Taking part in the Graduate Talent Voucher Scheme, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, gave her an insight into the opportunities available locally by taking up an extended placement with young people’s charity GISDA.
As part of her placement, Gwen has been working alongside GISDA’s housing support team to support young parents.
Sharon Thomas, who runs the project, has only praise for her:
“Gwen’s been able to engage with young people we haven’t been able to reach for a long time. I think because she’s not so far from their age, and just a lovely person, they’ve really clicked with her. She’s been able to break down those barriers with about five young people as their key worker in such a short space of time, by giving them time and the attention they deserve. Everyone has been impressed.”
Gwen studied BA Childhood and Youth Studies through the medium of Welsh at ȫƱ, and explains that part of the secret has been winning over trust and building the relationships over time:&n