Rescue scheme for children`s projects in Wales boosted by grant

Work with vulnerable children in Wales will be safeguarded
following the announcement of a £200,000 grant from the Welsh
assembly.

The announcement coincides with a joint statement from Children
in Wales, the national umbrella organisation for children’s work in
the principality, and the Children’s Society setting out the
contract for a new interim organisation that will carry on advocacy
work with children. The projects were in danger of collapse
following the society’s shock decision to pull out of Wales
altogether last November.

The interim organisation will begin work in August this year
using the new grant, and will operate all of the current services
run by the Children’s Society with the exception of three projects.
A new all-Wales charity currently being formed will take over
services for children in April 2003.

Heath and social care minister Jane Hutt said that an important
milestone had been reached following the Children’s Society
decision to close down projects.