Author: Rhys Gregory

When she started volunteering at the BHF Cymru shop in Aberdare 12 years ago, Deb Brookman had no idea she’d end up needing treatment for a heart condition herself. Every Wednesday afternoon Deb, 47, gives up her time to help at the shop where her mum Sheila Watkins had worked as an assistant manager until she retired, and where she now continues as a volunteer two mornings a week. Deb helped on the shop floor, displaying donated items, and supporting customers keen to find a bargain, and now specialises in uploading prime donations on to that charity’s eBay page, taking…

Around 1.1 million claimant families receiving tax credits will get their first Cost of Living Payment from Friday 2 September 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed. This £326 government payment will be paid automatically into eligible tax credit-only customers’ bank accounts between 2 and 7 September 2022. The first HMRC payments will total around £360 million. Nadhim Zahawi, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “I know people are really concerned by rising prices so I’m glad that over a million more low earners will shortly receive their first Cost of Living Payment. We are also preparing options for further…

THE Government needs to spend £100 billion to freeze household energy prices for a year, according to an industry expert. Derek Lickorish, chairman of retailer Utilita Energy, told GB News: “Back in the banking crisis, Gordon Brown found £500 billion pounds to stop the banks falling apart and I’m advocating that we’re looking at about £100 billion to freeze prices for one year. “At the moment, we don’t know what Liz Truss is bringing to the party and we don’t know whether it’s going to meet the size of the gap. “While we have a price cap , when we…

Research shows that employee burnout has steadily risen by 17% since 2020. People no longer want the archaic working model, and they’re actively looking for roles where workplace wellbeing is prioritised and more flexibility exists because they’re putting their mental health first. Research from Deloitte has revealed the cost of poor mental health to UK employers has increased to a staggering £56 billion. A significant part of the business cost is due to reduced productivity caused by employees who are unwell but still come to work, known as presenteeism. Burnout goes way beyond a buzzword. It is impacting businesses on…

A group of young people have been given a glimpse of the future of education in Cardiff – and a chance to put their own stamp on how it could look. The Cardiff Young Influencers are an 18-strong group of 13- and 14-year-olds who volunteered to take part in a five-day School Organisation Planning summer school at County Hall. The programme is designed to give young people a platform and the ability to give their opinions on key decisions on school organisation and investment strategy and how the authority will invest millions of pounds in Cardiff schools over the next…

More than 130 people have gained employment thanks to a Pop-Up Employment Hub that opened in the city centre earlier this year. They are among more than 400 who have been supported since Swansea Working took on the previously empty unit opposite HMV in the Quadrant Shopping Centre 12 weeks ago. Many new and established businesses and organisations have also befitted from employment days held there. These include the new Ninja Warrior Adventure Park in Parc Tawe which recruited more than 50 young local people as it opened at the start of the summer. Swansea Working is an employability service…

More children than ever have taken part in this summer’s Food and Fun school holiday scheme in Neath Port Talbot. Food and Fun, which is run each year by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Youth Service, gives children the chance to take part in various fun and physical activities, learn about food and nutrition, as well receiving a healthy breakfast and lunch. St Joseph’s Catholic School and Cefn Saeson Comprehensive joined the scheme this year to bring the total to seven schools, delivering the scheme to more than 350 children. To help deliver the activities that run throughout the programme, the…

Neath Port Talbot Council is strongly backing the Welsh Local Government Association’s call for the UK Government to take action on the rapidly worsening cost of living crisis. Neath Port Talbot Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Alun Llewelyn, said: “Councils like ours are doing everything they can to support their communities as they face spiralling energy bills and other living costs. “Action by the UK Government is required now to mitigate the impact of unprecedented price increases for energy, local services, local businesses, and our local communities.” Cllr Simon Knoyle, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social…

The stunning Aberfan memorial created by renowned local artist Nathan Wyburn will become a permanent feature at A Welsh Coal Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park, it has been confirmed. The sculpture was created by Nathan as part of the Sky TV’s Landmark programme, in which artists were tasked with creating a piece that reflected their nation. Nathan created “21.10.1966 144 9.13am”, named in reference to the date and time of the Aberfan disaster, and the number of people who were killed when a colliery tip collapsed on the village on that awful day. The piece was created using concrete…

Work to increase the capacity and improve biodiversity at Clydach Vale Lake will start in late August/early September. Improvements will involve dredging areas of the lake to reduce silt levels and work to stabilise the embankments. Cwm Clydach Country Park Partnership and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will be undertaking the improvements as part of our commitment to provide a diverse and enhanced environment for the community. Although this is a busy time for visitors to the lake, restrictions from nesting waterfowl and migratory fish downstream dictate when work can start. There will be some disruption during this time, including the…