Petition March 2009

Petition to Welsh Assembly for free Swimming

Paralympic gold medallists Ellie Simmonds and David Roberts joined a group of youngsters with learning disabilities from Ammanford Junior Gateway to hand over a petition to the National Assembly for Wales’ petitions committee on March 26th 2009.
It is the 150th petition that the committee has received since the system was introduced in May 2007.
It calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to extend free swimming for young people in Wales.
At present free swimming is limited to the school holidays but youngsters from the Ammanford Gateway Group (AGG) say it’s more difficult for them to access pools during the crowded school holidays.
They’re submitting their petition with the help of Mencap Cymru’s Partners in Politics scheme which aims to get more young people with learning disabilities involved in the political process.
And that’s why the group linked up with swimmers from the British Paralympics squad at the National Pool in Swansea today.
“People with learning disabilities often don’t benefit from free swimming in the school holidays because the pools are too crowded,” said 15-year-old Lowri Davies, from Ammanford.
“My brother has a learning disability and would like to have free swimming throughout the year.”

Val Lloyd AM, chair of the National Assembly for Wales’ Petitions Committee, added: “It’s great to see a group like this handing us a petition.
“Not only is this about increasing disabled access and getting more youngsters into the swimming pool, but it’s about increasing participation in democracy.
“The committee has looked at a 150 petitions since 2007. Many of them have already led to positive changes in people’s lives.
“This committee is about showing people that the National Assembly for Wales can deliver real change that people want.”
Mencap Cymru Director Liz Neal said: “It is great to see young people from Ammanford using the petitions system at the National Assembly.
“The whole point of Mencap Cymru’s Partners In politics project is to equip young people with learning disabilities with the skills and confidence to get their voice heard.
“It is also appropriate that this petition is requesting free swimming for young people, since many disabled children and young people continue to be denied opportunities to socialise.”
The petition will now be scrutinised by the Petitions Committee before a future course of action is decided upon.

The popular craft shop Trinkets and Treasurers has branched out and secured a stall at Ammanford’s monthly Chamber of Trade market.
A joint venture between the county council and Ammanford Junior Gateway charity, Trinkets and Treasures is based within the 2ACTIVE8 building, in Wind Street, Ammanford. But now the sought after crafts and cards, made by adults with learning difficulties, are also available at the monthly Thursday markets, held in the Co-op Car Park in Ammanford.
The stall, like the shop, is staffed by local people with learning difficulties, helping them to gain volunteer experience in the retail environment.
For more information contact Erika on 01269 591394