Today, I didn't attend the Royal opening of the National Assembly as you may already know. Although some unkind souls would like to brand it as childish, unprofessional and such, I do believe that Leanne and I represent a section of Welsh society that does not deem the Monarchy relevant to our every day lives here in Wales. I have received much support from constituents, and while there are those who disagree with my stance, I am sure that this is always the case when you choose to declare an opinion which contrasts with that of the status quo, the Establishment, the Royal Family.
Nevertheless, putting the Monarchy to one side, I spent the day with those involved in running the Cyrenians Project in Swansea- a project which helps homeless and vulnerable people in the area. We had a tour of their spectacular building in Swansea- St Matthews Church. An area of the Church has been converted in to a cafe area and social space. From there the project runs various classes, provides healthy meals for homeless people, there is a nurse on site, and many more activities are available for those who choose to use the centre- and there are many!
We also visited the charity's hostel, The Dragon's Arts Centre( where we were given pottery gifts by those who use the centre) and Res a Rec. This scheme collects donated furniture from the local community, restores it where necessary, and passes it on to people who are homeless,the elderly, and those who cannot afford it. The workshop also makes original pieces of art from left over recycled goods, which really are beautiful.
What inspired me about this visit was the passion the organisers have for their jobs- in creating projects that will not only put a roof over people's heads( or seek to do so, budget's and beds permitting), but which helps them with all aspects of their lives- from healthy eating, to taking courses to improve their education, and generally just listening to them and their concerns.
I might have missed the ceremony, yes, but I believe that I had a hugely productive day in raising the awareness of the importance of the work done by charities such as the Cyrenians. As we were leaving, one of those involved in the projects hinted at her support for our actions today, by stating 'Wouldn't it be interesting to find out how many more people we could help if we had access to the money spent on these celebrations today?'
Nevertheless, putting the Monarchy to one side, I spent the day with those involved in running the Cyrenians Project in Swansea- a project which helps homeless and vulnerable people in the area. We had a tour of their spectacular building in Swansea- St Matthews Church. An area of the Church has been converted in to a cafe area and social space. From there the project runs various classes, provides healthy meals for homeless people, there is a nurse on site, and many more activities are available for those who choose to use the centre- and there are many!
We also visited the charity's hostel, The Dragon's Arts Centre( where we were given pottery gifts by those who use the centre) and Res a Rec. This scheme collects donated furniture from the local community, restores it where necessary, and passes it on to people who are homeless,the elderly, and those who cannot afford it. The workshop also makes original pieces of art from left over recycled goods, which really are beautiful.
What inspired me about this visit was the passion the organisers have for their jobs- in creating projects that will not only put a roof over people's heads( or seek to do so, budget's and beds permitting), but which helps them with all aspects of their lives- from healthy eating, to taking courses to improve their education, and generally just listening to them and their concerns.
I might have missed the ceremony, yes, but I believe that I had a hugely productive day in raising the awareness of the importance of the work done by charities such as the Cyrenians. As we were leaving, one of those involved in the projects hinted at her support for our actions today, by stating 'Wouldn't it be interesting to find out how many more people we could help if we had access to the money spent on these celebrations today?'
10 comments:
Da iawn, Bethan - dwi wedi gweld elusenau tebyg wrthi'n gweithio, a dwi yn cytuno eu bod yn ysbrydoli! Dwi dal ddim yn siwr am y boicotio - dim o'i le gyda dy egwyddorion, ond dwi ddim yn siwr os mai hynny oedd y ffordd orau - gan fod y cyfryngau a nifer o bobl lleisiol wedi ymosod arnat, ac efallai y bydd hyn yn ei gwneud yn annodd pan ti'n ymgyrchu dros pethau pwysicach.
Er hynny, cymeradwyaeth mawr ar y gwaith gwych.
Digon teg, ond ar ol gweld y sioe heddiw rwy'n eitha falch mod i ddim wedi mynd! Mae'n bwysig mynd ati i weithio nawr. Dwi wedi cael digon o gefnogaeth. Dyle fe ddim effeithio ar fy ngallu i weithio. Os ydyw e, wedyn mae'n amlwg nad yw pobl yn parchu safiad Gweriniaethol ac mae'n rhywbeth sydd yn rhaid trafod o ddifrif felly.
Cytuno a hynny. Yn amlwg, dwi yn sicr bydd y grwp Plaid yn dy drin mewn ffordd teg. Poeni mwy am y cyfryngau ydw i - gan fod cymaint o wleidyddiaeth yn dibynnu ar adlewyrchiad gohebwyr! Cofia, mae gen ti lawer iawn o gefnogaeth!
Fyddwn i dweud fod yr elusen wedi cael llawer allan o hyn. Fydda nhw byth wedi cael gymaint o sylw am eu gwaith heb yr holl trafodaeth yn y cyfryngau!!!
Peidiwch byth gadael y cyfryngau dylanwadu eich barn a dechrau yr agenda. Yna i ysgrifennu yr newyddion mae nhw ddim creu newyddion! Gwaith ein arweinwyr ydy hyna!!!
Bethan - I admire your principles, but do not agree with your actions on the day. Having said that, it is time that the republican debate was brought out into the open. Why was it neccesary for the Queen to open the Senedd? and for Daf El to fawn so much over her....
What Wales needs is a cross-party group to discuss this issue openly and to campaign for a WELSH republic (not just against the English monarchy). I even suggest a name for this group - National Alliance for a Welsh Republic - NAWR! You and Leanne can campiagn with/for this group - without getting in the way of your AM & PC duties.
I agree that there should be discussion on this. I did, for the record, contact the Republicans who I knew about from other parties before the boycott.
I dont think that yesterday got in the way of duties- I have more work now helping to find various funding streams etc for the groups that I met.
Dear Bethan,
I think it is great that you were able to visit the Cyrenians project, which does a fantastic job of providing support to vulnerable people in the area. A visit of this nature will only serve to promote the hard work and, as you rightly point out, the passion and commitment of the staff that run it. However, this goes hand in hand with my stance regarding your decision not to attend yesterday’s Royal opening. Let me tell you why I think it is important, if not for you personally then certainly for ‘your generation’, that events of this nature take place.
I attended the Royal opening and was a little shocked, although not overly surprised, when I heard a teenage spectator (who later smiled beamingly in recognition of the Royal party) turn to his friend and ask, “Who’s that guy?” (pointing to the Presiding Officer, Lord Elis Thomas). My point is this, whatever your personal opinion towards the British Monarchy one thing is for sure, visits of this nature can only serve to promote the Assembly as a political institution to those that otherwise would have no idea about what going on in the Bay, let alone care! With voter turnout at the recent election pitifully low it IS important for your generation that high profile events such as this take place, and do engage with a population suffering from politically apathy.
Alun, Cardiff
Highlighting the Cyrenians is all well and good, but the homelessness problem in Wales requires much more than the odd visit to a hospice. Apart from addressing the roots of the problem, ie affordable housing and rents, there is a severe lack of beds for the homeless in all parts of Wales.
I totally agree but I have to start somewhere! I will be working on this issue, and affordable housing during the next four years.
I totally agree but I have to start somewhere!
I don't mean to sound overly critical, but I'm pretty much an expert on homelessness in Wales, the UK and Eire.
I will be working on this issue, and affordable housing during the next four years.
Then we'll probably cross paths at some point.
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