Although our young people are passionate about many issues and have a real concern for the future, most of Wales’ young people fail to vote in Welsh elections. It was therefore a pleasure to host the session at the Welsh Conservatives Party Conference in Llangollen which introduced the Welsh Conservatives’ new Youth Shadow Cabinet. Welsh Conservative Group Leader Paul Davies AM, has appointed a Youth Shadow Cabinet from across Wales, aged 14 to 21, to help ensure that the voice of the next generation is heard and encourage more young people to become interested in politics.
At the Conference, I also had useful meetings with Oxfam Cymru, Prostate Cancer UK, RSPB Cymru, MS Society Cymru, Leonard Cheshire Disability Wales, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation Cymru, Community Pharmacy Wales, and Teachers’ Union NASUWT.
Questioning the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams AM, in the Assembly Chamber, I referred to the Deffo! Wales Deaf Youth Forum Assembly petition, calling for improved access to education in British Sign Language, and asked the Minister to respond to their concerns regarding the Welsh Government’s failure to set up an Advisory Group to begin the actions agreed at the February Assembly Debate on their petition.
I also asked her to respond to Welsh Women’s Aid’s reinforcement of the need for designated and trained school Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) lead practitioners to develop and deliver the RSE curriculum and embed RSE in a whole-school approach, as recommended by the Expert Panel to improve impact and access for children across Wales.
RSE is replacing the Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) curriculum in Wales, placing an emphasis on healthy relationships.
With disabled people more likely to experience violence and abuse, I Chaired a joint meeting of the Assembly Cross Party Groups on Disability and on Violence against Women and Children, which launched a joint report between Welsh Women’s Aid and Disability Wales on disabled people’s experiences.
Harmful use of alcohol is declining across the UK population, but increasing among older adults. I will be sponsoring a Charter for Change 'Drink Wise, Age Well' event in the Assembly on 5th June and met Drink Wise Age Well representatives to discuss this.
I also attended the Welsh category Countryside Alliance Awards, with six finalists from North Wales, including Rhydymwyn General Store and Morgan’s Pori Gwych, Caerwys, and the unveiling of a seating area by the Charity Dreams and Wishes, which cares for seriously ill children and their families.
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