This month, we are pleased to share a story focused on the SAFE Foundation, who were successful in their application in applying to the Cardiff Youth Led Grant to facilitate BELONG, a project focused on celebrating culture in Cardiff. The Cardiff Youth Led Grant are small pockets of funding distributed by C3SC annually, and granted through the youth led panel who are represented by young people aged 14-25 making decisions on what youth-led projects to fund.
SAFE Foundation told us, ‘As a Global Solidarity Charity working with young people in South Wales to become global citizens, it has been a joy to support a group of young volunteers to put on a cultural exchange to bring people together and promote diversity and cultural awareness’.
In preparing for the cultural exchange event, the organisation recruited a core group of existing and new SAFE volunteers aged 14-25 to plan the event, recruiting a wider team to help out on the day. The free event was an open opportunity to welcome everyone to spend an afternoon in Railway Gardens, Splott, with culture being shared through music, fashion, traditions, dance, coffee, food, crafts, language and conversation!
Furthermore, the project provided different opportunities to the volunteers taking part including office, shop and coffee volunteering, creating space and time to bring people together and work on something from start to finish – giving them real ownership. he project helped people in Cardiff come together, promote diversity, make connections and learn from one another, with volunteers feeling more connected, valued and really proud. Confidence grew and grew as volunteers learnt through doing, supported by event planning workshops and youth worker advice to help the group without leading. One volunteer addressed the whole event and gave a really impactful speech about the importance of language, sharing a petition to help save their language school at University, which was successful and shared with the group.
In catching up with the group following the event, they told us, ‘The event was such a success, helping to recruit new volunteers and strengthen relationships with local organisations such as Culture Weaver and MOL Education. People learnt about different cultures, food and silly facts, and improved confidence interacting with other volunteers while learning the basics for organising an event.’
Upon feeding back on the whole experience, on volunteer described the volunteering as ‘an insightful and joyful experience’.
C3SC are pleased to hear the success of the project, fulfilling many elements of the youth led grant funding brief focused on bringing unique and rewarding experiences to young people through volunteering, supporting Cardiff’s need for community action in areas that matter most to young people. We look forward to providing you with the next YLG project update. For more information about the fund, please go here and keep an eye out for when the next funding round releases.
