Bridgend Youth Learn about Local Democracy at Welsh Capital

On Monday 28^th October 2024, a group of young people travelled from Bettws, Bridgend, to the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay. The group took a tour, led by Senedd staff, and learned about many aspects of Wales’ democracy. The trip was part of a larger project called CHOOSE // DEWIS, devised and delivered by local community arts charity Tanio, through funding from BCBC through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

 

Across last Autumn, young residents of Bettws and the surrounding villages met weekly at Tanio’s headquarters to play games, write and sing songs, and devise a new musical theatre show, all about local democracy. CHOOSE // DEWIS has taught young people the importance of democracy at every level, from understanding who their local councillors are and what they do, to knowing why it’s important to vote, to learning how to effect change through pathways like petitions.

 

The project had many facets, but one of the most exciting was the trip to the Senedd. Most of the young participants had never been to the building before, and Senedd Commission staff member Richard Jones emphasised to them that the building is open to all, and that their voices matter there.

 

‘It was great to see how the kids’ understanding of the Senedd grew throughout the day. They got to see so many areas of the building, and were talking about returning in the future to watch a debate. Democracy really came alive for them,’ said Tom Stupple, Tanio Programme Manager for Special Projects.

 

‘One participant had an idea for a petition, and everyone agreed we should come back together to see it debated, if there were enough signatures,’ said project facilitator Catherine Razzell. ‘It became a turning point for CHOOSE // DEWIS, and gave a real focus to the second half of the project.’

 

Those conversations greatly influenced the musical theatre show the young people were devising, and have become the theme of their upcoming performance.

 

The new musical theatre piece, CHOOSE // DEWIS will be performed at Tanio (Sardis Media Centre, Heol Dewi Sant, CF32 8SU) on Saturday 25^th January at 6pm, by the young people who devised and wrote it. Tickets are available for free via Tanio’s website.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.