A group of young researchers from the Rhondda Valley in south Wales have been working with Save the Children Cymru to create a powerful animation to share their ideas on how child poverty can be tackled in Wales.
The aim of the Power of Voice project is to reflect the views of children and young people who live in communities across Wales that are affected by poverty.
Over the past year the group has been working closely with the charity to help gather the experiences of children and young people across Wales and to advise on recommendations for a report.
They also wanted to create an animation to visualise the findings of the research. In a series of workshops the group worked closely with Save the Children Cymru and Tree Top Films production company to storyboard the Power of Voice animation.
In the animation they share ideas on what all children and young people need to ‘learn, grow, and be their best’.
We need more safe and fun spaces like parks, sports clubs and youth centres. There should be enough for all ages, and they should be easy for us to get to—whether at school or around the places we live.
Also, having people around us who are positive role models is super important . . . They help guide us to make good choices and keep us motivated, and they can help us reach our goals in the future.
The animation and report were recently launched at an event in the Senedd hosted by Sioned Williams MS and attended by Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and other cross-party representatives and decision makers.
At the event the young researchers from the Rhondda shared with the Members of the Senedd that efforts to tackle the issue should focus on four key areas:
Money and support – they important that all families have enough money to meet their needs and that children and parents have access to mental health support linked with growing up in areas with higher levels of poverty.
Access to opportunities - support local clubs, groups and charities and ensure children have equal access to education, regardless of where they live.
Voice and respect - provide opportunities for the voices and experiences of children and young people to be heard on matters that affect them and in policy development.
Positive relationships - reduce stigma and bullying associated with poverty and promote positive role models within communities.
Power of Voice young researcher Lawson said: “I’ve learnt from working on the project that not everyone feels like they fit in, they can’t make friends, and they miss out on things because of where they live or that their parents don’t have enough money. It’s important that politicians and people who can make things better for children living in poverty listen to our opinions.”
Bonnie added: “I feel I’ve grown in confidence so much as a person over the past year since taking part in the project. I’ve learnt that youth clubs are really helpful but that there can also be some negative issues around the opportunities available because of lack of money, and transport to get to places.
“It’s been amazing to finally be heard and to hand over the information we’ve gathered from other children and young people from across Wales in a report and in an animation which we feel very proud to have worked on. Hopefully it will bring positive changes for the future.”
Melanie Simmonds, head of Save the Children Cymru said: “The findings of this research project show that children and young people are aware of financial pressures in their households and communities, particularly around the cost of living. The stigma around poverty is also highlighted and how the expectations created by social media and not having enough money to have ‘the right brand or item’ can lead to peer pressure and bullying which can affect children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing as well as their aspirations.
“It is essential to listen to what children and young people have to say and use their ideas to end the injustice of child poverty which impacts the lives of one in three children in Wales.
“It’s time for definitive action to replace empty words and the UK Government must scrap the two-child limit on benefits and the benefits cap. The Welsh Government must also prioritise using all the levers it has to get more money into families’ pockets.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For further media enquiries or interview requests contact Eurgain Haf, Senior Media Manager [email protected].
- View the Power of Voice report here
- The animation storyboard was created by the young researchers from Ferndale Community School during workshops with Save the Children Cymru and Tree Top Films and versions are available in English and Welsh.