Welcome to GISDA's News Page.

Read about our latest activities, important updates, and inspiring stories.

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SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN US FOR CAERNARFON PRIDE 2024!

This summer, celebrate diversity and inclusion at Caernarfon Pride on June 29th! Get ready for a vibrant festive experience filled with:

  • A colourful parade winding through the historic streets of Caernarfon
  • Electrifying live music and performances throughout the day
  • A variety of stalls offering food, drinks, and merchandise (details to come!)

We are also actively seeking sponsorship from local businesses, and volunteers to help make Caernarfon Pride a day to remember! If you would like to get involved, please get in touch - gisda@gisda.co.uk - 01286 671153

Keep an eye on our Facebook Event Page for more details and updates - tinyurl.com/Balchder-Caernarfon-Pride

All welcome - come join the celebration!

Newyddlen Gwanwyn

GISDA SPRING NEWSLETTER

Put your feet up, grab a cuppa and catch up on the latest GISDA news in our new Spring Newsletter!


Efrog Newydd

GISDA'S YOUNG PEOPLE TO EMBARK ON LIFE-CHANGING TRIP TO NEW YORK

This April, a group of young people from GISDA will embark on an incredible adventure across the Atlantic to explore the LGBTQ+ community in New York City! This incredible adventure, made possible thanks to the Welsh Government's Taith programme, is part of a broader 3-way project comparing the lives of LGBTQ+ young people in Wales, New York and Poland. Accompanied by GISDA staff members, including some who are involved in our LGBT Project, the young people will have the chance to connect with their peers in the Big Apple. This immersive experience will allow them to compare their experiences and gain an understanding of the lives and challenges of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide.

A highlight of the trip will be a visit to the Ali Forney Center, the largest organisation dedicated to LGBTQ+ homeless youth in the United States. Here, our young people will have the opportunity to discover the resources and programs offered by the organisation, gaining valuable insights into how things are done compared to back home in Wales. There will also be visits to similar organisations, and, of course, an opportunity for the group to explore some of New York’s iconic landmarks.

At GISDA, we are passionate about creating a world where every young person, regardless of who they are, feels safe, supported, and empowered, and are incredibly excited to see our young people embark on such an impactful journey. We're busy finalising the plans for this unforgettable experience which will provide an opportunity for them to discover a new city, gain confidence, broaden their understanding of the world and create memories that will last a lifetime. We are incredibly grateful to Taith for their support, which has made this life-changing trip possible.

Stay tuned to our social media channels as we share updates and stories from the trip!

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GISDA WINS AT THE YOUTH WORK EXCELLENCE AWARDS!

We are incredibly proud to have been awarded the Welsh Language Innovation Award at the Youth Work Excellence Awards, held on February 22nd at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. This award recognises our ongoing commitment to providing vital youth support services bilingually, ensuring that vulnerable young people in Gwynedd can access the support they need in their first language.

At GISDA, we firmly believe that language should never be a barrier to accessing essential resources. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment where young people feel comfortable seeking help and expressing themselves freely.

This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff, who go above and beyond to ensure our services are accessible to all. We would also like to express our gratitude to the young people who utilise our services, and to our supporters who share our commitment to empowering young people in Wales.

Julie Morgan

DEPUTY MINISTER JULIE MORGAN MS VISITS ICAN HUB IN CAERNARFON

GISDA recently welcomed Deputy Minister Julie Morgan MS to the ICAN Hub in Caernarfon. Accompanied by representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board and the Welsh Government, the visit highlighted the critical need for accessible mental health support like ICAN, which provides young people in Gwynedd with confidential therapy, therapeutic workshops, and a supportive community.

The visit provided a great opportunity to showcase ICAN's incredible work supporting young adults' mental health. Deputy Minister Morgan, along with the other guests, met with staff and management, learned about the project's impact and challenges, and witnessed a therapeutic session in action.

A huge thank you to all for taking the time to come and see us and for taking such a keen interest in the ICAN project and the wider work of GISDA. Funded by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, ICAN works hand-in-hand with the NHS in supporting young adults with their mental health. The project offers easily accessible support to ensure no one has to face mental health struggles alone.

Y Maes

Y MAES PROJECT RECEIVES VISIT FROM WELSH GOVERNMENT MINISTER

We were delighted to welcome the Minister for Finance & Local Government, Rebecca Evans MS, to GISDA this week alongside her officials, Gwynedd Council staff and elected members. We are so grateful to them all for visiting and taking so much interest in our work, and we are happy to say that they were very impressed with the progress made on our exciting project, Y Maes. We eagerly look forward to welcoming them back upon its completion.

We wish to extend our thanks and gratitude to the Welsh Government and Cyngor Gwynedd for funding the project, which is all about empowering Gwynedd's youth by creating a unique space that offers homes, opportunities, support, and a vibrant hub for the community. When finished, Y Maes will consist of 4 self-contained flats which will provide a stable home for vulnerable young people, office space for GISDA staff, a café and training centre plus a multi-purpose hub for the area's young people.

Enwebiad

GISDA NOMINATED FOR AWARD AT YOUTH WORK EXCELLENCE AWARDS!

We are thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Welsh Language Innovation Award at the Youth Work Excellence Awards 2023!

This nomination recognises our commitment to providing comprehensive support and youth services through the medium of Welsh, as well as supporting the use of Welsh in our wider work.

We believe that it is of vital importance for young people to be able to access services in their first language so that they feel more confident and comfortable, and we are proud to offer our services completely bilingually.

Best of luck to the other nominees. We look forward to the ceremony in February 2024.

JOIN THE GISDA MANAGEMENT BOARD

Are you passionate about helping young people in Gwynedd?

We are looking for a new trustee to join our Board. As a trustee, you will have the opportunity to help shape the path and future of our services, and make a real difference in the lives of the young people we support. We are looking for someone who is passionate about our mission and is committed to supporting our work in the community.

If you are interested in applying or know someone who would be a good fit, then please contact Elizabeth George for more information⤵️⤵️

✉️elizabeth.george@gisda.co.uk

ICAN AWARD

ICAN RECOGNISED FOR EXCELLENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Our ICAN project scooped the Silver Award for Best Mental Health Support Service at the Mental Health & Well-being Awards in Cardiff this October. This award recognises the team's dedication and tireless efforts towards making a real difference in improving young people's mental health. Well done and thank you to all involved - we're thrilled! We also wish to thank Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board for financing the project.