NYAS Cymru’s Project Unity runners up in Youth Work in Wales Excellence Award!

NYAS Cymru are delighted to have been placed as runners up for our Project Unity at the Youth Work in Wales Excellence Awards in recognition of excellent youth work practice. The category celebrates and gives recognition to outstanding youth work projects, youth workers and those involved in youth work across Wales.

Project Unity provides intensive wraparound support to young women in care who are either pregnant or have children at risk of entering the care system. The project focuses on keeping families together and breaking the cycle, whilst upholding the rights and entitlements of young women and their children.

The young women involved in the project have access to peer support from each other, establishing forums and opportunities to connect and reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness of being a young parent. NYAS hosts events and workshops for young people on gender equality and campaigns on the rights of young women, and works to demonstrate the power of participation.

Highlighting the success of the project, Project Coordinator for North Wales Nia Gwynfor said, “I’m proud to be working on the Unity Project. I’ve seen first-hand how valued this support is and the huge benefit it brings to the young women it supports. The Unity Project was set up by NYAS Cymru because they identified a need for intensive and holistic support for care experienced pregnant young women and young mothers. It empowers young women by ensuring they have the correct information and support to make informed decisions. The project’s success is down to the involvement of the young women we support.

“I’m incredibly honoured to continue to be part of this highly successful project and that we’ve been recognised and shortlisted for the prestigious Award in the Youth Work Excellence Awards.

Project Unity has also been shortlisted under the category Research Project for the European Social Services Awards (ESSA) 2020. The Research Project Award recognises the contribution of a research team that created knowledge in community social services. In addition to the NYAS Cymru team, special thanks must be given to Dr Louise Roberts who supported and assisted our research.

For more information on Project Unity, visit www.nyas.net.