Urdd offers £1 membership to young people from low income households

The Urdd has announced it is offering a year’s membership to children and young people from low-income households for £1, instead of £10.

Ahead of World Children’s Day on November 20, the youth organisation said it wants to ensure every child and young person, whatever their social background, can take part in its activities.

Recent statistics have shown that 1 in 5 pupils in Wales are eligible for free school meals.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s ‘Fund for All – Urdd Summer Camp Fund’ has already enabled hundreds of children and young people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to have a holiday, to enjoy Summer Camps at Glan-llyn, Llangrannog and Cardiff residential centres.

The fund will reopen for applications by parents and schools on behalf of children in January 2022.

“The statistics showed that child poverty in Wales was rising before the pandemic, but the pandemic has had a significant impact on the wellbeing and physical activity of children, especially those from low-income families,” explains Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

“As a national youth organisation, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to ensure that a family’s financial circumstance does not need to mean a child losing out on opportunities. Offering support to others is at the heart of our work, and we are determined to do all we can to ease the impact of the pandemic on our youth as well as their families.”

The announcement has been welcomed by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland, as well as schools across the country.

‘Take up their rights’ 

The Commissioner said: “The Urdd offers many thousands of children and young people in Wales the opportunity to take up their rights to socialise, to relax and play and to develop their talents and interests.

“The Urdd’s commitment to support children of all backgrounds to have an equal chance to take up their rights shines throughout their work.

“Over recent years this has included bespoke programmes for children in touch with social services and ground-breaking support for refugee families. This offer builds on these foundations by ensuring that the Urdd’s activities are affordable and accessible, regardless of family income.”

Iwan Ellis, Head of Ysgol Bro Eirwg, Cardiff said: “As a school where nearly 30% of our pupils receive free school meals – and that number continues to rise – this new membership offer by the Urdd has been welcomed by staff and parents alike. Covid has clearly affected everyone financially, but this offer will enable more parents to ensure their children can join the Urdd.”