On Thursday 28th November, the St Giles Cymru team were pleased to welcome Vikki Howells MS, the Minister for Further and Higher Education to their Cardiff office.
Meeting staff, partners and peers who have participated or run projects spanning St Giles educational work in prisons and the community. The Minister also spent time with members of the team who had recently taken part in an international learning exchange to Norway. Funded through the Welsh Government’s ‘Taith’ scheme, the group took their peer support model beyond borders and shared learning and best practice at a recovery centre and vocational college in Trondheim.
Watch the video about the exchange here.
Taith supports learning from other communities and cultures across the world, whilst also promoting Wales as a country of collaboration and innovation. Since 2022 Taith has funded 327 Welsh organisations to support 199 projects in over 90 countries.
Maleeha, a participant who went on the Taith experience, said:
“Visiting Norway really opened my eyes to the different ways of approaching recovery. I’m grateful to Taith for funding the trip and providing invaluable experiences that I will be bringing back to this work in Wales.”
Minister for Further and Higher Education Vikki Howells, added:
“Taith is a true Welsh success story, it offers learners, of all ages, a unique opportunity to broaden horizons and embark on a journey that shapes their personal and professional lives for years to come.
Peer mentors and staff at St Giles Cymru have spoken passionately about the positive impact these experiences have had on them. From boosting their confidence to helping them to discover new ways to help those around them. I am incredibly proud we are able to offer so many learners with a rewarding and cultural experience that will last a lifetime.”
Read the full press notice here: