‘Learning Links International Youth Activities Project
/ Prosiect Gweithgareddau Ieuenctid’

The LLI Directors discussed a range of possible ways that we could support our communities during and after Covid.

The ‘LLI Youth Activities Project / Prosiect Gweithgareddau Ieuenctid’ started after Covid as a way to encourage young people and their parents to mix again and especially in North Wales, to get out and about to events and undertake activities to appreciate Welsh culture and history, as well as explore ways to support one another.

The projects were started by LLI Volunteers reaching out to friends, who might have challenges in their families and organising informal get togethers. The involvement of LLI was to encourage exploring ways ‘to pass on the baton’ of enquiry and understanding to the young generation, and bringing families with different heritage and mixed-race families together.

Marcia Botros started the idea with families in Colwyn Bay, and then Geoff and Gwawr Miller picked up the idea linking with other families around Holyhead.

The LLI Youth Activities projects are currently supported to organise exchange visits in summer 2025 with others in Jamaica through the Welsh Government’s Taith initiative, linking with the ‘Families Together’ project supported by the Pennants Rotary Community Corps in Clarendon, Jamaica.

LLI Volunteers, Gwawr and Geoff Millar took up to LLI Youth Activities Project:

LLI Youth Activities Project – Holyhead

It was a strange time for all during lock-down, following this period it became important to reconnect with other families and having the ability to visit and experience Welsh history/culture, it became more important than ever.  Not taking it for granted, valuing what we have, and inspiring our youths in understanding the links between the shared history of cultures between the Welsh and Jamaicans.  Supporting young people to gain a full understanding and interest in exploring and learning about history. 

We welcome families of all different heritage and race to join us, making it a safe space to learn through enjoyment. These are a few places we have visited: 

South Stack, a wonderful place to walk and watch thousands of breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins.  Information centre based in Elin’s tower in the reserve, with telescopes and very informative RSPB volunteers.  

Plas Newydd house and garden situated on the banks of the Menai Strait.  

Llanberis quarry walk, yr Wyddfa (Snowdonia) Llyn Padarn (Lake) national slate museum, and Penrhyn Castle behind the formidable Victorian architecture and fine interiors, learning about Penrhyn Castle’s foundations were built on a dark history of exploitation, Jamaican sugar fortunes and the transatlantic slave trade. 

When we heard that LLI had been successful with the application to Taith to be able to visit Jamaica, some of our young people were able to join the Building Bridges of Friendship meetings held at ‘Bwyd Da’ Bangor. They found the topics of conversation inspiring, learning from the older generation and enjoying their company and skill set to capture and fuel their interests, this will continue and the preparation for our Jamaica exchange will continue with a planned itinerary that everyone will enjoy, being included in the process. 

It is an honour to be part of this project, and as LLI Volunteers Geoff and I were able to visit Jamaica for a preliminary visit in November to learn, experience and prepare the foundation for our youths’ experience in Jamaica, making it the most fun, valuable and life changing experience for them.

We have a passionate, motivated young group and feel it’s important to inspire the future generations.  LLI Volunteer:  Gwawr Miller