Next week is Youth Work Week in Wales (23rd-30th June). It is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the impact and diversity of youth work across Wales.
The Week aims to promote a wider understanding of and support for youth work.
As we are unable to hold a physical showcase event this month, we are encouraging young people, youth work organisations, decision makers and other stakeholders to join in the conversation on social media using the hashtags #YouthWorkWales and #GwaithIeuenctidCymru
On Tuesday 23rd June, a number of videos will be shared throughout the day on social media (@YWWales), including a showreel created by ProMo-Cymru to promote and celebrate youth work.
There will also be a Twitter Q&A session with members of the Interim Youth Work Board
Please follow @YWWales and join in the conversation using #YouthWorkWales and #GwaithIeuenctidCymru
Feel free to tag us in your messages (@CWVYS)!
Category: Uncategorized
CWVYS AGM INVITE
Notice of CWVYS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on
9th JULY 2020
The CWVYS Annual General Meeting will be held as detailed below
Date 9th July 2020
Time 12.30 hrs
Place ZOOM
Zoom Details to be sent nearer the date.
The CWVYS Executive Committee will be meeting on that morning.
The closing date to register your attendance is the 26th June, as there will be limitations with numbers on ZOOM.
Please confirm this by e-mailing sarah@cwvys.org.uk
If we have not heard from you by 26th June we will assume you will not be attending the call. We will not be able to add anyone to the list after this date.
I look forward to seeing you on 9th July 2020.
Paul Glaze
Chief Executive
NEW CWVYS STAFF MEMBERS
New CWVYS staff member!
Hi there
Well I am so pleased and excited to join CWVYS and the amazing team as their new Membership & Policy Officer.
I have worked across many industries, sectors and roles throughout my career but I can genuinely say that it’s working within the youth sector that have given me the most joy and satisfaction.
My key role here is to make sure we have all the correct information so I can support you as members in whatever way I can.
That could mean finding the right contacts, collaborative opportunities, useful networks and events, important documents and/or solutions to help you move forward. It also means I have a responsibility to represent you at strategic meetings to ensure your voice is heard, it reflects the diversity and current landscape and influences discussions and decisions.
So don’t be shy – tell me everything!
Due to the monster that is Covid-19, I obviously can’t come to visit you in person at the moment but I don’t want that to stop us from meeting and getting to know each other. So I would like to make plans to get in touch with you all via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, phone or whatever method suits you. I understand that everyone’s situation is not the norm but I would at least like you to know we are here for you regardless.
When you are able, email me with your preferred contact info then we can set something up from there.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, ask away via amanda@cwvys.org.uk
CWVYS REGIONAL MEETINGS
CWVYS Regional Social ZOOM Meetings will be held every fortnight for voluntary youth work organisations. During this unprecedented COVID-19 period, we believe it is important to reach out, connect and support our members.
The next meetings are:
Central South and South East Wales – 11/06/20 – 10am to 11am
North Wales – 12/06/20 10am to 11am
South West and Mid Wales -12/06/20 1pm to 2pm
We are providing a supportive space for the sector to: –
- keep in touch with each other
- support and share knowledge and information
- communicate to others the concerns and issues from the sector
- and a bit of fun
Contact Catrin James catrin@cwvys.org.uk to receive the joining details to join the meeting in your region.
SHELTER CYMRU ADVICE PAGE
Shelter Cymru have published an advice page for young people at risk of homelessness on their website.
In this difficult time, young people in precarious living situations have needed advice now more than ever. Shelter said:
As you are all aware, the coronavirus is having a severe impact on the homelessness situation of young people in Wales and we have seen a dramatic increase in demand for our advice services. In response to this we have created a Young Person’s advice page which can be seen here:
I would be very grateful if you could share this link far and wide: https://sheltercymru.org.uk/get-advice/coronavirus-advice-for-young-people/.
Our usual advice services are also still available by phone and webchat with the details on the bottom of the linked page.
And please remember to get in touch regarding any housing concerns, issues or trends you have come across during the last few months so that we can pass them on to our caseworkers, campaigns team and include in any discussions with policy makers.
ANDY BORSDEN TO DRIVE QUALITY MARK FORWARD
The EWC has appointed Andy Borsden to drive Quality Mark forward
Andy Borsden is the newly appointed development officer for the Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales. He is also a CWVYS Vice President, and we’d like to extend our congratulations to him!
He will play a vital role in evaluating and shaping the future of the award working with the wider youth work sector.
A former Principal Youth Officer and lead assessor for the Quality Mark, Andy joins the EWC with over 35 years’ experience as a youth worker.
Having run youth provision as a volunteer and led teams of youth workers working with the most vulnerable young people, Andy understands the importance of developing and maintaining a quality service.
The Welsh Government commissioned the EWC earlier this year to deliver and develop the Quality Mark alongside ETS Wales.
