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Pessimism among Welsh youth: A generation fearing a dim future

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IN A REVEALING survey conducted by Barnardo’s Cymru and YouGov, a staggering 58% of Welsh teenagers have voiced concerns that their futures will be bleaker than those of their parents. The study, which engaged with 225 youths aged between 14 and 17, unveiled a distressing outlook on their life prospects at the age of 30, with over a third worrying about the fate of their future offspring.

Amid escalating concerns over financial instability, environmental crises, and job scarcity, the sentiment among the surveyed cohort is grim. A respondent encapsulated the prevailing anxiety, highlighting personal and familial struggles despite academic accomplishments. This echoes a broader apprehension about achieving a comfortable standard of living, with 22% of the participants doubtful about their financial future.

The data further exposes a sense of helplessness among the youth, with 12% feeling powerless to alter their destined paths. The narrative of hard work not equating to job security is a recurring theme, adding to the disillusionment.

Sarah Crawley, Director of Barnardo’s Cymru, expressed her dismay at the findings, questioning the future we are carving for our children. She criticized the insurmountable barriers faced by the youth, a generation seemingly condemned to a deteriorating quality of life, devoid of the opportunities that previous generations had.

The survey coincides with Barnardo’s recent report, “Changing Childhoods, Changing Lives,” which paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by UK children in 2024. The document details the compounded effects of the cost of living crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and environmental concerns on child wellbeing, predicting a dire future marked by declining mental health, increased online exploitation, and more children entering care.

Dylan Thomas, a 20-year-old from Newport, who has benefited from Barnardo’s Newport Young Carers service, shared his perspective on the tough realities faced by his peers. He lamented a society increasingly divided by wealth, where young people are judged superficially, and the essence of community and collective values are being eroded.

Dylan, whose education suffered due to his caring responsibilities, underscores the importance of support systems for young carers. He now works at Cardiff and Vale College, a role that has provided him with much-needed stability and a sense of purpose, highlighting the challenges young people face in gaining employment without prior experience.

In response to these pressing issues, Barnardo’s has announced a new three-year strategy aimed at addressing the crisis. The charity is rebranding to resonate more with the youth and is calling on the Welsh Government for collaboration to mitigate the long-term impacts of current challenges.

Last year, Barnardo’s supported over 373,000 individuals across the UK, demonstrating a significant effort to improve the lives of children and young people. With its deep-rooted presence in Welsh communities, Barnardo’s Cymru is committed to ensuring that the voices of the young are heard and that they are given the opportunities to thrive amidst adversity.

Charity

Young fundraiser’s incredible efforts for RNLI

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THE CREW of Tenby RNLI have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to 5-year-old Archie Garland for his outstanding fundraising efforts in support of the station.

Archie took part in the Advent Challenge with the Tenby Aces over Christmas, running a minimum of one mile every day throughout Advent. His dedication saw him cover an impressive 47.3 miles, raising a remarkable £552.25 thanks to generous donations from the local community.

Archie is pictured with (L-R): Deputy Coxswain Gary Waring, his dad and Deputy Coxswain Rob Garland, Deputy Coxswain Dan Young, station full-time mechanic Will Horton, and his mum, Tenby Aces member Claire Thomas.

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Charity

Veterans rally to repair storm damage in Milford Haven

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MILFORD HAVEN’S VC Gallery veterans have stepped up to restore a woodland area hit hard by recent high winds.

The Woodlands in Milford suffered significant damage, with fallen trees crashing onto a farmer’s fence, endangering livestock and damaging the enclosure.

In response, a team of veterans, including trustee Mark Shuttleworth, Simon, Steve, and volunteer of the year Donna Evans, was deployed to clear the trees and rebuild the fencing.

The Woodlands project, run by VC Gallery, offers opportunities for people to connect with nature while learning about biodiversity and conservation.

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Charity

New charity offers grants to young people in Pembrokeshire

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A NEW charity aimed at supporting young people in Pembrokeshire has been established and is now accepting applications for its first round of grants.

The Tenby & County Trust (TACT) was created using funds from the sale of the former Tenby & County Club on The Croft, with the aim of helping young people aged between five and 18 pursue their aspirations.

Trustee David Blackmore explained: “The purpose of TACT is to provide grants that enable young people in Pembrokeshire to follow their ambitions, whether in the creative arts, culture, sports, adventure, science, or languages.”

Substantial investment

Following the sale of the County Club for redevelopment, club members—who were entitled to a share of the proceeds—voted to establish a charity to benefit local youth.

“The money has been invested, and while we are not disclosing the exact amount, it is a considerable six-figure sum,” said Mr Blackmore.

The trust is managed by local trustees, all of whom have either been involved with the former County Club or played significant roles in education within Pembrokeshire.

How to apply

Young people interested in applying for a grant must submit an application via email. This should include the names and email addresses of two supporting sponsors and a statement of no more than 500 words outlining how they would use the funds, including a breakdown of costs.

Grants will be issued quarterly, with the next application deadline set for March 1, 2025. Grants are only available to individuals.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit tenbyandcountytrust.org.

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