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City Region Exchange

Llais y Maes

In 2016 Llais y Maes gave young people not in education, employment or training the opportunity to report on the National Eisteddfod, direct from the maes.

Student reporters on the maes
Student reporters interview the First Minister

Building on the Centre for Community Journalism's past success in delivering hyperlocal news coverage of the Eisteddfod, four learners and two staff members from PeoplePlus Cymru's Merthyr office worked alongside four Cardiff University students.

The eight student journalists received intensive training on:

  • what is news?
  • writing skills and how to craft a news story
  • interview skills
  • filming
    • how to film in sequence
    • editing
    • how to shoot and edit on a phone
  • creating and sharing social media content
  • using Wordpress and content creating / sharing apps
  • teamwork and how to run a busy newsroom
  • how to be a mobile journalist.

Over 8 days, they produced:

  • 29 reports
  • 14 videos
  • 220 snaps on Snapchat
  • 652 Twitter followers
  • 59,100 Twitter impressions.

PeoplePlus Cymru Community Champion, Shelley Bird, noted how Llais y Maes "gave PeoplePlus Cymru learners an exceptional opportunity to gain new skills in a completely unique learning environment".

For the students themselves, the benefits were immediate.

I'm a young mum and didn't think I'd ever get the chance to do something like this. I left education to have my daughter and I want to show her that if you work hard enough you can be anything you want to be. I didn't really believe that until I did this week at the Eisteddfod. ... I'm really excited about what the future may hold for me now.

Katie Kennedy Llais y Maes student journalist

I can't explain how much this opportunity has meant to me. I would never have thought I could do the things that I have done this week. ... The training and experience has been fantastic and has really helped improve my skills and given me lots more confidence.

Geraint Jones Llais y Maes student journalist

Llais y Maes legacy

Work has continued since the Eisteddfod to ensure that Cardiff University leaves a legacy in Abergavenny and its surrounding communities. In partnership with Menter Iaith Mynwy and others, a new digital Welsh language news service, Pobl y Fenni, has been developed, and Community Journalism staff are providing training for any community members who wish to be involved.

For further information contact:

Emma Meese, Centre Manager