A review of the Quality Mark is underway to look at how it can be strengthened. The deadline for participating in the online questionnaire closes on 30 June 2020.
CWVYS SURVEY ON THE EFFECT OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE VOLUNTARY YOUTH SECTOR
CWVYS are conducting a survey of our members about the effects of Coronavirus on your work.
In response to requests at recent online Regional Group meetings, CWVYS is seeking your help in finding out how the current situation is affecting Members.
We are doing this for three reasons:
- to understand how you are, how you are coping/not coping and the effects of working or not working during this crisis period
- -to highlight areas and issues of need to which CWVYS can tailor its support accordingly
- -to share these findings as ‘open data’ for Members and to inform strategic partners e.g. the Interim Youth Work Board; Welsh Government etc about the impact of recent events on the voluntary youth work sector
You will all receive a copy of the final report when it has been completed.
This will be important going forward to ensure we are protected as much as possible as a sector and that your work and its contribution to society is appreciated and valued.
We would be grateful if you could complete the survey by the end of the week: *CWVYS Survey on Coronavirus impact on Voluntary Youth Sector*
If you have any questions please send to Helen@cwvys.org.uk
CWVYS REGIONAL MEETINGS
CWVYS Regional Social ZOOM Meetings will be held every fortnight for voluntary youth work organisations. During this unprecedented COVID-19 period, we believe it is important to reach out, connect and support our members.
The next meetings are:
Central South and South East Wales – 28/5/20 – 10am to 11am
North Wales – 29/5/20 10am to 11am
South West and Mid Wales -29/5/20 1pm to 2pm
We are providing a supportive space for the sector to: –
- keep in touch with each other
- support and share knowledge and information
- communicate to others the concerns and issues from the sector
- and a bit of fun
Contact Catrin James catrin@cwvys.org.uk to receive the joining details to join the meeting in your region.
PAGES TO BOOKMARK
Pages worth Bookmarking
A daily statement by Public Health Wales on the Covid-19 outbreak can be found on their website. They have also released a number of useful resources and guidance.
Welsh Goverment have a dedicatied webpage for advice, news and resources on the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales website now has an information hub for information and advice.
NHS Direct have launched an online symptom checker.
Money Saving Expert is producing financial advice guides online on subject matters including Mortgages & other debts, rental help, energy top-ups & more.
Support for victims of Domestic Abuse – The Live Fear Free helpline is available 24 hours a day – call free on 0808 8010 800 any time, if you can do it safely. You can also text 0786 007 7333, email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales or webchat -If you can’t talk in safety, but you need help immediately, police forces across Wales will respond to a silent 999 call – dial 999 followed by 55 to indicate that you can’t talk, but need help.
Citizen’s Advice: What coronavirus means for you
Meic Cyrmu is the advocacy, information and advice helpline for children in Wales, helping the children of Wales through the coronavirus pandemic. They are contactable through their Freephone helpline on 080880 23456, free text service on 84001, and their online chat service via their website.
YOUTH ENDOWMENT FUND COVID-19
The Youth Endowment Fund has opened a new £6.5m COVID19 grant round to support vulnerable children in England and Wales at risk of youth violence.
50% of the total funding available will be reserved for charities and social enterprises.
Find out more:
Apply here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4823161
CORONAVIRUS CYP SURVEY
People who can make a difference to your life want to hear from you about how life has been like over the last few weeks.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, the Youth Parliament and Children in Wales have been working with the Welsh Government, to make sure that they hear and listen to what you have to say. All of those people want to make sure they are doing their best for all children and young people in Wales. They want to make sure that they are giving you the information and support you need to feel as happy as possible during this time and afterwards.
The survey should take you around 15 minutes.
The survey closes on 27th May
Please share your views via this link: www.childcomwales.org.uk/coronavirusandme
EFFECT OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE VOLUNTARY YOUTH SECTOR
CWVYS are conducting a survey of our members about the effects of Coronavirus on your work.
In response to requests at recent online Regional Group meetings, CWVYS is seeking your help in finding out how the current situation is affecting Members.
We are doing this for three reasons:
- to understand how you are, how you are coping/not coping and the effects of working or not working during this crisis period
- -to highlight areas and issues of need to which CWVYS can tailor its support accordingly
- -to share these findings as ‘open data’ for Members and to inform strategic partners e.g. the Interim Youth Work Board; Welsh Government etc about the impact of recent events on the voluntary youth work sector
You will all receive a copy of the final report when it has been completed.
This will be important going forward to ensure we are protected as much as possible as a sector and that your work and its contribution to society is appreciated and valued.
We would be grateful if you could complete and share, you can access it here: *CWVYS Survey on Coronavirus impact on Voluntary Youth Sector*
If you have any questions please send to Helen@cwvys.org.uk