Message from our Patron and President

EYST Patron

President

I am very pleased to send a message of strong support and appreciation to those working with EYST Wales. It is hard to think of work that is more timely just at present: the pandemic crisis has exposed in painfully direct ways the degree to which racial factors put people more at risk in our society, and the global outpouring of support for Black Lives Matter has shown that a new generation is not going to stay silent about these deeply ingrained injustices. Every community and every institution is being summoned to selfexamination and action. As the founder of EYST and having served as a Board Member as well as Chair for many years, I am honoured to have been appointed as the EYST President. I set up EYST because I believe in equality of opportunity and inclusion for all and I wanted to give something back to Wales. Since its inception EYST has gone from strength to strength and I am so grateful for all the hard work the EYST team have put in towards making a positive impact not only on so many individual’s lives but also on both the statutory and voluntary sectors in Wales. I was privileged this year to have received the WCVA Volunteer of the year award. Receiving this award has meant a lot to myself, EYST and the communities that it serves. For me personally it was validation for all the time and effort put into founding, growing, and sustaining EYST, so that it can continue to serve those in need of it. EYST Wales is not only addressing these issues and helping people find a voice to challenge what we take for granted; it is creating the stories of change and hope which we so badly need to hear as we work to build a more truly welcoming and fair society. Diolch o galon i EYST Cymru am waith mor effeithiol a dychmygol, a phob llywyddiant a bendith am y dyfodol!

Dr. Rowan Williams

EYST Patron For EYST, it was recognition of the importance and scope of the work it carries out as well a vital profile raiser to aid its growth. And to those EYST serves it was proof that, despite the many structural and societal barriers that BAME people face, a woman from amongst that demographic was able to overcome them and receive acknowledgement for doing so. I hope EYST can continue to grow and deliver its vital work of tackling inequality as this has been a year like no other; from Windrush Scandal and Black Lives Matter to the global COVID-19 pandemic the need to provide support and a voice has never been greater.

Momena Ali EYST President