Urdd to receive £1.3 million from Welsh Gov to help it through pandemic

The Welsh Government has announced that it’s giving the Urdd £1.3 million to help it get through the pandemic.

The youth organisation says it is facing the biggest challenge in its 98-year history due to Covid-19, and according to Eluned Morgan, the Minister for the Welsh language, the fund will enable it to safeguard key jobs and to start to rebuild.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru had been forced to cut its workforce in half, and its three centres, which attract over 40,000 visitors annually, remain closed to residents.

It has also decided to postpone the Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod for another year because of the pandemic, which means it will now not be held until May 2022.

Eluned Morgan said: “I’m really pleased to announce today that we will be providing an extra £1.3 million to support the Urdd in its recovery and to help it rebuild.

“The Urdd is one of Wales’ largest third sector employers, providing a whole range of Welsh medium experiences and activities for young people, helping deliver the aims of our Cymraeg 2050 strategy of a million Welsh speakers, and supporting community youth and apprenticeship programmes.

“This funding will help safeguard key jobs at the Urdd, helping it to start rebuild and create new job opportunities.

“More than 60 additional staff will be employed and the Urdd has plans to create up to 300 new Welsh-medium apprenticeships over the next three years.”