Labour’s Eluned Morgan AM is calling on aspiring women to take part in a mentoring scheme to get more women, and more diverse women, into public and political life. If you are a woman looking to develop or further a career in politics or public life then this could be just the scheme for you!

The scheme, run by the Welsh Government sponsored Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales will run from April 2019 to December 2019.

Taking part will enable women to develop their political skills and increase the impact and influence they can have on political and public life through mentoring from one of a number of highly influential women along with bespoke training and peer group support.

Mentor’s include women from across political parties and with a vast range of experience within public life including:

Members of Parliament including Madeleine Moon & Tonia Antoniazzi, and Baroness Anita Gale from the House of Lords.

Assembly Members such as Jayne Bryant and Eluned Morgan.

Civil servants such as Sally Holland, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales; Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and Welsh Government Permanent Secretary Shan Morgan.

Senior Leaders from the third sector including Uzo Iwobi Race Council Cymru CEO, Maria Constanza Mesa director of Women Connect First and Frances Beecher chief executive of Llamau.

The scheme includes time spent in the Welsh Assembly, learning about how the Assembly and political parties work and how to get selected as a candidate; visit to the Houses of Parliament, meeting with MPs and members of the House of Lords; a tour of Parliament, and time to observe activities within the Commons Chamber; hearing about how to be a trustee and be more active in public life. A series of networking and other events will aim to train and further develop the core skills required to be effective in public or political life.

Reflecting on her experience of mentoring last year, Eluned said: “I found the process to be hugely rewarding. The WEN is offering a unique and insightful experience that provides women the opportunity to see first-hand what it is like to work in and be a part of public life.

“Last year, I worked closely with WEN to organise a rally in Cardiff Bay and to highlight the issues that act as barriers to women becoming involved in politics and positions of influence. I would encourage women from Powys to step forward and consider making an application before February 24.”