Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

Today I had the privilege of delivering the opening address at the celebration event of Swansea Young Families Scheme at the The Liberty Stadium in Swansea. It was established in 1994 to address the needs of young vulnerable families- bringing together tenancy support in the home, group work activities and creche sessions.

The support given at the Integrated Children’s Centre in Penlan has provided  young parents with training on how to control their finances, learn how to take care of their children, and on empowering young parents to seek both educational and job opportunities. I spoke to some of the young mothers who have benefited from the scheme before the event started, and they told me about how much they had changed since entering the scheme two years ago- from being too scared to leave the house, to not coping rearing their children alone or managing their finances, to being young and confident women after their time there- taking part in public events and enrolling on taster courses for nursing and so on. Like when I visit such organisations usually, I was equally as inspired by the energy the women exuded.

The young people took part in a dramatic presentation this morning of a woman coping with raising a child with an uninterested and lazy boyfriend in tow, and a mother who had turned to alcohol. We were then told to analyse the drama, and the young women in the audience told us how they feel that people look through them when they seek help from benefits or housing advisers, how they take all responsibility on their shoulders alone, and how juggling all responsibilities are a challenge.

It only goes to show that much more has to be done to support young families and young mothers especially, and this is where work to eradicate child poverty comes in of course, and our determination in the Assembly to address issues surrounding social inequality, and in empowering women.  Perhaps people thought that my blog post the other day was somewhat depressing, but that was never the intention. After today’s event, I again feel motivated you will be glad to know!  They were really pleased to see a young female Assembly Member, and if I can’t be positive about that, then who will be?!