Welsh Government
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SNAP Cymru's new Wmff! app brings help closer to young people

A new smartphone app offering guidance, support and information has been launched by Education Minister Leighton Andrews. new smartphone app offering guidance, support and information to young people has been launched by Education Minister Leighton Andrews. 
SNAP Cymru’s bilingual app, Wmff!, aims to encourage young people aged 11-25 to seek support and advice for themselves on a range of issues including bullying, exclusions, getting back into education, finding work and young people’s rights. 
SNAP Cymru works with children and young people with additional learning needs or who are at risk of becoming NEETS (Not in education, employment or training).
The new app will allow young people to send an instant message to a worker from the SNAP helpline, or email or call the helpline directly. They can also listen and watch young people speak about their own experiences or join a secure online forum and talk to other young people about their problems. 
Funded by the European Social Fund’s (ESF) Reach the Heights initiative, Wmff! has been specifically developed by young people for young people. Several young people’s focus groups were involved in the development of the app, and gave constructive feedback about its design and features. 
At the launch yesterday, the Minister met some of the young people involved in the design of the app.
Speaking at the event in Cardiff’s Norwegian Church, the Minister said:
“It’s vital that young people have someone they can talk to when faced with problems such as bullying or exclusions, or when they need further advice on issues such as getting back into education or employment.
“Young people also rightly expect that the technology they use in their daily lives should also be used to access education and support services.
“I can think of no better way of encouraging them to access this support and information than providing it through the ease of a mobile phone app.  
“Wmff! will allow young people to seek advice or access information in a way they are familiar with, in a way they like, and most importantly in a safe environment.  
“I’d like to congratulate SNAP Cymru on the way they have developed and delivered this app. I am sure that Wmff! will make a very positive difference in helping young people to discuss their problems and realise their full potential.”

SNAP Cymru Chief Executive Director, Denise Inger said:
‘We are very pleased that the Minister will meet the young people who have given up their free time. The development of the app is an example of what can be achieved by staff and volunteers working together’.

In December, SNAP Cymru were named as a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award – the only exclusively Welsh organisation to receive the award - in recognition for their role in promoting inclusion and enhancing education for children, young people and families. 

Yesterday, presenting the award to Denise Inger, the Minister said:
“I am delighted that SNAP Cymru’s dedication and commitment to improving the lives of our young people and their families has been justly recognised and awarded.  
 
“The award is testament to all your hard work and I wish you well as you continue to support our most vulnerable young people, their parents and carers.” 
 
Wmff! is available to download on both Apple (via the App Store) and Android devices (via Android App on Google Play).  Information can also be accessed via the Wmff! website.


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