Author: Rhys Gregory

On Saturday, 2nd December, young people and families who have experienced grief came together at Caldicot Castle for a Remembering Event. The annual event has been organised since 2016 and is a time for Monmouthshire County Council to show support to children and families at a time that can be very difficult. Throughout the day, young people and their families had an opportunity to connect with their emotions and feelings of bereavement/loss/grief safely through carefully planned creative activities and sharing memories of their loved ones at a time that can be challenging as grief is as individual as the individual.…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is currently developing a new Private Sector Housing Renewal and Disabled Adaptations Policy and is seeking the views of residents and stakeholders. The new policy will set out the Council’s priorities for private sector housing and include plans to deliver financial assistance products to help private owners (including private sector landlords) and contract holders (formerly known as tenants) to repair, maintain or adapt their homes. It also provides information on the Council’s approach to improving the energy efficiency of homes. A consultation period will be held between 14th December 2023 and 7th February 2024 for people…

Deciding when to end therapy can be a difficult and confusing decision. There are many factors to consider, such as progress made, goals achieved, and the overall therapeutic relationship. However, certain signs may indicate it’s time to conclude therapy. Recognizing these signs is crucial to ensure the best possible outcome for your mental health. In this blog, we will explore 5 signs indicating it may be time to end therapy from the perspective of a London therapy clinic and provide guidance on navigating this decision. Whether you are currently attending therapy or considering starting, this information will be invaluable in…

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Councils across Wales will receive an increase in their funding next year. Core revenue funding for local government will increase by 3.1% on a like-for-like basis, compared to the current year. No local authority will receive less than a 2% increase. Schools, social services and social care, refuse and recycling collections and other key services provided by local authorities will be backed with £5.7 billion in Welsh Government Revenue Support Grant and non-domestic rates. This settlement reflects the government’s commitment to protect the services we all rely on every day, meaning there have been some difficult decisions to radically redesign…

A new innovative procurement service launched by Cardiff Council, Ardal, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Gemma Ellis as Senior Category Manager, who will oversee its collaborative procurement partnership with Monmouthshire County Council, Torfaen County Borough Council, and the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Ardal was formed to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving procurement landscape and to provide solutions in line with Welsh Government legislation, including the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023. Gemma will oversee all category teams, approximately 25-30 people, including those engaged on…

A local developer has donated a grand to a youth football team in Cardiff as part of its Community Champions scheme. Persimmon Homes East Wales, the company behind the St Edeyrns development in the north-east of the city, presented Pentwyn Dynamos Under 12s with its cheque at its training site. It has used the funds to purchase new kits for the players, which Persimmon has sponsored. Pentwyn Dynamos’ U12s has been run by volunteers Natalie Souli – the team manager – and coaches Dean James and Justin Jones since 2019. They have a large squad of players from the Pentwyn…

A specialist centre for people receiving cancer treatment in Swansea has moved to a new home. The Chemotherapy Day Unit, or CDU, at Singleton Hospital has been relocated to a former cardiology ward within the main hospital building. Not only does this provide the potential to expand the service in future it means improved safety for patients, and many more benefits besides. But while the CDU has its new home, it’s lacking a homely feel – so plans are being drawn up to make it look and feel warmer and more welcoming. CDU manager Sue Rowland said: “One of the…

RSPCA Cymru has launched an appeal for information after a Yorkshire Terrier – with a matted coat – was found in Cwmavon. The dog – who has been named Ralph – was found on Saturday 16 December at Brunel Industrial Estate, Cwmavon by a concerned member of the public. He was taken to RSPCA Llys Nini Animal Centre in Penllergaer – where RSPCA animal rescue officer Rohan Barker then took him to a veterinary practice for treatment. Unfortunately a microchip wouldn’t scan and an appeal for information has now been launched to trace his owner. RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben, who…

An overweight butcher who survived two “near death” scares has opened a new shop and won a major award after taking part in a life-changing TV show. Matthew Rees, 46, from Carmarthen, was one of the stars of the FFIT Cymru series on S4C,  which he described as a “gamechanger”. He left his job as an accountant to run the family’s butcher’s shop in Carmarthen market but piled on the weight in the last six years after two serious illnesses. After suffering sepsis four years ago, he had a clot on his lung in 2020 following a  Covid-19 infection and…