Canllaw Online Background:

Sir Francis Bacon is quoted as having said “knowledge is power” and the path to knowledge lies in information. Canllaw Online’s objective is to deliver better information to the young individuals in and across Wales, leading to better life choices.

Canllaw Online Cyf is a not for profit organisation and a registered charity established to develop and support information services for young people, offering a number of bilingual services linked to information distribution through a series of unique initiatives, to both young people and information providers for young people.

Although the company Canllaw Online Cyf. was established in 1999, there is a lengthier history behind the “Canllaw Online” name. The project started as a result of a study visit to Scotland in 1983, where the “Young Scot” initiative was about to be launched.

The importance of an information delivery service aimed specifically at young people was recognised and a similar project in Wales was developed using money that became available through International Youth Year from the Welsh Office.

The Canllaw Online initiative was set up, engaging young people, youth workers and an editor. A series of three handbooks in Welsh and English were published, providing information to young people. The initiative was based on Youth Work principles.

Later, by the early 1990s, the National Youth Bureau in England had initiated an “Information Shop” scheme, having researched what information services for young people were available in other countries, decided that there was a need for a national strategy for information delivery across Britain.

The intention behind the Information Shop initiative was to offer young people the opportunity to access information and advice in user-friendly environments, with trained staff, to ensure that there was no stigma attached to any enquires that young people may have. Pilot funded schemes were set up in Bradford, Nottingham and Accrington. In 1993 a HMI inspection recognised the work of the initiative.

In 1993, the compilation of a databank of information to be used by the Information Shops began, leading to a computerised system by the late 1990s. The National Youth Agency, with National Lottery funding, was able to develop a system of core information available via floppy disks to html.

In Wales, the Wales Youth Agency supported the work of the National Youth Agency and pioneered information services for young people. Towards the end of the 1990s, it was recognised that an independent organisation was needed.

In September 1999, Canllaw Online Cyf was established as a not for profit organisation, with the aspiration of developing and supporting comprehensive information services for young people in Wales.

Canllaw Online Core Values and Principles:
Canllaw Online aims to bring better life choices to young people throughout Wales through access to quality information services. This is being achieved through improved information delivery services to encourage inter-cultural awareness and development, youth mobility, participation, expression and equality.

These core values and principles are reflected in and underpinned by the Youth Work Curriculum Statement for Wales (1993), European Youth Information Charter (1993), the European White Paper on Youth (2001) and the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child (adopted in the UK in 1991), which support the right of young people to information.

Canllaw Online is committed to consulting and engaging with young people across Wales at every stage of the information delivery process through regular residential courses, focus group sessions, surveys and activities.

Canllaw Online is a bilingual organisation, offering information in both Welsh and English. The voluntary Welsh Language Scheme adopted by Canllaw Online has been approved by the Welsh Language Board in accordance with the Welsh Language Act (1993).

With a devolved government, structural fund opportunities, bilingualism and a multi cultural society, Wales is an ideal launch pad for ventures that will deliver to young people the information and experiences that they need to make better life choices, and Canllaw Online is the organisation to bring these plans to life.

Canllaw Online Strategic Aims:

• Policy & Strategic Partnership.
  Canllaw Online aims to work at a policy and strategy level, shaping, supporting and developing information services for young people in Wales at a local, national and international level.
• Communication & Information
  Canllaw Online aims to communicate and inform young people and providers of information services for young people across Wales.
• Research
  Canllaw Online aims to research thoroughly the information needs of young people and providers of information services for young people across Wales.
• Consultancy
  Canllaw Online aims to provide consultancy services for young people and providers of information services for young people across Wales.
• Training
  Canllaw Online aims to provide training services for young people and providers of information services for young people across Wales.
• Quality Standards
  Canllaw Online aims to support and develop quality assurance measures for the provision of information services for young people.
• European & International
  Canllaw Online aims to support the participation and involvement of young people and providers of information services for young people within wider European and international opportunities.
• New Business
  Canllaw Online aims to investigate and secure new opportunities for the provision of information services for young people in Wales.

Partnership Working

Canllaw Online is keen to work with as many expert agencies and individuals as possible to ensure the information it provides is as accurate and as up-to-date as possible. In developing and delivering its services to date, Canllaw Online has established working relationships with expert agencies/bodies within each heading of the Canllaw Online Info Index.

For example: Local Authority Youth Services, The National Assembly for Wales, The Wales Youth Agency, CWVYS, Principal Youth Officers’ Group, Young People’s Partnerships (YPP), The Basic Skills Agency, The Princes Trust, ACAS, ELWA, RSPCA, Lonely Planet, YHA Cymru, Connect, The Royal Gwent Hospital, Cancer Research UK, Meningitis Cymru, Shelter Cymru, Funky Dragon, Community Legal Services, Welsh Consumer Council, Consumer Credit Counselling Services, The Sports Council for Wales and The Arts Council for Wales.

Canllaw Online Achievements & Ambitions:

The new century saw the launch of the National Assembly for Wales, and soon its Policy Unit looked at youth services and services to young people across Wales. The result was the production of the “Extending Entitlement, Supporting Young People in Wales” report. This key policy document provided Canllaw Online with the opportunity to submit a bid to the National Assembly for Wales on issues relating to information services for young people. In January 2001, the National Assembly for Wales confirmed backing for the Canllaw Online “Entitlement” Project.

Targeting all young people of school leaving age, using a combination of state of the art equipment and methodology with traditional platforms, it’s Canllaw Online’s intention to make information accessible to young people in Wales, for with knowledge comes the ability to make an informed decision.

Canllaw Online’s success to date includes delivery of the Canllaw Online “Entitlement” Project between January 2001 and September 2004 on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Canllaw Online continues to develop and is involved in a number of different initiatives including WISE1520, CREDU & Enlightening. For more information on these exciting initiatives, click on the relevant buttons on the www.canllaw-online.com home page.

For quality information specifically for young people, click on www.wise1520.info