Cardiff Black Youth Network (CBYN)

The Cardiff Black Youth Network (CBYN) is a peer led organisation, ‘for’ young BME people, ‘by’ young BME people living in Cardiff. It is a regional branch of the National Black Youth Forum, which was formed as a response to the McPherson report, in which it was noted, that the feelings and views of BME young people had not been considered.

CBYN is an organisation that works on a local and national level to implement positive change for BME youths aged between 13 – 25 years in order to eliminate racism. It seeks to challenge all forms of discrimination that are rooted in Racism and Xenophobia. Through its activities it aims to implement change socially, politically and economically through effective and meaningful consultation, training, research and information dissemination.

The Cardiff Black Youth Network has been established for BME young people in Cardiff to:

  • Provide a platform for BME young people to voice their opinions and concerns.
  • Facilitate dialogue between BME young people and policy and decision makers.
  • Promote participation of BME young people within mainstream activities and increase their contributions to consultation processes.
  • More dialogue between young people and the service providers needed.
  • Signpost training and development opportunities for BME young people to engage and participate in mainstream society.
  • Organise activities and events that reflect the needs of BME young people.

As part of its work CYBN, through a peer led steering group, organised and carried out a peer led research project targeting 200 - 250 Black and Ethnic Minority young people across Cardiff. To facilitate the wider participation of BME young people, the project created an opportunity to employ 12 young facilitators, which were from African, Afro-Caribbean, Somali, Asian and Arab backgrounds . The facilitators targeted the following eight areas across Cardiff:

  • Ely
  • St. Mellons
  • Grangetown
  • Butetown
  • Riverside
  • City Centre
  • Roath
  • Canton

This piece of research was done over a period of 3 months and the 3 themed areas for focus within the research are BME young people's views towards:

  • Community
  • Consultation / Participation
  • Rights and Responsibilities

A Launch Event presenting the report on the analysis and findings will take place during the summer period. If you would like to receive any further information on this project or any of the work by CYBN, please contact Nathan Evans at BVSNW on 029 20440182 or by email: n.evans@bvsnw.org.uk