Author: Rhys Gregory

More than half a million disabled young people will be hit by a double disadvantage as they try to move from education to employment unless urgent action is taken, disability groups have warned. In a joint letter to Government ministers, a coalition of nine organisations led by the National Deaf Children’s Society has asked for changes to the Government’s Plan for Jobs to avoid a looming employment crisis among disabled young people aged 16-25. Without the amendments, the group says that the double disadvantage of disability discrimination and a huge increase in competition for jobs caused by COVID-19 will leave…

The Welsh Government has published updated guidance to support higher education, further education and work based providers as they continue to prepare for the autumn term and beyond. Both sets of guidance have been published by Education Minister Kirsty Williams who stressed that ‘the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, students and learners will remain a top priority’. Both sets of guidance include detailed information on protective measures including how to engage with the Welsh Government’s test, trace and protect programme and advice on PPE. Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “I am pleased to publish this guidance today. “I recognise…

Health and Social Services Minister Vaughan Gething has announced £22.7m in extra funding to help meet the additional costs adult social care providers are incurring as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The money is in addition to the £40m Welsh Government made available to local authorities in April to assist the adult social care sector. The Minister said: “Social care plays a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and has been on the front line in our effort across public services to meet the challenges posed by Covid-19. “The initial payment of…

A further 20 children’s play areas in Cardiff, including Heath Park, are to be re-opened. 50 sites across the city are already open. Play areas are being opened on phased basis, following a safety first approach and with a view to ensuring that children across the city have some play provision in their local area as quickly as possible. In line with Welsh Government guidance and health and safety legislation all sites have gone through a Covid-19 risk assessment and the equipment and safety surfaces have been inspected by a qualified playground inspector, prior to re-opening. Changes have been made…

Caerphilly County Borough Council Sport & Leisure Services start plans to reopen after Welsh Government announce that indoor sports facilities can reopen from Monday 10th August. Following careful consideration, the Welsh Government has announced today that indoor sports facilities can plan to reopen. This will enable leisure facilities such as swimming pools and indoor fitness suites to reopen to the public from Monday 10th August on a phased basis provided the appropriate measures have been considered to keep users safe. Caerphilly County Borough Council Sport & Leisure Services will now finalise a comprehensive reopening plan to ensure that all necessary guidelines…

Caerphilly’s first ever Virtual Big Cheese has been deemed a huge success with 43,000 online visitors over the weekend. Compared with the 60- 80,000 visitors the festival normally receives, the virtual festival wasn’t expected to be anywhere near as popular, yet exceeded expectations. The usual festival that takes place on the last weekend of July, could not take place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions however, the fun still continued with the virtual celebrations where lots of fantastic prizes were up for grabs. 15,331 residents tuned into the videos of cooking demonstrations, music performances and the famous ‘Cheese Race’ with…

Meat Promotion Wales have launched their annual PGI Welsh Lamb campaign by calling on consumers to experience for themselves the unique flavours that make Welsh Lamb so respected across the world. Starting on 1 August with Lamb Day, which marks the period when fresh, new-season Welsh Lamb is at its most plentiful, the new campaign will focus on helping people have confidence to cook the versatile meat from the comfort of their own homes as uncertainty continues to plague the restaurant industry. Having Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status takes into consideration how factors such as the clean air and spring…

First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today (Friday 31 July) further changes to the coronavirus regulations in Wales. The latest package of changes follow the sixth review of the coronavirus regulations and focus on enabling friends and family to meet each other outdoors and enabling more businesses to open indoors. A series of changes will be made to the coronavirus regulations over the next three weeks: From 3 August: The restrictions preventing more than two households or extended households meeting outdoors will be changed to allow up to 30 people to meet outdoors. Physical distancing must be maintained at all times. Pubs,…

Cafes, restaurants and bars will soon be able to welcome you back indoors but the message remains the same: Keep Swansea safe. A relaxation of Welsh Government pandemic restrictions means that – from Monday 3 August – hospitality businesses can serve customers indoors. However, with the deadly coronavirus still present, things won’t be back to pre-lockdown normality. Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Not acting responsibly or not following the rules could let the virus come back and could lead to lockdown restrictions bring re-imposed as they have in other parts of the UK. “So please be responsible and stay…

Showcase Cinema Cardiff Nantgarw have revealed which films will be hitting the big screen when they reopen on Monday 3rd August. Whether you want to revisit some of the biggest ever blockbusters, take a trip down memory lane, catch a film you didn’t get chance to see first time around or get the kids out of the house, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your favourite movie from just £5. Looking to finally get some action? Showcase has a film line up that’s out of this world. From Back to the Future to Jurassic Park, or even Lord of…