A CHARITY supporting LGBT+ young people is calling for volunteers in Wales aged 18 to 25 to help tackle anti-LGBT+ bullying by sharing their experiences in schools.

Just Like Us, the UK-based charity, offers its ambassadors training, career mentoring, media opportunities, and the chance to join a vibrant community of LGBT+ young adults across the UK. The programme equips volunteers to speak confidently about growing up LGBT+, promoting inclusivity and understanding among school pupils.

Ash, an ambassador from the South Wales Valleys, reflected on his journey: “Growing up in the Welsh valleys, there was a lack of diversity, and I experienced bullying that forced me to leave school early. Joining Just Like Us has helped me give children the education I wish I had received. I’ve gained confidence, self-acceptance, and the ability to advocate for trans rights while positively impacting young lives.”

The next ambassador training event will take place in Cardiff on 1–2 March 2025, with travel expenses covered for participants. Applications close at 11:59 pm on 16 February. The two-day event offers a supportive environment where attendees will learn to deliver impactful talks and build lasting connections with like-minded individuals.

Rain, a Cardiff-based ambassador, highlighted the importance of the charity’s work: “LGBT+ school pupils in Wales are the loneliest in the UK, according to research by Just Like Us. By becoming ambassadors, we can change that narrative and make a big difference for future generations.”

Laura Mackay, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, said: “Our ambassadors provide relatable and positive representation, ensuring all young people feel seen, valued, and supported. Their stories inspire pupils and foster a culture of inclusivity and understanding. We’re excited to welcome new ambassadors in Cardiff and watch them transform lives while benefiting from this unique opportunity.”

For more information or to sign up for the training event, visit the Just Like Us website.

SCHOOL transport services in Carmarthenshire faced significant disruption on Wednesday (Jan 3) after icy conditions and a lack of gritting on key routes caused delays and diversions across several rural areas.

Jones Login Coach Travel reported widespread issues on their school routes, with roads around Login, Efailwen, Llanglydwen, Hebron, Glandwr, Llanboidy, and Llanfallteg particularly affected. Managing Director Endaf Jones revealed that many of these roads have been downgraded to secondary gritting routes, meaning they are no longer prioritised for overnight gritting.

Mr Jones said: “We do our best to cover the routes and, where possible, advise on our social media of what is happening. However, we cannot contact individual parents or guardians about the status of school routes.”

The downgrade from primary to secondary gritting routes has raised serious concerns among parents, drivers, and local businesses. Mr Jones urged residents to write to Carmarthenshire County Council and the School Transport Department to highlight their concerns and push for the reinstatement of these roads as primary gritting routes.

“Without proper management of water drainage spilling onto roads, which then freezes, and without consistent gritting services, school transport routes will face regular disruption if freezing temperatures persist,” Mr Jones added.

Local parents expressed their frustrations on social media. One parent, Helen Bantock, said: “It’s hard for you to tell us when we need the info, and this causes a lot of parents stress. I’ve written to the school to ensure no late mark is given as our son takes pride in being on time.”

Another commenter, Samantha Fish, asked for clarification on where to direct concerns. Jones Login advised contacting Carmarthenshire County Council Roads Department and copying in the School Transport Department.

Residents and businesses are now being urged to raise their concerns directly with the council to ensure rural school routes are given priority gritting status, reducing delays and ensuring the safety of schoolchildren and drivers during adverse weather conditions.

The council has been contacted for a comment.

WJEC, the Cardiff-based Welsh exam board, has announced that John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men will no longer be included in the GCSE English syllabus in Wales. The decision comes amid concerns over the book’s repeated use of racial slurs and its potential emotional impact on students.

First published in 1937, the novella explores the friendship between Lennie and George as they navigate life during the Great Depression. Despite its literary significance, the text will be phased out from classrooms starting in September.

Rocio Cifuentes, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, supported the decision, describing the text as “psychologically and emotionally harmful” to Black students.

She explained: “During our research into racism in schools, many Black children specifically mentioned this text and the harm it caused them.”

In Of Mice and Men, the character Crooks, a Black stable hand, is subjected to racial slurs and repeated use of the N-word.

‘Not Censorship’

Ms Cifuentes emphasised that the decision was not about censorship but safeguarding students’ wellbeing.

“This is about protecting children who have told us how harmful classroom discussions around this text have been for them,” she said.

“They’ve often been the only Black child in the room when these discussions occur, surrounded by derogatory depictions of people who look like them.”

WJEC said the decision was part of a broader overhaul that merges English Language and Literature into one GCSE. The board also employed an anti-racism consultant to advise on the selection of appropriate texts.

A WJEC spokesperson said: “We’ve provided a choice of works from writers of diverse backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and communities. This new selection aims to enrich the educational experience with themes that resonate with modern learners.”

Tory Criticism

Natasha Asghar MS, the Shadow Education Secretary, has spoken out against the decision, arguing that banning the book is counterproductive and limits educational opportunities.

“Instead of banning Of Mice and Men, we should teach it within its historical context, showing students how overt racism and sexism were commonplace and accepted in the past, and why this was harmful and wrong.

“Censorship doesn’t solve the problem; it prevents young people from confronting and understanding these prejudices, some of which, sadly, continue.

“Even in 2024, we continue to see racism and sexism in society. If we want to tackle this, then instead of banning a classic text, we would do better to challenge media companies that produce music containing misogynistic language and words with racist connotations.”

Teachers React

Rhian Evans, an English teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen, acknowledged the book’s value but understood the reasoning behind its removal.

She said: “We always addressed the use of the N-word carefully in class, discussing why it shouldn’t be repeated. But as a white woman, I can never fully understand how it feels for a child of colour to encounter that word in an educational setting.”

She added: “There are other authors from diverse backgrounds who explore similar themes in ways more relevant to today’s students.”

Previously, Of Mice and Men and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird were removed from the OCR English Literature syllabus in 2014, after then-Education Secretary Michael Gove pushed for the inclusion of more British authors.

The updated WJEC syllabus includes classics such as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Contemporary additions include Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and Christy Lefteri’s The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

The changes aim to ensure a more inclusive and representative literary curriculum for Welsh students.