The Spring edition of the Children in Wales magazine – we’re on page 8
Shaped around the ‘Children in Wales theme at their Annual Conference, ‘Voices in Action: Putting Participation at the heart of change’, this issue highlights that when young people are genuinely involved, services work better for everyone.
Read now: https://isu.pub/3PxcECB
Darllenwch nawr: https://isu.pub/5TONFnH
A new partnership between Piws and Yr Urdd is set to reshape the experience of disabled children, young disabled adults, and their families at one of Wales’s most cherished cultural events. When the Urdd National Eisteddfod arrives on the Isle of Anglesey, visitors will find something never offered on this scale: a dedicated safe space designed with, for, and around the needs of disabled families.
For Piws, this collaboration marks a significant step in its mission to raise awareness of the everyday barriers faced by families with disabled children. Too often, these families navigate public spaces with uncertainty, unsure whether venues will be accessible, whether staff will understand their needs, or whether they will be welcomed without judgement. Piws exists to change that landscape. Central to this mission is its growing network of Access Ambassadors: families with disabled children and young disabled adults who choose a place they want to visit, go out and enjoy themselves, and then report back on their experience. Their insights help others with similar impairments visit with confidence, while also giving venues the practical knowledge they need to make meaningful, reasonable adjustments.
The Urdd, with its long-standing commitment to young people and Welsh culture, recognised the importance of this work and embraced the opportunity to co‑design something transformative. Together, Piws and the Urdd have shaped a space that goes far beyond a quiet corner or a temporary tent. This is a purposeful, fully considered environment where disabled visitors can take a breath, reset, and feel genuinely catered for.
Located close to a dedicated car park, the safe space will offer reassurance from the moment families arrive. Inside, visitors will find a calm, welcoming environment where they can simply be, whether that means enjoying sensory‑friendly activities, taking part in gentle entertainment, or relaxing away from the crowds. For some, it will be a place to regroup before heading back into the bustle of the Maes. For others, it may become the heart of their Eisteddfod experience.
Crucially, the space also creates a channel for disabled families and Access Ambassadors to share their insights directly with Piws. Visitors will be invited to reflect on their experience of the Eisteddfod, what worked well, what could be improved, and what changes would make future events more accessible. This feedback will be handled with care and used to help the Urdd, and other organisations across Wales, understand how to make their spaces more inclusive.
This first collaboration is intentionally designed as a learning opportunity. Piws and the Urdd are approaching it with openness, curiosity, and a commitment to listening. Every family who steps into the safe space will help shape what comes next, not only for future Eisteddfodau, but for wider cultural and community events across Wales.
And for organisations who want to be part of this movement, who want to share resources, welcome disabled visitors with confidence, and learn directly from lived experience, Piws warmly invites you to get in touch.
Together, we can build a Wales where inclusion is not an aspiration but a lived reality.
