A Pembrokeshire Youth Hostel is celebrating a summer of cultural and social diversity by welcoming a wide range of youth and community groups from around the world. YHA Manorbier hosted a seven-day visit by International Student Youth, a group which includes young people from some of the world's most troubled countries, including Zimbabwe and the Palestinian territories, just last week. And among the other groups staying at the Youth Hostel this summer are a Sikh community network which promotes citizenship and develops confidence among young British Sikhs, a charity working with children living in care and a St John's Ambulance group which organises holidays for people with both physical and mental disabilities. Most of these groups have been able to stay at the Youth Hostel thanks to funding from YHA's 'Give Us A Break Scheme', set-up in 1989 to enable young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to enjoy a residential break in Wales and England. GUAB helps their schools and youth and community groups to meet the cost of their accommodation. YHA Manorbier manager, Matt Roberts, said: "We're delighted to be able to welcome such a diverse range of groups whose work with young people is so very important. "It is very much what YHA is all about. Youth Hostels were established primarily to help young people to discover not just new places, but new experiences, skills and self-esteem through travel, as well as to meet new people. "We're also delighted that the 'Give Us A Break' scheme, which is funded by YHA members, has enabled some of these groups to come and stay here. "That funding can make a real difference to young people's lives - experiencing an environment which is very different to the areas in which they live and taking part in activities which can bring out talents they never knew they had."
