Coronavirus: Urdd jobs at risk over £14m covid loss

The Urdd National Eisteddfod has already been cancelled this year due to coronavirus

The Welsh youth organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru says 80 jobs and a further 70 casual posts are at risk as it faces a massive drop in income due to coronavirus.

It has told its 320 strong workforce that income is expected to drop by £14m over two years.

It was forced to cancel this year's Urdd National Eisteddfod, one of the largest youth festivals in Europe.

It has also closed residential centres and suspended community activities.

Its chief executive has described the situation as "the most challenging period in its 98-year history".

"Today is a sad day for this unique organisation, which is an integral part of the lives of so many people in Wales," said Sian Lewis.

"The impact of the pandemic has been devastating for every department within the Urdd.

"There is no option but to review costs across the organisation and see how we can continue to offer some services within the safety guidelines, with the primary objective of safeguarding the future of the Urdd."

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The organisation has 55,000 members aged between eight and 25, promoting cultural and sporting activities.

It has four main residential centres in Wales, at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, at Pentre Ifan in Pembrokeshire, and its two best known sites - at Llangrannog in Ceredigion, and at Glan Llyn near Bala in Gwynedd.

Denbighshire was due to host the Urdd eisteddfod in 2020

Its annual eisteddfod, which had been due to be held in Denbighshire in May half term, attracts about 90,000 visitors every year, with 15,000 young people competing in music, song, poetry, drama and dance.

Ms Lewis added: "The situation is concerning and worrying for our workforce and our main concern in the coming weeks will be their wellbeing.

"Discussions are ongoing within each department to see how the cuts will affect staff and the future services of those departments.

"It must be emphasised that the cuts are in no way a reflection of the standard of work or dedication of staff - it is a situation that has arisen entirely due to factors beyond our control, Covid-19."

Most of its staff have been placed on furlough since the lockdown was introduced in March.

The Urdd has 55,000 young members who take part in activities across Wales

Urdd officials said they had received £3.1m in support packages from the Welsh Government to "maintain a framework of core staff to maintain a service base across all our platforms and allow us to continue with and complete our construction projects".

But with residential centres closed and no community or sports activities taking place, revenue has been virtually wiped out.

"No organisation could survive such a situation without making cuts and unfortunately that is what the Urdd is facing," said their chief executive.

Dyfrig Davies, chairman of the Urdd, added: "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news about the Urdd's situation.

"Clearly, preserving the workforce and safeguarding the Urdd has been foremost in our minds for nearly four months now.

"The future is uncertain, but we must plan to ensure the future and longevity of the Urdd and our membership."

The organisation said it will be working over the summer and into the autumn to ensure its services reach members in new ways, as well as "cautiously opening residential centres".