Author: Rhys Gregory

GISDA in Gwynedd has received £100,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to support a special club for young people from the LGBT + community, thanks to the support of National Lottery players. GISDA’s LGBT+ Club meets in Caernarfon every other week and supports young people aged 14 to 25 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans. GISDA’s aim is to support and empower LGBT+ young people by offering a safe place that accepts and values ​​who they are and promotes their health and well-being. It’s a space where they can be themselves, a place to meet other LGBT+ young…

Exciting plans for new and enhanced sporting facilities in Ystrad Mynach are being considered by Caerphilly Council A meeting of the council’s Education Scrutiny Committee will be presented with ambitious investment proposals to deliver an improved senior pitch at Sue Noakes Leisure Centre with dedicated spectator areas, barriers and enhanced lighting. In addition, it is proposed that a second, full sized pitch is also created at the site to provide additional capacity for local sports clubs. The plans are being considered as part of ongoing discussions around a multi-million pound extension to nearby Trinity Fields Special School – a flagship…

A project to encourage female leaders of the future across Wales will focus on careers in the police force via a virtual event next week. The LeadHerShip programme is bringing together five inspiring women from across the Police Force in Wales for a webinar on Wednesday 2 December from 12-1.30pm. Run by Chwarae Teg, LeadHerShip is aimed at 16-25 year old women and aims to ensure they become better represented in decision-making roles, and provides them with a platform to get their voices heard. Taking part will be: Police Officer and BAME Recruitment Champion Siobhan Aldridge, South Wales Police Chief…

Network75, the University of South Wales’s combined work and study route to a degree, is celebrating 20 years of helping students to work, earn and learn. The scheme was established in 2000 by Steve Thomas and Steve Lloyd, who were Engineering lecturers at the University. Network75’s initial aim was to encourage more students to study Mechanical Engineering, with a target of 15 students each year for five years – hence a network of 75 engineers. Network75 trainees are able to apply their academic knowledge to real-life work within their host company gaining the necessary skills, experience and qualifications that are…

A PROCUREMENT and supply chain specialist who transformed companies across Europe has given his own business a new lease of life. When Covid-19 took hold in the UK earlier this year, Tom Evans was forced to pivot and change his course of direction to navigate the economic challenge facing all sectors. As managing director of Pro Outsourcing, he has spent almost a decade working as a consultant and commercial savings expert with blue chip giants of the manufacturing, aerospace, retail, distribution, and automotive industries. But in March – as was the case for many organisations – the Wrexham-based firm suffered…

A PROJECT to improve water quality, biodiversity and restore a natural habitat has been given a boost. Forestry students from Coleg Cambria Llysfasi are helping former learner Jonathan Hulson deliver the Woodlands for Water Project, in partnership with North Wales Wildlife Trust. Driven by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Management Scheme, the two-year initiative aims to create, connect and enhance habitats within the catchments of the Afon Alun and Afon Chwiler in north east Wales, with a particular focus on improving water resource management. Stakeholders include the Welsh Dee Trust, Sustainable Forest Management, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of…

Pension Insurance Corporation plc (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension funds, has invested £65 million in debt issued by Pobl, a housing association based in Newport, Wales. The funds, the majority of which are deferred until 2021, will be used to support Pobl’s affordable housing development programme over the next two years as part of their aim to create 10,000 new homes over the next 10 years, as well as to refinance existing long-term debt. The deferral helps Pobl lock in certainty of funding at a known rate. This is the second funding agreement between PIC and POBL,…

The demand for digital skills is continuing to grow in North Wales, as the regional economy and workforce adjust to the challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic. The digital sector is one of the key growth areas identified by the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership, where employer demand exceeds supply. Figures published by the Partnership in 2019 suggested that 14.7% more qualified people are needed for professional occupations in the digital sector to replace demand up to 2024, alongside a 12.9% increase in those skilled for associate professional and technical occupations. The Partnership’s latest Covid-19 ‘Insight to North Wales Labour…

A new Starbucks store will open at Parc Pensarn, Carmarthen, on Friday 27 November. Operated by Starbucks licensee, The Magic Bean Company, the store will be the first Starbucks Drive Thru in the area and will create 20 new jobs. Customers are invited to visit the store to enjoy Starbucks holiday menu, with returning festive favourites the Toffee Nut Latte, Gingerbread Latte, and Eggnog Latte available. Customers can also try Starbucks new items this season, including the Truffle Deluxe Hot Chocolate and The One with the Gravy Layer Sandwich. To celebrate the opening, there will be a ribbon cutting hosted…

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has been working in partnership with Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council to identify centres to deliver the Covid 19 vaccinations. The mass vaccination centres will be set up in Cardiff and Vale Therapy Centre in Splott,  Pentwyn Leisure Centre and Holm View Leisure Centre in Barry. The centres can be accessed by appointment only and those that are eligible to receive the vaccination will be sent a letter to contact the booking line to receive an appointment. All centres have adequate car parking and public transport access to meet the service need.…