Learning Disability Wales is delighted to welcome two new members of staff to our team. Today we hear from Gerraint Jones-Griffiths, Lead Ambassador for our Engage to Change project.
You can read about Sophie Williams, our new Engage to Change communications officer, here.
My name is Gerraint Jones-Griffiths. I am the Lead Ambassador for the Engage to Change project and have been doing this job since March 2018.
My main role has always been talking to employers, job centres, young people, parents and carers, colleges, and universities. I have also attended events and managed exhibition stands to talk to people at that event about the project. I enjoy talking to people so this is the perfect role for me!
When I started the job I was employed by All Wales People First who were a partner in the project but this changed recently. All Wales People First are now working together with the project but as an outside organisation to help with getting feedback on the work that we do.
I am really happy to have returned to Learning Disability Wales, as I was previously the project administrator for Engage to Change, from 2016-2018. I have also chaired the Learning Disability Wales annual conference several times since 2012.
What I have learned from working with my wonderful colleagues is that I was expecting that once I chaired the annual conference that was it. Oh was I wrong! Once they’ve got you they can’t let go of you and that has been my story working with the team!
I am working closely with the project manager Angela Kenvyn and with the project Comms Officer, Sophie Williams.
I am very keen to work on influencing strategy – this means that I want the Engage Change project to leave a legacy on how successful it has been.
I am also hoping to go into schools and colleges to speak about the project; to learn more about what different ambitions young people have in Wales, and how coronavirus has affected their ambitions.
I am involved with Bedwellty Park Bowls Club. I am a player and have been since 2016 – I won the club pairs in my 1st season. I represent the club when I play competition matches for the Monmouthshire County Bowling Association and I represent the club as a team for the Rhymney Sirhowy Valley District Bowling Association.
This year will be first and final chance to attend the under 25 Monmouthshire County Academy. When I say final what I means is I will be too old next year! Mind you, I feel old now 😊 I am also the social media manager for the club – this means I manage the club’s email, website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media pages.
I am also a singing member in my local choir which is Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir. I am in the Baritone section or Top Bass, and again I manage the choir’s Facebook and Twitter pages. I am also a radio presenter for my local radio station BGFM because my love and passion for music is the main thing that keeps me going everyday, -there is never 1 day that goes by where I don’t play any music while I’m working from home.
I’m also a drag queen (not a professional) something I’ve done to keep friends and family entertained during lockdown. I have been hosting regular live events on Facebook, but these are paused as we lockdown has ended.
To find out more about the Engage to Change project please email me at gerraint.jones-griffiths@ldw.org.uk, or phone 029 2068 1160.
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