Safer Merthyr Tydfil via a service contract delivers Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s borough wide Youth Participation Service ensuring young people within the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil are provided with the opportunity to influence and shape the services that affect them in line with the UNCRC rights of the child.
The Merthyr Tydfil Borough Wide Youth Forum (MTBWYF) meets bi-monthly
The Youth Cabinet is made up of members from MTBWYF who are interested in making sure young people are seen, listened to and their voices are heard and make a difference to services for young people, meeting at the Voluntary Action Centre, 89-90 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil -6.30pm to 8.00pm. These meetings are open to all young people in the Borough 11- 25 years of age.
Being a member of MTBWYF can have a positive impact on the lives of young people by:
- Increasing young people’s knowledge and self esteem
- Assisting young people to recognise and aspire to their goals and aspirations
- Gain confidence speaking in public
- Develop projects and resources around issues that affect young people
- Have a greater understanding of the democratic system
- Challenge the decision-making process
Young people 11 to 23 years of age can nominate themselves as a candidate for the Youth Mayor role. During the first year they will serve as the Deputy Youth Mayor and the second year will take on the role of Youth Mayor. The Youth Mayor is a role model for young people in the Borough and is expected to attend functions and events with Merthyr Tydfil’s Mayor. The Youth Mayor is also invited to attend events and functions that are relevant to the successes and celebrations of young people.
We work closely with Democratic services to ensure that every young person can vote for who they want to represent them as the Youth Mayor. The Hustings/voting takes place annually in October and the Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor are inaugurated into their role in May the following year.
YOUTH MAYOR INAUGURATION 2024
Deputy Youth Mayor Jacob Bridges 2024-2025
On Friday 10th May 2023, the Youth Mayor Inauguration took place at the Civic Centre in Merthyr Tydfil. Dylan Morgan Thomas became the 14th Youth Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil and Jacob Bridges became the Deputy Youth Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil.
In his acceptance speech, the Youth Mayor outlined his three pledges for his term of office. These pledges demonstrate his ability to speak the Welsh language and his wish to promote the use of the Welsh language amongst the younger population of Merthyr Tydfil. He also outlined his passion, for the protection of our environment and the local wildlife.
Dylan thanked the young people of Merthyr Tydfil for their votes saying, “It is for them that I will work hard to make their voices heard and give this position the level of commitment and dedication it deserves”.
Following the official ceremony the Youth Mayor’s Gala ball took place at Morlais Castle Golf Club where the room and table setting reflected both Dylan’s love of Welsh heritage, Welsh language, and the natural world.
On behalf of the Youth Mayor, Deputy Youth Mayor and Youth Cabinet we would like to thank you all for your ongoing support and especially to those who endured the heat to join us in celebrating this wonderful occasion! We look forward to seeing the great things we know both these newly inaugurated individuals will achieve and look forward to sharing their achievements with you.
For further information about the programme or how to get involved, please contact: Emma Bagnall: eb@smt.org.uk
In My House…. Yn Fy Nhy
MTBWYF supported by Safer Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil Youth Services and Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board has produced an animation on the issue of child to parent domestic abuse.
To view “In My House”, please select this link. (Welsh version here)
Additional Resources:
Domestic-Abuse-workshop-notes-2Download
Domestic-abuse-workshop-presentation-2Download
