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Urdd message calls to tackle child poverty stigma

Sara Dafydd
BBC News
BBC Teenagers Alfie and Tia look at the camera. Alfie has short, curly brown hair and braces and is wearing a brown jacket with a Rolling Stones t-shirt underneath. Tia has long, blonde hair and glasses and is wearing a red top. They both have green lanyards onBBC
Tia and Alfie say there is a "stigma" around child poverty

There is "stigma" around child poverty in Wales, according to young people living in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Students have shared their views after taking part in this year's peace and goodwill message by youth organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

Now in its 103rd year, the message makes an "urgent call" for action as latest figures by the UK government reveal nearly one in three children in Wales are living in poverty.

On Wednesday the Welsh government announced it was awarding £1.5m to 25 organisations working with families in poverty.

The Urdd's peace and goodwill message is an annual tradition which started more than a century ago where the young people of Wales send a message to the rest of the world.

It was first sent out in 1922 via Morse code.

This year's message was created by students at Coleg y Cymoedd in Nantgarw with the help of Katie Hall, lead singer of Welsh band Chroma.

It takes the form of a poem and was written by Katie following discussions and workshops with students from the college.

Tia-Louise Griffiths and Alfie Warner, both 18, were involved in choosing this year's theme of child poverty.

Tia said it was an "empowering experience" to be part of "a Welsh tradition of over 100 years".

Urdd Gobaith Cymru A workshop with a group of young people all sat around long tables grouped in a square. There are water bottles, mugs, books and print outs scattered across the tables with a projector facing away from the shot.Urdd Gobaith Cymru
The message's theme is chosen by a group of young people each year

Tia added there was a "stigma" around child poverty and hopes the message will reach young children.

According to Alfie young people often get "alienated" because of poverty, but "usually, the people who are picking on them are going through poverty too".

He added: "It's something we've got to unite on and not alienate each other."

Katie said: "If this poem could change someone's perception of poverty, of child poverty, that would be amazing."

Eurgain Haf in a crochet white cardigan and black top. She has short blonde hair and is wearing drop earrings and a necklace with a large pink stone pendant on.
According to Eurgain Haf, child poverty rates are set to increase

This year's peace and goodwill message will become the first ever project from Wales to receive patronage from the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

UK government statistics confirmed 31% of children in Wales now live in poverty, but Eurgain Haf, senior media manager for Save the Children Wales, said this figure was "set to rise" with nearly five million UK children predicted to be living in poverty by 2030.

She said scrapping the two-child benefit limits would "lift thousands of children and families out of poverty".

The UK government said it was "committed to bringing down child poverty and giving every child the best start in life".

It added that a child poverty taskforce was looking at "how best to achieve this" and was "increasing benefits in line with inflation, increasing the Living Wage and introducing a new fair repayment rate on Universal Credit".

The Urdd has committed to continue appealing to low-income families, which make up 25% of members, according to chief executive Sian Lewis.

It offers £1 membership for lower income households, stays at its residential centres to young people who would not otherwise be able to have a summer holiday and will offer free entry to lower-income households at this year's Eisteddfod yr Urdd in Margam Park.