{"id":88684,"date":"2025-03-13T15:52:51","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T15:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/?p=88684"},"modified":"2025-09-09T11:13:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T10:13:45","slug":"we-do-belong-how-one-mentorship-scheme-is-diversifying-welsh-public-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/politics-social-justice\/we-do-belong-how-one-mentorship-scheme-is-diversifying-welsh-public-life","title":{"rendered":"The award-winning scheme breaking down barriers into Welsh public life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>The Equal Power Equal Voice mentorship programme is making democracy in Wales more diverse. With new funding just announced, how does it work and who can take part?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/bbc-visit-resize-1280x720-1-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Equal Power Equal Voice 2023 cohort visit BBC Cymru Wales in Cardiff. <a href=\"https:\/\/epev.cymru\/2023\/07\/epev-2023-34-is-open\/\">Picture<\/a> by Nick Treharne.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2021, Beth had a stroke of luck when she saw a post by the Women\u2019s Equality Network (WEN) Wales on social media. As a Welsh woman passionate about gender equality, she was the ideal candidate for the advertised scheme now accepting applications. Better still, the timing was perfect. Beth was considering running in her local election, and this was an opportunity to build campaign skills and expand her political networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I never thought I\u2019d run as a local councillor, but that programme gave me the confidence to [feel] I can actually do this,\u201d she says. \u201cIt helped me to network with like-minded people who really uplift each other and show you that you can do it and you do belong here\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beth applied to the Equal Power Equal Voice (EPEV) mentorship programme that WEN Wales was advertising, joining the 2021-2022 cohort. The initiative, which has just secured another three years of funding from the Welsh government, aims to make public and political life more representative of Wales\u2019s diverse communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-1400x788.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry-1400x788.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Selfie_Beth_Fry.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Beth says the programme helped her develop the confidence and skills needed for public speaking and professional networking.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It works by supporting individuals from underrepresented groups to build the skills and confidence needed for leadership and public-facing roles. Beth\u2019s cohort peers were a mix of women, disabled people, Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) people and LGBTQ+ people, each with professional ambitions in the public or political spheres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For organisers, the programme vision is to see more diverse representation across all public and political decision-making positions in Wales. As well as elected roles in local government and the UK or Welsh parliaments, this includes public boards, health boards, arts and cultural settings, and as community leaders or activists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By financing initiatives like Equal Power Equal Voice, the Welsh government is making progress on a commitment to increase diversity across all aspects of public life. In 2024 it issued guidance on diversity and inclusion for registered political parties which stated an ambition to \u201csee all the faces of Wales, and to hear all the voices of Wales, reflected in the democratic institutions that make the decisions that ultimately define how we live our lives\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic.png 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic-120x300.png 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic-770x1925.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic-614x1536.png 614w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic-293x733.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic.png 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic-120x300.png 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic-770x1925.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic-614x1536.png 614w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/Data-Infographic-293x733.png 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Demographic data suggests a long road ahead before this inclusive vision can be delivered. Forty-three per cent of the Senedd are women, but only one woman of colour has ever been elected in over 20 years of devolution. Gender representation also falls rapidly at the level of local governance, where women make up only 9% of council leaders. For other underrepresented groups in governance, such as ethnic minorities, disabled people and LGBTQ+ people, little to no public data exists making it hard to monitor trends over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2024 appointment of Eluned Morgan MS as the Senedd\u2019s first female First Minister was a milestone for women&#8217;s political representation in Wales. But Morgan also led the government&#8217;s withdrawal on plans to ensure at least 50% of candidates are women at future Welsh Parliament elections. Sioned Williams of Plaid Cymru criticised Morgan for &#8220;celebrating the fact rightly that she is Wales&#8217; first female in that role&#8221; while &#8220;binning the very bill that to ensure women have an equal voice in this Senedd&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Equal Power Equal Voice programme exists to tackle this systemic lack of diversity by helping participants overcome some of the hidden barriers to these roles and sectors. This scheme involves training and peer-to-peer support as well as one-to-one mentoring with prominent or influential Welsh people who are leaders in their sectors. Upon joining, each mentee is assigned to one of the four participating advocacy organisations, depending on personal goals and background. Alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/epev.wpenginepowered.com\/about\/partners\/wen-wales\/\">WEN Wales<\/a> are <a href=\"https:\/\/epev.wpenginepowered.com\/about\/partners\/disability-wales-2\/\">Disability Wales<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/epev.wpenginepowered.com\/about\/partners\/eyst\/\">Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/epev.wpenginepowered.com\/about\/partners\/stonewall-cymru\/\">Stonewall Cymru<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90965\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90965\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/09\/Jane_Hutt_quote-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Senedd members hope the Equal Power Equal Voice will boost diversity in Welsh politics.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When Beth joined the programme in 2021, she was assigned to WEN Wales to pursue her interest in women\u2019s rights. Along with another cohort member, she used the skills and knowledge developed through the programme to stand in her local election as one of the first-ever Welsh candidates for the Women\u2019s Equality Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She says, &#8220;I never would have done half the stuff I\u2019ve done. Now, if I ever want to campaign for something, I know different people who are passionate about different things, and I can go and speak to them about it.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beth&#8217;s experience lends support to the Welsh government\u2019s hope that this round of funding can help bring more people into public spaces and ultimately strengthen democratic representation in the parliament elections next year and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Commenting on International Women\u2019s Day (8 March), Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt said, \u201cProgrammes like Equal Power Equal Voice are vital for building a more representative Wales. When young girls see women in leadership positions, they can envision those possibilities for themselves. This is how we build a future where Welsh public life truly reflects the diversity of our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Beth works in communications for a charity that supports victims of domestic abuse. Looking back on her EPEV experience, she says her highlights include the opportunity to develop self-confidence, build professional networks and get to grips with political and governance processes in Wales and the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She says, \u201cEqual Power Equal Voice really helped us to get that knowledge of how the Welsh government works and the UK parliament works and all the nitty gritty bits in between. It&#8217;s dedicated to assisting people with self-development and equips you with the knowledge and the confidence and the information that you need if you want to get into public and political life. I would definitely encourage other people to apply.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Equal Power Equal Voice programme is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 cohort. More information can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/epev.cymru\/about\/\">programme website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The government has announced new funding for a trailblazing mentorship programme for women and minority groups.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1232,"featured_media":88705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[120,197,277,1267],"coauthors":[1312],"class_list":["post-88684","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics-social-justice","tag-charities","tag-equality","tag-human-rights","tag-politics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The award-winning scheme breaking down barriers into Welsh public life - 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