Roedd yn wych gweld y sectorau yn arwain yr ymateb i anghenion y gweithlu ar ddechrau’r pandemig ac yn helpu i baratoi’r canllawiau ar gyfer gwaith ieuenctid yn sgil Covid-19. Gwelwyd rhai enghreifftiau arbennig o waith ieuenctid digidol arloesol sydd wedi cefnogi pobl ifanc a’r gweithlu drwy gydol y pandemig, ac mae hyn wedi tynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd gwaith ieuenctid digidol. Mae’r pandemig, a’r gwaith cryf sydd wedi’i wneud yn ystod y cyfnod anodd hwn, hefyd wedi dangos pwysigrwydd gwaith ieuenctid i sectorau eraill megis tai ac iechyd. Fodd bynnag, rwy’n cydnabod mor aruthrol anodd y mae hi wedi bod i bobl ifanc a’r gweithlu gwaith ieuenctid mewn llawer o achosion. Hoffwn ddiolch i weithwyr ieuenctid ar draws y sectorau statudol a gwirfoddol am eu gwaith caled drwy gydol y pandemig, a thalu teyrnged i’r ffordd y maent wedi addasu ac esblygu er mwyn cefnogi pobl ifanc yn y cyfnod anodd hwn.
It is fantastic to see this sector-led approach taken both in responding to the needs of the workforce at the start of the pandemic and in helping to prepare the COVID-19 Youth Work Guidance. There have been some impressive examples of innovative digital youth work that have supported both young people and the workforce throughout the pandemic and this has highlighted the importance of digital youth work. The pandemic, and the strong work that has taken place during this difficult time has also demonstrated the importance of youth work to other sectors such as housing and health. However, I recognise in many cases the incredible hardship the pandemic has had on young people and the youth work workforce.  I would like to thank youth workers across both the statutory and voluntary sectors for their hard work throughout the pandemic, and pay tribute to how they’ve adapted and evolved to support young people throughout this difficult time.