Cynon Youth Forum

Cynon Youth Forum

YEPS are fully committed to supporting young people in RCT to have a voice in their community and make a positive difference to where they live and for those around them. We aim do this with 3 local youth forums in Rhondda, Cynon and Taff that you can now join.

If you are aged 11-25 and live in RCT you can be a part of one of our Youth Forums and work on community projects, support services tackling key issues and receive training that can help with vital skills for the future. More importantly YOU can have YOUR say on what happens where you live and on the key decisions in your area.

 

What is a youth forum?

A youth forum is run and developed by young people for young people. Youth forums exist to represent the views of young people, giving them the opportunity to be heard on their ideas, opinions and needs. This creates a space where young people can discuss issues, engage with decision makers such as youth workers, governance boards and staff of other organisations, and contribute to improving and developing services for young people.

Why join a youth forum?

• Gain/Increase confidence
• Learn new skills
• Make a difference
• Build new relationships
• Add it to your CV/college applications/UCAS
• Be empowered and take a lead in decision making
• See your ideas come to life
• Earn rewards 
• Because it’s fun!

Dates:

• Monday 3rd November, 5:00pm – 7:00pm @ Sobell Leisure Centre, Aberdare
• Monday 1st December, 5:00pm – 7:00pm @ Sobell Leisure Centre, Aberdare

To join the Cynon Youth Forum Meetings click here to book your place!

Venue: Sobell Leisure Centre, The Ynys, Aberdare CF44 7RP

Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Staff Members:

Laura Banyard, James Hawker and Lauren Chapman

(Laura.Banyard@rctcbc.gov.uk);  (James.Hawker@rctcbc.gov.uk); (Lauren.Chapman@rctcbc.gov.uk);

 

 

 

Last meeting minutes:

Date: Monday 3rd November 2025
Time :5pm – 7pm
Location: Sobel Leisure Centre
Members present: 9 young people were present
Apologies: 5 people messaged to say they could not make it

1. RCT Council budget talk/discussion
   1. Discussion lead by Nia Doherty about the council’s budget and what young people thought about it
2. Actions to take forward
   1. Young people expressed their concern about how long the discussion in point 1 took. They stated that they were told it would be half an hour, but it went on for over an hour.
   2. YEPS workers explained that RCT had asked to come in and speak to the group
   3. Young people were concerned that other young people left straight after point 1. They felt that they were not ready for as a group to have visitors yet because it is only their second meeting.
   4. Young people decided that they would create an email address for the group themselves so people/organisations can ask them directly if they want to come and talk to the group and then the young people can make the decision.
   5. Young people decided they would also email the YEPS team manager to inform her of their decision.
   6. Talked about County Youth Forum
   7. YEPS workers to message everyone because most had left and the young people wanted everyone to have the opportunity to attend
   8. Project ideas that the group had planned to discuss, will now be discussed in the December meeting.

Date of next meeting – 1st December 2025, 5pm-7pm

Group’s email address: (cynonyouthforum@gmail.com);

Previous projects the forum have worked on:

The Cynon Youth Forum won the award for Outstanding Active Participation at the 2023 YEPS Celebration Event. Watch the video below:

Other projects: