llwyddo'n lleol hits the road

Young people from all over Gwynedd were given a flavour of what it's really like to work in the county recently as part of a series of Llwyddo'n Lleol roadshows.

The roadshows are part of a drive by Gwynedd Council and its partners to make young people aware of the opportunities available to them in Gwynedd, and the fact that staying in Gwynedd to live and work is an exciting and adventurous choice.

Councillor Dafydd Iwan, who leads on Development on Gwynedd Council said:

'Llwyddo'n Lleol is a flagship project which has already develop a spirit of enterprise and self-confidence amongst the County's children and young people.'

Iwan Trefor Jones, Strategic Director — Development added:

'One avenue we're particularly keen to promote to young people is the option of starting your own business in Gwynedd.

We therefore brought together a range of local entrepreneurs from all walks of life who explained how they went about setting up their own business and what they do from day to day.'

Rhys Davies, Managing Director of Camre Cymru/Outlook Expeditions which has its HQ and residential centre in Deiniolen, took Year 9 pupils on a virtual tour around the world and explained why he chooses to live and work in Snowdonia when his outdoor activities business takes him on expeditions to such far-flung destinations as the Galapagos Islands, Botswana, Borneo and China. 

Laura Jones shared her experiences as a yoga instructor, and Rhys Roberts of Welsh band Anweledig explained how he's turned his own interest in music into a business which helps young people develop their interest in rock and pop music.

Author, S4C presenter and columnist Bethan Gwanas explained to young people how working for yourself doesn't have to mean limiting yourself to one type of work, whilst Alan Moult of Motion Blur showed how he turned an obsession with creating animation into an award-winning company which works with some of the biggest names in the business.

Following these sessions, the young people got the chance to put their own ideas into action by taking part in an interactive workshop with Menter a Busnes.

Councillor Dewi Lewis, Chairman of the Llwyddo'n Lleol Partnership added:

'We wanted to highlight the huge range of options available to young people in terms of starting their own business.  What all of our entrepreneurs have in common is that they have turned a passion into their everyday job — be that outdoor activities, sports, writing or rock music.  Hopefully, they will inspire young people to follow their dreams and most importantly, help them realise that this can be done right on their doorstep.'

Posted: 16 June 2006

For further information:

Rhodri Ellis Owen, Cambrensis
Tel: 029 2025 707
rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com

Gwen Siôn, Cambrensis
Tel: 01286 685 254
gwen@cambrensis.uk.com