the new consultation by the Welsh Assembly Government in respect of the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure. 

If passed, this Measure will require the Assembly Government to have due regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in areas of its work. It will be the first government in the UK to be under this type of duty.

Linda Pritchard, YWCA's Welsh Policy Officer, said: "The Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to ensuring that children and young people's rights are placed high on their agenda, in all areas of their work, is to be commended."

YWCA Cwmafan's work from The Big Lottery Fund features on news

YWCA Cwmafan featured on ITV Wales yesterday evening showing their work with young women on the Eve Project.

The project received funding from the Big Lottery which was used to educate and support young women towards having a voice in the community and raising self-esteem. 

This included sessions on drugs and alcohol where the young women wore real beer goggles and went through an 'assault course' carrying out tasks like picking up keys and texting on their mobiles, aimed to show the consequences of binge drinking.

Sian Tones, centre manager of YWCA Cwmafan, said: "All of the girls without exception have had their confidence raised. They have got a voice and we've allowed them to be heard as well. Their aspirations have risen as well. We challenge them about what kind of roles they want to go into in the future."

Art group goes on whistlestop tour of London's art sights

Young women from YWCA Cwmafan's Art and Performing Art group have been on a whirlwind tour around London to sample different art mediums.

The two-day trip for the 12- to 16-year-olds included two hours of private tuition at Tate Modern, where they produced their own modern artwork, an evening watching Hairspray at the theatre, seeing the street performers at Covent Garden and an open top bus tour to view London's architecture.

YWCA's centre manager Sian Tones said: "The girls were extremely excited about this trip and it's been a fantastic opportunity for them to really absorb many different art forms and cultures. Without the support of YWCA staff and funding from the Big Lottery Fund this trip would not have been possible.

Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Lowe, who was on the trip, said: "It was just brilliant. We went on the underground and travelled all over London. Hairspray and the Tate Modern were amazing. We learned so much, it was brill!"

YWCA Cwmafan's Art and Performing Arts group provides opportunities for young women aged 11 to 18 to explore the issues that affect them through different art mediums. They have so far produced graffiti boards and DVDs and have choreographed various dances.

Dr. Brian Gibbons visits YWCA Cwmafan

Dr. Brian Gibbons, Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, visited young women from YWCA Cwmafan on Friday 10 July to discuss issues affecting them in the community.

The Minister met girls and women from YWCA, many of whom were young mums, along with YWCA's Chief Executive, Sarah Payne. They specifically discussed funding and employment opportunities for young women in the area, including apprenticeships in construction. 

Helen Williams said: "It was a really interesting opportunity for the young women to meet Dr. Brian Gibbons. They discussed issues that are important to them, such as employment, and there is potential to take this meeting further."

MP for Aberavon, Wales meets young mums at YWCA Cwmafan

Hywel Francis MP visited YWCA Cwmafan on Friday 26^th June to meet young mums accessing the centre's services.

The MP for Aberavon met the young mums to discuss issues that affect them in the community and the range of support and information available to them.

It was the minister's first visit to the centre although he had met young women from YWCA Cwmafan on their previous visits to parliament.

Helen Williams, YWCA's centre manager said: "We were pleased to have Dr. Hywel Francis MP at our centre, his visit showed the young mums that their voices and contributions are being heard despite the barriers and prejudices they might face."

Dancing, henna and quizzes to celebrate women's achievements

YWCA Cwmafan celebrated International Women’s Day on Saturday 7^th March with an action packed open day.

The event was funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and Big Lottery Fund was run in partnership with MENCAP Cymru, Girl guides, CWYVS. The day’s activities included presentations, an Indian dancing workshop, participation games, a quiz on prominent women in politics and history and an open dance session. Representatives from other organisations were on hand all day to provide mehndi, Indian hand painting and crafts.

Young women from YWCA’s participation programme gave a presentation on their recent participation work including trips to parliament to speak to MPs and campaigning for better opportunities for young women from socially deprived backgrounds.  Speeches were made by the chief executive of the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services (CWYVS) Veronica Wilson and two representatives from MENCAP.

Helen Williams, YWCA Programme Manager, said: “International Women’s Day was the perfect opportunity for women in our area to get together, enjoy themselves and also be reminded that there is no limit to the possibilities of what women can achieve. We’re particularly proud of the young women involved in our participation programme, which is so important in giving young women the chance to voice their opinions about what’s going on around them.”