A local website is launching a new page to help young people with their problems. Ask Jo is the new advice page being launched by YouthDen.com, the website for children and young people in Denbighshire.
The website co-ordinator said, “We are always asking children and young people what they would like to see on YouthDen and one of the most asked for items is a problem page. We are very glad that we have been able to meet that need and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us to set Ask Jo up.
“Obviously we will not be able to go into details on a one to one basis, but Ask Jo should be able to help with many of the problems that young people face.”
If you have a problem that is worrying you and you don’t know who to talk to or you have a friend who has told you a problem and you don’t know how to help them, you can Ask Jo by:
Texting “Jo” to 07800 140088. Texts are charged at your normal network rate.
You can e-mail your question to askjo@denbighshire.gov.uk
Write to Ask Jo, YouthDen.com, Customer Care Service, County Hall, Ruthin, LL15 1YN.
You don’t even have to say who you are, problems and replies will then be published on the website.
If you need to talk to someone, why not call ChildLine on 0800 1111.
A taste of South Africa comes to Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen next week (Monday, September 28), as two visitors from the rural Drakensburg Mountain region head to the Dee Valley as part of an educational exchange programme.
This is a reciprocal visit after two teachers from Ysgol Dinas Bran spent a week in Mazwendoda High School at Easter, forging links and setting up a mutual sports project. This visit was funded by the British Council.
The South African headteacher and link teacher will spend four days at the school where they will observe lessons and become immersed in the Welsh culture. Part of their visit will also include learning some basic Welsh which will then be used on the first ‘Welsh Day’ on their return to their school in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region.
Headteacher at Ysgol Dinas Bran, Alison Duffy, said: “The link between both schools has already been made and we will be delighted to welcome the South African delegation to our school for a true taste of Welsh life and an opportunity to see how our education system works in Wales.
“The delegation will also attend assemblies, will meet the Mayor of Llangollen and have a tour of the local area. The meeting will also be an opportunity to further develop the Sports Project, as well as initiate some new links between departments in both schools”.
Conwy and Denbighshire County Councils have put together a code of practice that sets out how they will work with youngsters with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 25 who need help as they move in to adult life.
Becoming a grown up can be a trying time for anyone, but can be especially challenging for youngsters with disabilities. The Councils have been working together to put principles and best practice in place and learn from each other about things they can do and ways they can help. The Social Services Departments, Education Departments, the NHS Trust and Careers Wales have all been involved in looking at what should be included.
The councils work with youngsters to help them think about what they want out of life as they become adults and then help them to plan how they will achieve their life goals. Both authorities work closely with partner organisations to make sure that everybody knows what the plan is and that all organisations are working in a co-ordinated way to help the young person.
More information about the code of practice, called the Transition Protocol, will be available at a launch event on 25 September at 10am, at Kinmel Manor Hotel in Abergele where the key note speaker will be Sally Rees of Care Co-ordination Network UK. Sally works with the Welsh Assembly Government on developing best practice in supporting young people with disabilities in the transition to adult life across Wales.
Anyone interested in attending the launch, should contact Julie Pickman, Transition Officer for Denbighshire on 01824 712750 or e-mail Julie.Pickman@denbighshire.gov.uk