Eradicating the effects of child poverty in Gwynedd

The Gwynedd Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership is committed to an innovative national scheme with the goal of curtailing the effects of child poverty.

The Partnership has signed up to an agreement which is aimed at tackling childhood poverty here in Gwynedd and ensuring that no child or young person will be disadvantaged because of a lack of money.

The Partnership is working towards ideal that every child in the county will have full access to services, opportunities and facilities which will lead to a successful future.

This follows the Assembly Government’s commitment to work towards halving childhood poverty by 2010 and eliminating it by 2020. Earlier this year the Assembly’s Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Dr Brian Gibbons AM, launched the Child Poverty Agreement.

Ground breaking schemes have already been set in motion here in Gwynedd to help children and young people get the best start in life.

Last year a project was launched in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area where school pupils learnt how to open their own savings accounts and how to deal with money.

In November, Gwynedd’s inaugural Children and Young People’s Week will be held. It will be a chance for Gwynedd youngsters to learn about the help and guidance available to them to reach their full potential and it will provide a stage to show off their talents. A discount card, called Cerdyn Ni, will also be available which will open the door to a range of free activities for young people.

Iwan Trefor Jones, the Gwynedd Children and Young People Partnership chairman, said:

“Giving children and young people the best start in life is a priority for us and we are looking forward to working with other groups and agencies to eradicate the effects of child poverty. We’re not just talking about material poverty but also a lack of opportunity and ambition.

“Making sure that all youngsters have the same access to leisure activities, education and work – wherever they live – is vital.

“As a partnership we are also committed to helping families through the current economic downturn, which is a huge burden on the fragile in society.”

The public bodies which have signed up to this agreement, including Gwynedd’s Children and Young People’s Partnership, are also committed to work together on a national level for the benefit of children and young people.

The agreement is a three pronged approach to tackle child poverty: improving life opportunities for deprived individuals; inclusion schemes; encouraging more people to take up government tax breaks and benefits.