COVID-19 has failed to stop work supporting young people in places such as Abergele and Kinmel Bay.

Wrexham Glyndwr University Youth and Community Work student Sian Pierceis among those hailed by senior lecturer Hayley Douglas during Youth Work Week Wales.

As a result of Covid-19 and the temporary closure of youth clubs since March, Sian – who is a has been working with colleagues to support young people in Area Youth Worker for East Conwy online as well as finding ways to boost their well-being at a critical time.

She said: “Covid-19 has not stopped youth work - although all face-to-face provisions have closed following government guidelines, I continue to support young people through telephone conversations and various social media platforms.

“I have been actively involved in seeking activities that young people could be doing from the comfort of their own homes, and each day different activities are posted online - ranging from arts and craft, cooking and interesting and useful websites where they can access information”

“Working alongside my colleagues, I have been working on activities to encourage young people to complete the ‘five ways of wellbeing’ from home in the hope we can support their physical and mental wellbeing during this difficult time.”

Sian has also found other aspects of her role changing, as Conwy Council adapt their working processes to support residents across the county and help them access vital support.

She added: “In addition to supporting young people, I have also been working on the community support line for Conwy County Borough Council.

“Working on the telephone, I speak directly to members of the public who are need of support of food shopping or collecting prescriptions. Therefore, I am not only continuing to support young people but due to the current pandemic, I am also involved with supporting the wider community.”

To find out more about Wrexham Glyndwr University’s MA in Youth and Community Studies (JNC), visit: https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/Postgraduatecourses/YouthCommunityStudies/