Author: Rhys Gregory

Plans for Morriston, Singleton and Neath Port Talbot hospitals to evolve into individual centres of excellence – designed to give people better access to emergency care, and cut through long waiting lists for operations – have been released. The proposals will give each hospital unique roles, with all three working even more closely with extended community care services. Together, they will form a closely integrated NHS service for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. Swansea Bay University Health Board is about to begin a public engagement programme on major changes to the role and function of the three main hospitals in…

Bodnant Welsh Food has been named Wales Regional Winner of the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards 2021, for transforming its business which is a real asset to the community of north Wales. The family run Welsh farm shop in the Conwy Valley is one of nine regional winners and 30 commended retailers chosen from a shortlist of 153 speciality retailers across the UK. The awards held in partnership with The Grocer and sponsored by Food and Drink Wales and Garofalo, took a different format this year so they could shine a spotlight on the retailers who deserve recognition for…

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden was swept off her feet when she met Help for Heroes veterans on her first day as an Ambassador for the charity, during a visit to Rhydyfelin AFC, in Pontypridd. Fans of the show were ‘cha-cha-charmed’ by her performance in the last series alongside her partner, former Royal Marine – and now TV presenter – JJ Chalmers, who was supported by the Charity after receiving life-changing injuries from an IED blast in 2011, while serving in Afghanistan. The duo exited the competition at the quarter-final stage, but have remained in touch and, having learned…

The Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise, (Welsh ICE) has appointed Lesley Williams to its Board of Directors. Lesley will take on the role of Community Outreach Director and will be responsible for leading all outreach strategy, projects and partnerships. Lesley joined Welsh ICE in 2019 as Community Outreach Manager where she was responsible for the campus’ 5-9 Club™, an after-work programme designed to support people into starting businesses without having to give up the day job. The programme was initially aimed to support communities across the South Wales Valleys, but under Lesley’s guidance, has grown rapidly. In its first two…

Wellbeing packs are being sent to young carers across Ceredigion to support their wellbeing and encourage them to read this summer. Young carers face the difficulty of balancing their caring responsibilities with their everyday life, including their education. These wellbeing packs will give them a boost and recognize their excellent work. A total of 80 packs have been provided in partnership between Ceredigion County Council and the Books Council of Wales. They include a selection of six reading books, a packet of bee-friendly seeds, a reusable water bottle and some delicious Welsh chocolate, as well as a Young Carers Skills…

Fast-growing health tech company Bond Digital Health has appointed a new CEO to take the business to the next level. Ian Smith is an experienced company director who has held CEO and CFO roles in businesses in various sectors, including health technology, medical technology, biotech and finance. He was most recently CEO of Time Finance plc, an AIM-listed company offering business finance solutions to SMEs. Throughout his career Mr Smith, a qualified chartered accountant, has helped businesses commercialise R&D, manage rapid growth, raise development capital, merge, and float on the stock exchange. He takes over as CEO at Cardiff-based Bond…

Careers Wales has launched a new award to recognise commitment to the development of the provision of careers learning and support by post-16 education institutions across the country. The Careers Development Award, which will last for three years, will be presented to institutions who commit to the long-term development of careers education by working closely with Careers Wales, identifying key areas for development and implementing a plan to address these. The initiative has been developed in response to the new curriculum for Wales, which will come into place in September 2022, and includes the delivery of careers and work related…

The bid – led by Gwynedd Council in partnership with Bangor University, Bangor City Council and other partners – encompasses the city itself as well as the designated Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage site and the wider Arfon and Anglesey areas. Culture is a fundamental part of the fabric of Bangor and north-west Wales. It is weaved into our DNA and bid partners want to harness its potential to have a high-impact transformational effect on communities and people. Gwynedd Council Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, said: “I am delighted about the prospects of this bid and that it comes…

COMMUNITY groups near rural railway stations are on track for a funding boost. Conwy Valley and North West Wales Coast Community Rail Partnership and Transport for Wales have united to support organisations building back from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. They have launched a £10,000 scheme offering up to £250 to groups affected by the Coronavirus. Community Rail Officer Karen Williams said: “We have launched this fund in partnership to support organisations directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic. “Applicants will need to demonstrate how the grant will enable them to move forward as a sustainable community operation and…

Dogs Trust Cardiff  is offering families the chance to take part in free classes to help children learn how to stay safe around dogs.     The interactive 90-minute sessions, which will include games, quizzes and role play, will focus on helping children understand how to behave around dogs both at home and when out and about, and how to be kind to their four-legged friends. They will also learn about how dogs communicate with their human friends.     Education Officer, Hayley Rees, says:   “Dogs are wonderful companions but, for us to live happily alongside our canine pals, it’s vital to understand them and know how to behave around…