Author: Rhys Gregory

Neath Port Talbot Council is aiming to begin work on a £700,000 drainage project in Ystalyfera in July 2021 which will reduce the flood risk to residents of the Varteg Estate and also benefit the surrounding community. With funding from the Welsh Government, the project will involve works to the Glan Yr Afon Culvert in Ystalyfera, close to the Asda superstore, to stop surface water backing up in Varteg Road during periods of high rainfall. The work will take around 12 weeks to complete with approximately 140 metres of new pipework being installed. Throughout the construction process, the council and…

Visitors to Tip Treasures in Swansea will find their favourite re-use shop has been extended and refurbished to include a swish new clothing section, thanks to funding from the Welsh Government. The popular venue at Llansamlet Recycling Centre has re-opened now that the Covid-19 restrictions are easing. Shoppers will need to wear masks indoors and keep their distance but they’ll find lots of bargains to choose from. Tip Treasures has become one of Swansea Council’s most popular services with all the items on sale having been rescued from ending up in landfill or being recycled. Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for…

Businesses in Wales still affected by coronavirus restrictions will be able to claim up to £25,000 more in support to help meet ongoing costs, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced. This next package of business support comes as the Welsh Government confirmed up to six people from six different households will be able to meet in indoor regulated settings, such as cafes and pubs, when they open from May 17. Since the start of the pandemic, the Welsh Government has provided more than £2bn to tens of thousands of businesses across Wales to help them through the pandemic. This latest…

Access to rapid COVID self-test kits (lateral flow tests) are now available to unpaid carers. People can order a test online Get rapid lateral flow COVID-19 tests if you do not have symptoms or can collect from certain test sites across Wales, with no appointment needed. Lateral flow tests enable regular asymptomatic testing for coronavirus and make it convenient and accessible for people not covered under existing schemes at workplaces, childcare settings, schools, colleges and universities. About 1 in 3 people who test positive for coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still infect others, which means asymptomatic testing is…

As the Coronavirus restrictions continue to relax in Wales, the Welsh Government has announced a proposed list of pilot test events to take place over the forthcoming weeks. The Welsh Government is working with partners on the delivery of pilot test events which will develop processes and guidance that will allow the safe return of events in Wales.  Managing a safe and successful test events programme will hopefully allow larger gatherings back to stadia, theatres and other venues in Wales later this year. Cardiff’s Eid at the Castle celebration and Tafwyl have been confirmed for this week while discussions with…

Could your dog be a lifesaver? Pet Blood Bank UK has announced that they are starting to run lifesaving blood donation days in Gwaelod y Garth, Cardiff, and they need local dogs to come forward. Valley Veterinary Hospital has partnered with the charity and is looking for donor dogs to attend their very first session on Sunday 23 May. This is the first time the charity has visited Wales to run dog blood donation sessions and they are very excited to welcome lots of fantastic new donors to their lifesaving pack. Pet Blood Bank is just like the human blood…

Tesco is encouraging charities and community groups in Wales to apply for funding for local projects that matter to them. The newly-rebranded Tesco Community Grants scheme will award grants to charities and community organisations whose focus is on helping children and families access the food and support they need for a good start in life. Eligible projects will include breakfast or holiday lunch clubs, food banks, youth clubs or schools. From July, three community groups in each locality will be selected to receive votes from the public to decide which project receives the most funding. A total of £2million in…

New analysis from Diabetes UK shows that over 4.1 million adults are currently living with a diabetes diagnosis in the UK, with 203,499 adults in Wales living with the condition, 90 per cent of those with type 2. In addition, the charity’s new figures suggest that a further 850,000 living with type 2 diabetes across the UK and an additional 61,488 people in Wales, who are yet to be diagnosed.  Data from the National Diabetes Audit in 2020 suggests that including those under 17, the figure is even higher with 209,015 people with a type 1 or type 2 diabetes…

Long COVID has impacted many people globally. While most people will recover from the symptoms of COVID within a few weeks, others have felt the effects for months with no end in sight. It can be distressing to learn to live with long COVID, but there are some ways that you can help minimise the impact on your life and continue living life to the fullest. Here are some of the best ways to get your life back on track with long COVID. Stay Present It can help to focus on the here and now, rather than dwelling on the…

The original bingo brand Mecca is bringing bingo back in England, Scotland and Wales and will open its clubs to customers on Monday 17 May – promising to do so with even more fun and entertainment. Reopening venues is an even bigger deal for Mecca as 2021 marks its 60th year of being a part of British towns and cities, and at the heart of local communities. With all eyes on the leisure sector to help drive people back into the local area, Mecca say that their unique combination of being a community brand, alongside the fact that they have…