Support ‘Teacher Support Cymru’

Early Learning HQ is based in the wonderful city of Swansea so we take a particular interest in all things relating to teaching in Wales. I thought I’d use the blog to draw attention to a story I read this week about a threat to an organisation that provides independent support for teachers in Wales. Teacher Support Cymru provides teachers working on Wales with free, confidential support via a 24-hour telephone helpline and website.

The organisation makes use of trained counsellors with expertise in education. They also offer access to specialist financial advisers, for those experiencing financial difficulties. Despite the fact that last year the number of teachers accessing their services rose by 260% the Welsh Assembly government has withdrawn it’s £80,000 funding.

The service costs approximately £120,000 a year to run, £40,000 of which is provided by teaching unions in Wales. They are appealing  for donations from teachers to make up the shortfall. It seems like a really great organisation offering a very valuable service to teachers across Wales (regardless of which union they belong to). Hopefully, enough teachers will recognise the value of what they are doing and make a small contribution to help keep the service going. Peter