THIS year more than 100 children and young people in Wales will be going on their first summer holiday thanks to Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s Fund for All scheme.
This year the Urdd, Wales’ largest youth organisation, received a record number of applications to Fund for All since establishing the scheme in 2019. The fund is a special scheme that offers an opportunity for children and young people living in poverty or in difficult circumstances to attend a Summer Camp at the Urdd’s Glan-llyn, Llangrannog or Cardiff residential centres.
Siân Lewis, Urdd Chief Executive said: “Going on a summer holiday is something many take for granted, but many children in Wales live in poverty or in circumstances where a summer holiday isn’t possible for the family. The Urdd – and the Welsh language – belongs to all, and it’s our priority as an organisation to reach out to families from deprived and culturally diverse areas to ensure that opportunities are available and offered to every child in Wales.
“The Fund for All scheme is an opportunity for children from families experiencing poverty or difficult circumstances to take part in an Urdd Summer Camp. Thanks to companies and supporters who contribute to the fund, this year children from families who are supported by social services, young carers, foster children, and children who have experienced domestic violence will be able to experience and enjoy one of the Urdd’s Summer Camps.”
Diana Lewes-Gale of Ceredigion Social Services department said: “The vulnerable children of Ceredigion have been very lucky to access the ‘Cronfa Cyfle i Bawb’ and it has enabled our children to attend and stay at Gwersyll yr Urdd Llangrannog. It has given them an opportunity to build healthy relationships with staff and it has become a safe place for them. The activities are always popular and it’s wonderful to see how they grow in confidence and are happy to try new things. To see their faces when they achieve a goal is fantastic and they have made long lasting happy memories that they will treasure forever. Being outside in the outdoor, having the opportunity to visit the local beach and using their Welsh language skills has strengthened their identity. Diolch enfawr i pawb yn Urdd, Llangrannog.”
This year 11 Summer Camps are being held at Glan-llyn, Llangrannog and Cardiff Residential Centres. Summer Camps include a performance course, a creative course, bilingual camp as well as adventure camps and traditional summer camps for children aged 8-15.
Anyone can support and contribute any amount towards Fund for All, and a contribution of £150 will sponsor one child. In May, Walter May the founder of GlobalWelsh, and his friends walked 196 miles over a two-week period along the Portuguese coast to raise money for the Urdd’s Fund for All. Supported by Mr Urdd, the four raised over £3,200 – a total which will enable over 20 children to experience and enjoy a summer camp in the future.
The Fund for All application period has closed for this year, but children and young people can still register to attend one of the Urdd Summer Camps by visiting: www.urdd.cymru
