Author: Rhys Gregory

A Swansea Bay paediatric nurse has been named as a finalist for a prestigious award for her work in raising awareness of the challenges faced by children with feeding tubes. Louise Heywood, a paediatric nutrition nurse in Morriston Hospital works with 85 families and their children who have nasogastric (NG) tubes. These special tubes keep children, who are unable to eat normally, alive. They deliver food, fluid and medicine to the stomach through a tube in the nose. Louise has been nominated in the Enhancing Patient Dignity category of this year’s Nursing Times Awards for producing a video called ‘This…

LEADING North Wales organisations made great strides in supporting people experiencing mental health issues or isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Led by Conwy Mind and funded by Conwy Valley and North West Wales Coast Community Rail Partnership and Carneddau Landscape Partnership Scheme, more than 80 people took part in the Walking for Wellbeing programme throughout July. All routes began at a bus stop or train station and included socially distanced leader-led hikes of varying difficulties and lengths around Conwy, Llanrwst and Abergwyngregyn. The final leg took place in Betws-y-Coed on Wednesday, where participants also enjoyed sensory activities and mindfulness sessions.…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed a report and recommendations by the Welsh Affairs Committee on the implications of a UK Australia Free Trade Agreement for Wales. The report, published after two evidence sessions held in July, calls for the UK Government to take a number of steps the union says would increase transparency around the deal and its impacts for Wales and clarify what, if any, safeguards would be in place in worst case scenarios that adversely impacted UK agriculture. Speaking after the report’s publication, FUW Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick, who gave evidence to the Committee,…

A new ‘bee friendly’ approach to managing Neath Port Talbot Council’s verges and grasslands has been adopted by the council’s Regeneration and Sustainable Development Cabinet Board. The Bee Friendly Scheme, approved on Friday, July 30th, 2021, will see a big increase in wildflower species and the insects such as bees which pollinate them in support of the council’s Biodiversity Duty Plan and the NPT Nature Recovery Action Plan. The scheme has been prepared jointly by the council’s Neighbourhood Services and Countryside and Wildlife Teams, in consultation with other sections across the council, with the aim of increasing the area and…

Dare Valley Country Park is gearing up for an amazing summer, with the opening of the brand-new Gravity Family Bike Park on August 7. The team at DVCP has partnered with industry experts and professional bikers who’ve been helping riders take on the world-famous Wye Valley and Forest of Dean attractions for over a decade – bringing their amazing experiences to this corner of South Wales. Zoom down Penrhiwllech Mountain on the bespoke trails of Gravity Bike Park– stopping at a range of pump tracks along the way. Use the uplift transport service to get you and your bike to…

This Saturday 7th of August will see Newbridge Leisure Centre open its doors as a Walk in Vaccine Centre. The service will operate between 10am and 3pm for those aged 18 and over who have not yet had their FIRST dose of the Pfizer Covid Vaccine. Or If you had your first Vaccine on or before the 12th June, come along to receive your SECOND dose of Pfizer. Residents of Gwent are permitted to attend provided they bring photo identification, nothing else will be required.

Welsh Government have proposed to introduce a 20mph speed limit on restricted roads across Wales. Restricted roads include roads where street lights are placed no more than 200 yards apart. They are usually located in residential and built-up areas with high pedestrian activity. Reducing the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in these areas could see a number of benefits, including: Reducing road collisions More opportunities to walk and cycle in our communities Helping to improve our health and wellbeing Making our streets safer; and Safeguarding the environment for future generations If passed, Wales will be the first country in…

Following changes to the policy on self-isolation, the Welsh Government’s self-isolation support scheme will increase from £500 to £750. The increase in the payment, will come into effect from the 7th August and will l be reviewed by Ministers in three months. The payment is designed to breakdown some of the financial barriers faced by people who are told to isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect (TTP) service because they have tested positive, have symptoms of coronavirus or are a close contact who is not fully vaccinated. The payment scheme, which has been extended until March 2022, helps…

Welsh Government has doubled its spending on social housing for rent, committing an initial £250million in 2021/22 for 20,000 new low carbon homes. The ambitious plans will address a rising demand for housing and the climate crisis, providing good quality and affordable green homes to those who need them. All homes will be built to bold new quality and environmental standards with the aim for some of the stock to go beyond net zero and produce more energy than they use. A further announcement on this is expected before the end of this month. Visiting one of Wales’ first ‘positive…

No matter what freelancing advertisers say, having a stable job gives the comfort and security to many people. Thus, it may be empowering and refreshing to quit one job searching for something better, but the pleasure of refreshment may quickly change into depression and frustration after 3-4 months of fruitless job search. As a result, instead of becoming a happier version of yourself, you get into a creative and professional rut, cultivating fears and uncertainty about your future prospects.  With the outburst of COVID-19, the job loss has lost its appeal as a life-changer. In fact, it remained a life-changing…