North West Wales Widening Access Network
9.30am, 21st January 2014,
Ffestiniog Room, Neuadd Reichel, Ffriddoedd, Bangor
Chair: Delyth Murphy, (Bangor University/North and Mid Wales Reaching Wider Partnership [NMWRWP])
Attendees: Eifion Owen (Grwp Llandrillo Menai), Linda Evans (NMWRWP), Judith Humphreys (Cofis Bach), Elen Bonner (Pontio, Bangor University), Brec’hed Piette (Open University), Eiriona Rees Hughes (Communities First), Alana Roberts (Grwp Llandrillo Menai), Emily Williamson (Communities First), John Parry (NMWRWP), Sharon Owen (NMWRWP), Anna Macdonald (Bangor University), Shân Robinson (Bangor University Library), Derlwyn Hughes (Medrwn Môn), Bridget Cassidy (Connecting Learners, Cartrefi Cymru), Carwyn Humphreys (Mantell Gwynedd), Laurence Smith (Welsh Government), Olivia Roberts (Conwy Family Learning), Zara Clarke (First Edition –EDT), Andrew Wright (Parys Training), Glyn Price (Communities First), Gwennan Richards (Grwp Llandrillo Menai), Tammi Gwyn (Cofis Bach), Steven Wood (YJS, Gwynedd & Ynys Môn), Danny Richards (Citizens Online), Wendy Williams (CAIS),Bethan Hughes-Jones (Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn), Hywel James (Gwynedd Council Library Services), Andy Davies (Maes G Partnership), Nigel Davies (West Flintshire Communities First), Rebecca Crane (Centre for Mindfulness, Bangor University), Buddug Williams (WEA Cymru), Rowan Hodgkinson (Digartref Ynys Mon), Erfyl Wyn (Partneriaeth MaesG)
Apologies were received by: Bryan Collis (P.O.B.L), Julia Hughes (Grwp Llandrillo Menai), Paula Griffiths (NMWRWP), Else Lyon (TGC/NWH), Sylvia Davies (Grwp Llandrillo Menai), Jan Smith (CVSC), Lois Roberts (Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol), Christine Wynne (Grwp Llandrillo Menai), Wyn Thomas (Bangor University), Carys Roberts (Bangor University), Bethan Morris-Jones (Ysgol Glancegin), Nia O’Marah (Gyda’n Gilydd, Noddfa), Delyth Gwyn (Rhaglenni Teulu Ynys Môn).
1. Welcome
A warm welcome was extended to all.
2. Introduce new members
It was acknowledged that there were a number of new members at the meeting and introductions took place.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 22 October 2013
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as an accurate record.
4. Update from members on developments
Members were invited to report on developments of projects that have already started.
Members were strongly encouraged to explore the possibility for project collaboration.
5. Proposals received for Reaching Wider to date
Delyth listed of projects that have been taken into consideration and approved by NMWRWP. There were no comments regarding these projects from the group.
It was confirmed that funding was still available from NMWRWP and members were informed that this funding is available until March 2014. URGENT ACTION: Projects to be submitted to NWMRWP for funding on an official proposal form before 31 March 2014.
Linda Evans reported that RW successfully received additional funding from HEFCW to run a STEM pipeline project located on Anglesey in collaboration with the work of Energy Island. Linda summarised the vision for the project and indicated that there might be funding possibilities for members who could deliver activities for the project. ACTION: Delyth to distribute the guidelines to members.
6. Two presentations on Widening Access projects
Glyn Price, a Welsh Community artist and Bangor Youth worker, gave a presentation on his involvement with Community projects and activities for children and young people in Gwynedd. He noted that all projects and activities encourage young people to feel a sense of pride towards their local community and help develop confidence, self-worth and various other skills needed for employment. Projects include the creation of large art murals by young people from Maesgeirchen in Bangor and, through art and the incorporation of STEM subjects, encouraged their creative skills, and gave the children a feeling of ownership of their community centre. Glyn noted that children and young people are involved in making decisions on what needs to be carried out and achieved.
Erfyl Wyn gave an overview of their project, which offers young people the opportunity to develop their employment skills by offering work experience at Redline Indoor Karting. On behalf of the project, Erfyl is considering applying for funding from NMWRWP to develop this engagement further.
Nigel Davies, West Flintshire Communities First Co-ordinator, introduced his team and presented their work serving the community of Flint, Holywell and Mold. Nigel reported on a variety of activities and projects within these communities which benefit young people and adults. Included in these activities is the setting up of an academy in a high street shop to gain valuable experience of working in retail and the opportunities develop confidence and skills needed in employment. Nigel encouraged members to approach him for further discussion and to share ideas of how to deliver similar projects in the North West Wales.
Delyth gave thanks for the presentations and requested that further discussions take place following the meeting.
7. Any other business and date of next meeting
All members were invited to give a short presentation on their area(s) of work at the next meeting. ACTION: Anyone interested should contact Delyth directly to discuss further:
Date of next meeting: 9.30-11.30 a.m., Tuesday, 25 March 2014 in Neuadd Reichel, Ffriddoedd, Bangor.