From the Welsh Valleys to the Swiss Alps: How a Taith mobility broadened horizons for young people from Blaenau Gwent
In August 2026, 18 young people from Blaenau Gwent Youth Service travelled to Interlaken, Switzerland on a Taith-funded youth exchange. For many, it was their first time travelling abroad, using a passport or even experiencing life beyond their local community. Through outdoor adventures, cultural exchange and new friendships, the visit helped young people build confidence, develop resilience and discover new aspirations for the future.
The team at Blaenau Gwent Youth Service told us how the experience helped young people broaden their horizons and think beyond their local area.
What was the aim of your Taith mobility?
The aim of the trip was to give young people an opportunity they may not otherwise have had – to travel to a different country, experience a new culture and lifestyle, and develop their independence.
Alongside this, we hoped the experience would help young people build new friendships, improve their confidence and resilience, and create new aspirations for the future, whether that’s travelling more, exploring new opportunities or helping others do the same.
What did the young people do in Switzerland?
During their time in Interlaken, the group explored local towns and historic sites, took a boat trip on the Swiss lakes, visited the Harder Kulm viewpoint, explored caves and completed the challenging Niederhorn mountain hike.
One of the highlights was a youth exchange with Cevi, a local youth organisation focused on outdoor learning, leadership and community involvement. Together, Welsh and Swiss young people spent time hiking in the Alps, sharing experiences and learning about each other’s cultures, communities and daily lives.
A particularly inspiring aspect of the visit was learning about Cevi’s progression pathways. Our young people saw how former members had gone on to become volunteers, youth leaders and, in some cases, paid youth workers, demonstrating the long-term impact of youth work and community involvement.
What did the young people learn from their Swiss peers?
The exchange gave our young people the chance to learn about life in Switzerland while discovering that, despite living in different countries, they share many of the same interests, ambitions and challenges.
A real highlight was experiencing the Swiss approach to outdoor education. Spending time in the Alps showed how nature can play a major role in youth work and personal development, helping to build confidence, independence and teamwork.
The young people also embraced opportunities to learn new words and phrases, navigate language differences and communicate in different ways. It was great to see friendships develop despite language barriers, proving that shared experiences can bring people together no matter where they are from.
The exchange also gave the Swiss young people an opportunity to learn more about Wales, Blaenau Gwent and the experiences of young people growing up in our communities. Our young people were proud to share their culture, identity and local area, talking about life in the South Wales Valleys and what makes Wales unique.
Were there any standout moments during the exchange?
One moment that really stands out was our evening with the young people from Cevi. We spent hours together, surrounded by the Swiss Alps, sharing a BBQ, listening to music and chatting about everything from school and careers to hobbies, travel and daily life. Sharing food created a relaxed atmosphere where friendships quickly developed. As the evening went on, there was singing, music and young people picking up instruments and joining in together.
We had planned to leave much earlier, but the group stayed together far longer than expected because nobody wanted the evening to end. For many of our young people, this became one of the standout moments of the exchange. It showed how quickly meaningful connections can be built when young people are given the opportunity to spend quality time together, share experiences and learn about each other’s lives. The fact that the group chose to stay long after the planned finish time probably says more than anything else about the friendships and memories that were created that evening.
What impact did the exchange have?
The experience exceeded expectations and had a lasting impact on the young people who took part.
Many spoke about gaining confidence by stepping outside their comfort zones, whether that was travelling abroad for the first time, meeting new people or completing the challenging mountain hike. Of the 18 young people, all 18 said they would take part in another youth exchange, while 13 reported feeling more confident taking on new challenges. Nine young people specifically mentioned plans to travel more, including returning to Switzerland, exploring Europe and experiencing different cultures.
Whilst the exchange positively impacted the whole group, several young people’s experiences particularly demonstrate its value. One young person travelled abroad and used a passport for the first time, building confidence and independence. Another young person who is a young carer, was able to focus on their own personal development, taking part in opportunities that they would never be able to access at home. Two young people with health conditions that can create barriers to participation also fully engaged in the exchange and achieved things they did not think possible beforehand.
The exchange also helped several young people discover new opportunities and aspirations. One young person, who was responsible for capturing photos, videos and interviews throughout the trip, developed a strong interest in media and digital content creation and is keen to support future Youth Service projects.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with the young people describing the experience as:
A great experience that I will remember forever.
A once in a lifetime experience with unforgettable memories.
The most beautiful experience I’ve ever had.
One young person summed up the longer-term impact best:
It’s encouraged me to push myself, get outdoors and do more things.
For us, the exchange demonstrated the transformative power of international learning experiences and the lasting impact they can have on young people’s confidence, aspirations and sense of possibility.
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