09.08.2021

Cardiff Youth Service, part of our Education department, works with young people aged 11-25 to develop their personal, social and educational development through a variety of opportunities.

During the pandemic, they have continued to offer some of their services at a time when some young people needed them the most.

Nikita, 13, was suffering from anxiety and had trouble connecting with school, so a Youth Mentor from Cardiff Youth Service began well-being walks and delivered a food parcel each week. Gradually they built up a strong rapport.

Nikita developed enough confidence to volunteer at Cardiff Dogs Home, motivated by her love of animals.

Throughout lockdown, they worked together via online cooking challenges and socially distanced well-being walks. Once rules were relaxed, the young people using the service decided they wanted a well-being youth group as they had been talking online but never met in person.

The group started meeting on a Wednesday, going on nature walks, cooking and working around a professional development (AQA) course at Gabalfa centre. The centre runs a group that Nikita was interested in attending and - we're pleased to report - she was offered place and is achieving a 100% attendance record.

Her Youth Mentor says' "Nikita has raised attendance, behaviour and aspirations.

She has made friends and built her confidence, she has a place at a school suited to her needs and is excited to start in September.

She has built lots of resilience and learned how to manage her feelings, we really are proud of her achievements."

Nikita says, "I'm so thankful for the support I've received and feel really positive and excited about the future."

We wish Nikita the best of luck for the new term.

A huge thank you to Cardiff Youth Service for everything that you do to support our city's young people.

ℹ️ Young people can also access a range of support and advice from qualifications to mental health, by visiting one of the following websites:

👉https://hwb.gov.wales/zones/keeping-safe-online/support-services/confidential-support

👉https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/supporting-teachers-and-learners-during-coronavirus/your-wellbeing

👉https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people

👉http://www.cardiffyouthservices.wales

👉www.cardiff.gov.uk/whatsnext

We're sharing the stories of our children and young people each week on Cardiff Newsroom and our social media channels - just search#PositiveFuturesCDF #ChildFriendlyCDF

We hope you find these stories helpful and inspiring.