Guide to the Voluntary Sector --> Voluntary Sector for Children and Young People

The following resources cover a wide range of services and support that exist in Wales, for children and young people. They include organisations, charities, youth services and resources providing opportunities for children and young people to 'have a say'.

Canllaw Online provides information on education, employment, training, health, housing, law & rights, money, sport & leisure, and the world in general. The website is aimed at young people starting in life, and provides help and advice on most issues likely to affect young people. There are also a number of useful links that would be of interest, and relevant contact information. The website also has a news and focus section in which it explains the issues of the day.

Agencies and organisations

CWVYS is the umbrella body for the voluntary youth sector in Wales and has a membership of 33 organisations that work with over 200,000 young people in Wales aged 11- 25. CWVYS has a place on all Young People's Partnerships in Wales and represents the Youth Network on the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council. CWVYS is the foremost strategic organisation in the voluntary youth sector.

The Wales Youth Agency is a 'non-departmental public body created to support the development of services to young people throughout Wales'. The website posts information on the Agency, its publications, youth services in Wales and related links. Children in Wales is the national umbrella children's organisation in Wales.

The Children and Young section of the Welsh Assembly's website is a valuable resource for government initiatives. The Assembly Government works with local government, the National Health Service and voluntary organisations to achieve the aims of helping young people in Wales fulfill their potential and giving children in Wales a better start in life and supporting vulnerable children. On these pages you will find information on what the Assembly is doing to achieve these aims including an index of topics, a list of publications and details of the Funky Dragon and Children First initiatives.

The Four Nations Child Policy Network is a partnership between Children in Wales, the National Children's Bureau (with the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations), Child Care Northern Ireland, and Children in Scotland. The network will facilitate greater access to policy information, policy development and consultation with policy-makers for the children's voluntary sector. Supported by the Community Fund, the network will use information resources and new technology to empower organisations in the sector, and children and young people themselves, to contribute to and influence policy decisions within and across each of the four nations. Services include a website, an e-briefing service and regular paper based information.

Charities

Children in Need is an annual event organised by the BBC since 1980. Money raised goes to those children experiencing problems or hardships, such as abuse, serious illness and poverty. The website provides details of how to apply for a grant and make a donation and the type of organisations that BBC Children in Need support. Barnado's Wales and the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) are two other charities working with young people in Wales.

Youth Clubs

Many youth clubs exist in Wales and offer a variety of opportunities for young people and are dependent on the voluntary sector. They include Wales Association of Youth Clubs, Clubs for Young People Wales and ScoutBase Wales.

CiC is a network of Youth Clubs in South Wales who work to provide activities for youngsters through the medium of Welsh. Various activities [sports, games, trips] are available. The website offers links to CiC activities in different areas of South Wales, such as Caerphilly, Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taff, as well as a guide to Urdd Gobaith Cymru- the largest youth movement in Europe.

The Disclosure service offers access to records held by the police, Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). It is for organisations that are undertaking thorough recruitment checks, especially for those working with children and vulnerable adults in England and Wales.

Initiatives in your area

This is brief listing of various children and youth initiatives and organisations in various parts of Wales.

• Children's Information Bureau in the Wrexham area.
• Both Carmarthenshire Youth & Children's Association (CICA) and Carmarthenshire Childrens Partnership provide services to children and young people in Carmarthenshire.
• Denbighshire Children's Information Service
• Monmouthshire Youth Council and Monmouthshire Youth Service.
• Valleys Kids, a charity working with disadvantaged children and families in the valleys of South Wales.
• Young Conwy and its sub sections for children and those who are over 13.

Other resources relating to children and young people in Wales

Below is a listing of other important resources relating to children and young people in Wales.

• Childline Wales provides a free 24 telephone helpline and has counselling centres in Swansea and Rhyl for children suffering from abuse.
• Children's Commissioner for Wales established in order to investigate complaints, review available services, and provide a communication channel for the young.
• WiseKids, who are raising awareness of positive and safe Internet use
• WYFSD- The Welsh Youth Forum on Sustainable Development promoting sustainable development with young people in Wales.
• Young Enterprise Wales runs a range of business and enterprise education for young people