Author: Rhys Gregory

An internal survey to understand the experiences of match officials in Welsh football has revealed that 1 in 4 Referees have experienced physical abuse. The survey conducted by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), which received responses from 282 match officials, detailed that 88% of respondents have also received verbal abuse whilst officiating at some point in their refereeing career, with more than 50 percent of match officials feeling that the behaviour of football participants towards Referees was getting worse. Many match officials in Wales are therefore making the unfortunate decision to not continue refereeing due to the negative behaviour…

Wales’s leading alternative telecoms company – Ogi – has announced new plans to support charities through its award-winning ‘Cefnogi’ programme. The community-focused ‘Cefnogi’ programme (cefnogi, meaning ‘support’ in Welsh) has, to date, offered more than £35,000 to local groups and community projects with staff taking part in well over 2,000 volunteering hours since the programme began in 2022. The business is now extending the scheme to charities, with staff being encouraged to fundraise for their chosen organisations – instead of a single fixed corporately nominated charity. As part of the new Cefnogi: giving programme, staff can apply for support to…

After feeling lost when she left school last September, a 20-year-old apprentice from Carmarthen credits her Early Years Apprenticeship with giving her a purpose and a clear path in life. It comes as Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) statistics show there are almost 40,000 job vacancies in nursery, primary and secondary schools across the UK, with staff demand in Wales expected to rise in line with Welsh Government plans to extends its free childcare policy to include all two-year-olds. Caitlin Morgan, a Nursery Nurse at Willow Daycare, is now supporting the ‘Genius Decision’ campaign and encouraging young people  to consider…

Cardiff’s iconic City Hall is to close temporarily this winter to enable essential infrastructure work to be carried out on the Grade I-listed building and preserve it for future generations. Built of Portland Stone and opened in 1906, the building was the first council headquarters to be known as City Hall – following Cardiff’s elevation to city status in 1905 – and in recent years has been used as a register office and for wedding celebrations and other private functions. Much of the infrastructure in the historic building is now due for an upgrade, and the work over the winter…

Visitors to Oystermouth Castle are set to receive a royal welcome in a special Princes and Princesses Day on Monday 28 August. The event, which is part of the castle’s summer programme, will feature a range of activities for children and families, such as storytelling, crafts, games and a costume competition. Visitors are encouraged to dress up as their favourite royal characters and join in the fun. Oystermouth Castle, which dates to the 12th century, has been conserved in recent years with improved access to the chapel and added visitor facilities. Swansea Council is presenting Princes and Princess Day at…

The final arrangements are being put in place for Neath’s iconic Great September Fair which has been running for more than 700 years – making it one of the oldest chartered fairs in Europe. The historic fair is made up of two main events, the fun fair (at Milland Road Car Park) and the street fair (in the town centre streets). The 2023 Street Fair, which this year will feature approximately 80 stalls, will run from Wednesday, 13th September to Saturday 16th September. The Fun Fair, run as usual by the Showman’s Guild of Great Britain, will be open from…

Residents are advised that there will be increased works activity at the Ynys/Sobell Leisure Centre car park in Aberdare for six days, starting from Saturday, August 26. Transport for Wales and Amey continue works to construct a new platform to serve Aberdare Railway Station, using a site compound at the Ynys car park. The Council has been informed that, to make necessary progress with the works, a large crane will be situated on site and will occupy much of the contractor’s compound. This will result some of the heavy machinery that usually operates within the site compound will need to…

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has launched a new policy to support people waiting for treatment, which will help prevent some of the 6,000 last-minute cancellations of treatment on the NHS in Wales. The 3Ps Waiting Well Policy will ensure that support and information is easily accessible to those who waiting for treatment. The 3Ps are: Promoting healthy behaviours, Preventing deconditioning whilst waiting, and Preparing for treatment and recovery. People waiting for treatment will get one single point of contact at the health board, who will listen to their concerns, advise on healthy behaviours to better manage their symptoms and signpost…

As the Education and Welsh Language Minister announces an increase in the financial hardship support for eligible FE learners, find out about the support you could be entitled to if you are starting A-levels, an apprenticeship, or in employment. Financial Contingency Fund (FCF) The Minister for Education and Welsh Language has announced a 6.5% increase to the Financial Contingency Fund for 2023/24 to help alleviate some of the issues faced by vulnerable learners in the cost-of-living crisis. The FCF provides financial support for eligible learners at FE colleges. It can be used for childcare costs, transport, meals, equipment and learning…

The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan, has praised the impact of the second Young Carers’ Festival in Wales. Building on the success of the inaugural event last year, this year’s festival has attracted even more young carers for three days of activities, fun and relaxation in Builth Wells. It provides young carers with a chance to relax away from their day-to-day duties, meet new friends and enjoy new experiences. Information to help them tackle challenges they may face is also on offer. Held at the Royal Welsh Showground, this year’s event is bringing together 330 young carers aged…