Urdd Gobaith Cymru

The Urdd is Wales’ largest organisation for children and young people. They provide valuable sporting and cultural opportunities to young people in Wales and the organisation celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

Each year, the children and young people of Wales raise their voice through the Urdd's Peace and Goodwill Message to bring attention to a particular major global topic. This year’s message, delivered in May, will focus on the Climate Emergency.

Last autumn the organisation opened up its residential centre in Cardiff Bay to well over 100 children and families as part of the Afghan resettlement scheme. The Urdd's best practice is now being implemented again, through use of a residential centre to support up to 250 people arriving from Ukraine.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“I’m particularly delighted to publicly commend Urdd Gobaith Cymru, in its centenary year, for working so hard to provide a warm and distinctly Welsh welcome for people fleeing trauma and humanitarian disaster. The Urdd truly demonstrated the ‘Team Wales’ approach we’ve developed along with other partner organisations, in going beyond their normal role and providing a vital catalyst for our efforts to welcome individuals and families seeking sanctuary in Wales.

“We are committed to being a Nation of Sanctuary, and the Urdd have been an inspiring example of what this looks like in practice.”