by promocymru_admin | 8th Jun 2012

NYAS Cymru, which makes up one-fifth of Cywaith, the management board for the MEIC helpline, is very pleased to have trained 10 young people across Wales to become peer advocates.

Peer Advocates are young people who share similar experiences with their peers and provide them with the knowledge and understanding of what others are going through.  Peer advocacy is not replacing professional advocacy, but enhances and complements the range of advocacy services children and young people can access.

All the young people who took part in the project are care leavers or young carers wanting to make a difference to the lives of others within their communities.

NYAS Cymru mentored the young people through a recruitment, selection and training process which resulted in 10 qualified young people receiving an ACN Level 2 Open Award in Peer Advocacy.

It is envisaged that these young people will be able to use this qualification and their experience and skills to help them support others and become part of an advocacy service which recognises the contribution that can be made from Peer Advocates.

NYAS Cymru recognised the young people’s achievements with a celebration evening in the Senedd where they received their certificates. Guest speakers included the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler.

For more information, click here.

To read about the MEIC project, click here.

You can view the photos and video from the evening here and here.