Author: Rhys Gregory

Improving support for survivors of human trafficking and slavery will be the focus of a new project at Aberystwyth University. ‘Reporting Experiences of Survivors to Analyse in Real Time’ (RESTART) will use an app to gather information from survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery in the UK on their experiences of the support services that they receive, and collect their opinions on what could be done better to help them. Migration law and human trafficking expert Professor Ryszard Piotrowicz, from the Department of Law and Criminology at Aberystwyth University, will be responsible for developing guidelines to ensure that all legal…

Site investigation works are underway at Kilvey Hill as plans for a major new outdoor leisure destination gather pace. The works are another step forward for a development led by New Zealand-based Skyline Enterprises that’s proposed to include a cable car and chair lift system, luge runs, a sky swing, walking trails, a zipline, and food and drink offerings. The proposed cable car system would run to the top of Kilvey Hill from the area of the Hafod Morfa Copperworks, so some spaces at the Landore park and ride facility will be closed-off while site investigation works also take place…

The £2m Neath Port Talbot Hardship Relief Scheme aimed at supporting local residents most in need of help during the cost of living crisis is now open. The scheme has been set up with council funds and will be delivered in partnership with Neath Port Talbot based Community Interest Company Warm Wales. As well as offering help with paying energy bills, the scheme will help residents ensure their homes are heated more efficiently. The measures include: Boiler services, repairs and heating system maintenance and  improvement work Home repairs such as fixing broken window catches or window/door frames. White goods e.g.…

Between June and September of this year, Caerphilly County Borough Council has approved grants totalling £27,748 for voluntary groups. A wide of community groups benefitted from £5,330 of funding through the General Criteria of the Voluntary Sector budget, including grants to Tredomen Allotment Association, Valley Daffodils, Llanbradach OAP Welfare Committee, Rhymney Valley Music Club and Fleur-de-Lys History Society. Several individuals also received financial assistance through the fund to support them in representing Wales at home and abroad. Funding of £22,418 was also approved from the Welsh Church Acts Fund to assist with improvements at Bethel Baptist Church in Penyrheol, Oakdale…

Schools in Powys will not move to a four-day week to reduce running costs, the county council has confirmed. To help support schools with the pressures they face due to increasing energy and inflationary costs, Powys County Council has produced a financial management toolkit which included ideas on how to reduce costs around the school. One of the potential options put forward in extreme cases was a four-day school week with the fifth day moving to online learning. However, this option has now been removed by the council. Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “The result…

Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters will visit the Menai Suspension Bridge today (Wednesday, November 30) where he will unveil a package of support to ease the transport pressures on people travelling to and from Anglesey. The Deputy Minister, who has responsibility for transport, will also meet with representatives from Gwynedd and Anglesey councils to discuss the important maintenance works. The new package put together in partnership with UK Highways A55 Ltd and Anglesey and Gwynedd County Councils, includes an extensive range of measures, including free parking, traffic flow solutions, access to active travel routes and additional bus stops…

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, has today announced several changes to support and encourage more people to join the teaching profession. To help support eligible postgraduate student teachers during the cost-of-living crisis a new payment structure will see eligible student teachers being paid a larger amount after their first term rather than at the end of their induction period. It’s hoped that the new payment structure will support eligible learners with funds when they need it most during the start of their course. Helping to buy supplies for their training and helping with the cost-of-living. It…

Talented young chefs representing Wales have begun their bid for Culinary World Cup success in Luxembourg with a bronze medal. The Junior Culinary Team Wales, comprising young chefs from across the country, are competing against 15 other teams from around the world at the high profile culinary event. The opened their campaign yesterday (Sunday) with the first element of the competition,  the ‘Table of Fire’ which saw them prepare four different kinds of cold and hot finger food, a cold, festive fish or seafood platter, hot main courses and dessert for 12 people. They complete their competition in the Restaurant…

A full-time carer from Cardiff has won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the prestigious Advancing Healthcare Awards (AHA) Cymru. Alex Pawson was recognised at the annual awards which celebrate the work of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and Healthcare Scientists across Wales and took place in Sophia Gardens earlier this month. Alex was nominated in the category for an AHP or healthcare science apprentice, support worker, assistant or associate for his work at Ludlow Street Healthcare. Specifically, his time at Conway House community home and Pinetree Court Hospital services where he helped provide person-centred care for service users with learning disabilities,…

Talented chefs are being challenged to put their skills to the test in the two most prestigious competitions in Wales. The Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) has launched the National and Junior Chef of Wales competitions which again have some fabulous prizes on offer. To enter, chefs must work at an establishment or study at a college for a catering qualification within Wales or be of Welsh descent and working in another country. Entries are now open for both competitions which will be held at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) from February 21-23, 2023, at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s campus in…