Fund will allow poorest to enjoy Urdd camp fun
Urdd Gobaith Cymru is Wales’ largest organisation for children and young people. Here chief executive SIAN LEWIS outlines how the Urdd is going from strength to strength in 2018
WHEN I took the reins as chief executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales’ largest organisation for children and young people some seven months ago, I stated that my ambition was to see every young person in Wales being offered an opportunity, at some point in their lives, to engage with the Urdd.
As an organisation which boasts over 53,000 members, 10,000 volunteers, 900 branches, 300 staff, 180 weekly sports clubs, four residential centres (including one in Hungary), two magazines, one National Eisteddfod, as well as hundreds of cultural, sporting and training activities held in every corner of Wales, it is easier than ever for young people to be part of the Urdd movement.
The Urdd movement was established in 1922 by Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards to give children across Wales the chance to learn and socialise in Welsh and support those learning the language.
One of the longest-standing cornerstones of Urdd activity is our residential outdoor centres, which have developed beyond all recognition since the first one was established near the Ceredigion coastal village of Llangrannog in 1932.
In 1950, a second permanent camp was founded at Glanllyn, near Bala in Gwynedd, on the shores of Llyn Tegid. In May this year, I announced my vision for the future of our centres, aimed at attracting millions of pounds in capital investment for further development and modernisation.
Discussion with Welsh Government Ministers in regards to the investment have proved to be productive and we hope to receive an answer to our application for funding in September.
This investment has been based on recognising the value of these centres for those who attend, as demonstrated by the striking results of a survey carried out to look at the wellbeing of children and young people following a visit to the camps, and the effect on their use of the Welsh language as a result.
■ 83% saw an increase in language use among their pupils.
■ 76% of pupils increased their use of exercise generally.
■ 96% saw an increase in self-confidence.
■ 64% continued with activities sampled for the first time at Llangrannog.
■ 97% made a new friend.
I myself am among the thousands upon thousands of children, young people and adults of all backgrounds who have been lucky enough to spend numerous weekends and summer holiday camps making lifelong friends and enjoying outdoor, sporting, cultural and educational activities at both Llangrannog and Glanllyn, as well as our newest camp, The Urdd City Sleepover in Cardiff Bay.
For the un-initiated, Urdd Summer Camps are a little bit like the “Camp America” model across the Atlantic. An opportunity for children and young people from all parts of Wales to come together for a week of fun with others of the same age, to gain new experiences, develop selfconfidence and independence in a safe environment.
Not all children and young people are able to take advantage of this opportunity however.
Latest figures show that 29% of children in Wales are living in poverty, and that use of food banks has increased by 3% in the past year. For children living in these circumstances, paying to attend a summer camp is simply not an option.
I am proud, therefore, that one of the first significant campaigns that the Urdd has launched since I embarked on my role as chief executive earlier this year is the “Fund for All – Urdd Summer Camp” scheme. The scheme is designed specifically to ensure that some of the most deprived Welsh children and young people will have the opportunity to attend a Summer Camp holiday in 2019, which has to be the most unique of Urdd experiences.
We are now searching for generous individuals to sponsor a visit for at least 100 children during the holidays in summer 2019. Sponsorship of £160 each will pay for a full place for one child on a five-day course at either Gwersyll Llangrannog, Gwersyll Glanllyn or the Urdd Cardiff City Sleepover.
I’m sure a number of Urdd supporters and former members look back at their summers in the Gwersyll with very fond memories, so this is a fantastic opportunity to ensure that today’s children have the same opportunities and in doing so leave a legacy for the future.
Support for “Fund for All” so far has been extremely encouraging, with endorsement received from Welsh Government Education Secretary Kirsty Williams AM who said: “All children, regardless of their financial situation should have opportunities to experience a summer camp so I am delighted the Urdd are helping us to ensure children from disadvantaged backgrounds can benefit in the same way as their friends.”
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland, also described the fund as “a very practical way of alleviating the symptoms of child poverty”.
Our first major donor has also already been secured via corporate sponsorship from Llanelli based television production company Tinopolis, which is extremely exciting and encouraging.
The Fund will be launched at the National Eisteddfod of Wales being held in Cardiff Bay from August 4 to 11 and it will be opened for applications in 2019 when schools or parents will be able to apply for a place on a child’s behalf.
The aim of the Urdd is to provide opportunities which enable children and young people to become fully rounded individuals, capable of making a positive contribution to society, confident in themselves, their language, their culture and respectful of each other and people across the world. This fund will enable us to do this for children and young people we may not otherwise have been able to reach.
■ For more information visit our website www.urdd.cymru/fund