Author: Rhys Gregory

A woman from Carmarthen is calling for more workplace support for menstrual health after quitting her dream job due to lack of understanding and support from her employer around her endometriosis condition. This call comes as the CIPD releases its Menstruation and support at work report, which surveyed more than 2,000 women and found that more than two thirds (69%) of women in the UK have a negative experience at work because of their menstruation symptoms. Sophie Richards, 26, was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 21 following a five-year struggle with chronic paid, bloating and irregular cycles before…

This week, the North Wales Ambition Board has given its approval to the full business case for Wrexham University’s Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre (EEOC). The Growth Deal will fund £11.55m of the total project value. A significant milestone, the project will deliver a specialist centre for research and development, business collaboration and skills development in optics, photonics and composites as lightweight alternatives for manufacturing. It will also integrate hydrogen as a substitute fuel source contributing to sustainable practices in industry. A key part of the project is to attract investment to North Wales and create local employment, with between…

Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice is getting ready to launch its second ‘When Your World Stops’ fundraising appeal with its target to raise £350,000 in just 60 hours. The appeal, with Ammanford-born Alfi’s Morris’s story at its heart, will go live at 10am Sunday 26 Nov and will run through to 10pm Tuesday 28 November. All donations made to Tŷ Hafan during that time will be match-funded meaning that one donation will have double the impact. Lynne Phelps, Head of Family Wellbeing and Outreach Services for Tŷ Hafan, says: “We know how much a family’s world changes when a child is diagnosed with a life-shortening condition. “It changes again when they realise they must consider end-of-life care and again when their child dies. “Tŷ Hafan is here to provide endless support to families from the first moment their world changes. “We can’t…

The Tywi Centre, a built heritage conservation skills provider based in the heart of Carmarthenshire, is spearheading a transformative effort to safeguard and enhance Wales’s traditional built heritage with a resolute focus on sustainability. Wales boasts a rich cultural heritage, with approximately one-third of its housing stock comprising traditionally constructed, solid-walled buildings. Recognising the critical need to reduce emissions associated with these historical structures, the Tywi Centre has unveiled its latest visionary programmes seeking to empower craftspeople and communities with the skills and knowledge required to safeguard these treasures while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns. These latest initiatives have been made…

Recognised for their sterling service, the catering team at Bryntirion Comprehensive School stole the award for ‘Catering Team of the Year’ at the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA WALES) awards, held at the Vale Resort last month. Leanne Rees-Sheppard, cook at kitchen two of Bryntirion Comprehensive School, said: “As a team we are very proud to have been nominated for and delighted to have won the ‘Catering Team of the Year’ award. “Having attended school council meetings and listened to the pupils, it was clear that they wanted to see healthier and more sustainable alternatives, such as plant-based…

Tens of thousands of Swansea residents and visitors enjoyed the city centre’s annual Christmas parade. They enjoyed the free council event that featured a vibrant mix of local community groups, dancers, bands, choirs, floats, inflatables, light-up characters, princesses and superheroes. Santa was there too, switching on the city centre’s Christmas lights. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Those who weren’t in the festive mood before the parade, definitely are now! “Many groups and communities took part and I thank them all for their input and hard work. I also thank all the event sponsors for their support for the parade.”…

Contractors working on behalf of Swansea Council are about to start ground condition tests as the project to transform Castle Square moves forward. The work will help better understand what’s beneath the site’s surface, including elements such as services, soil and water conditions. The results will help the council put in place a regeneration scheme that’s been informed by much public consultation. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Our much improved Castle Square Gardens will be a vital element in our ongoing £1bn regeneration programme for Swansea. “Work on site over a small number of days from November 20 will help design and…

Evening road closures will be in place this week to carry out surfacing improvements to the length of Cardiff Street in Aberdare Town Centre – scheduled at night to minimise disruption. The closures will be in place from 7pm to midnight on four evenings – from Monday, November 20, to Thursday, November 23. During the work hours, Cardiff Street will be closed between its junctions with Merchant Street and Victoria Square. An alternative route for motorists is via Tinney’s Roundabout, A4059, A4233, High Street, Canon Street and Victoria Square. Access will be maintained for emergency services and pedestrians – while…

A new project will offer support to people who might be missing out on other schemes that can improve their employability prospects. The SPF (Shared Prosperity Fund) employment and skills scheme will work with individuals to give them the tools they need to help them into sustainable employment, further learning or a new challenge. The scheme is open to those who are unemployed. It is also open to people who are in work, if they meet certain criteria. It is being funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by Newport City Council. Councillor Jane…

Construction expert Willmott Dixon has donated 10 laptops to help tackle loneliness. The contractor is currently working with Caerphilly County Borough Council to help deliver its ambitious house building programme. Risca-based group Community Volunteers Wales will use the laptops as part of a digital initiative it’s delivering to address loneliness and social isolation.  The donation is in addition to 10 laptops donated last year by Willmott Dixon to community projects across the Caerphilly borough. Cllr Shayne Cook, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said “We’re committed to maximising the investment being made through our housing development programme to support our…