Author: Rhys Gregory

An innovative service that offers a safe, non-clinical environment for those experiencing mental health problems and distress has been piloted in the centre of Bridgend. Since opening just before Christmas, the out-of-hours service has received more than 100 referrals from across the area. It provides a less formal, early intervention and a homely non-clinical environment which is welcoming, calm and relaxed for those who are experiencing social distress. The service is provided by Mental Health Matters Wales and is delivered as part of a collaboration with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Bridgend County Borough Council, South Wales Police and…

Residents visiting one of Bridgend County Borough’s community testing centres can make the process even easier by downloading the NHS Covid-19 QR code app. Community testing was launched last week in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board region for people who are not showing signs of coronavirus. Statistics from Public Health Wales confirm that one in three people may not display any symptoms and may be passing the virus on to others. The first testing centre for people aged 11 and over living in Cefn Cribwr, Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cornelly, is open at Kenfig Hill Rugby and Football…

Education Minister Kirsty Williams has announced a further £72 million to support learners as part of the response towards recovery and progression since the pandemic. The funding will include the continuation of the Recruit, Recover and Raise Standards programme into the next academic year, extra learning resources and support for foundation phase learners in schools and childcare settings that provide early education. Support will also be targeted at learners in years 11, 12 and 13, to provide additional help with their transition into the next stage. Since last July, the equivalent of 1,800 extra full-time school staff have been recruited…

Only a short while ago, a lot of people believed that all they needed to do to ensure their online safety and security is to employ good, strong antivirus software. These days, the awareness of the true state of the worldwide web and dangers lurking within it are much better-known. Antivirus software is only a small piece of a puzzle. If you want to be truly secure and anonymous online, you will need to employ multiple security measures. However, if you also choose to use a VPN, you will be much safer than before. If you still don’t know why…

Biltong is probably the best high protein snack that anyone can enjoy because it is both healthy and convenient and fairly easy to come by. Now that more people have become familiar with this Southern African treat, the vast ways to enjoy it is being explored by everyone from culinary chefs to moms with teething babies. embersnacks.com are bringing you the latest in a variety of delicious biltong snacks that you can enjoy on the go or at home. There are many flavours to choose from and they make excellent additions to gift baskets if you’ve run out of creative…

Work has begun to create £2.1 million state-of-the-art facilities for Swansea University’s new pharmacy courses. The University’s Medical School will welcome the first intake of students on its four-year MPharm programme in September. It will also be launching a pharmacy with a foundation year course. The students will be able to benefit from a new 126 sq m pharmacy skills suite which will incorporate a workshop/seminar space and a simulated community pharmacy dispensary. There will be four consultation rooms, two of which can be combined via a removable partition to create a simulated hospital room. The state-of-the-art simulation centre management…

Cardiff’s biggest independent events brand has announced it will open a second live music venue inside Swansea’s Albert Hall. The DEPOT, which has established itself as one of the biggest entertainment brands in the capital city, has confirmed it will be one of the first new tenants of LoftCo’s latest redevelopment project in Swansea. The £8 million refurbishment of the former opera hall on the corner of De-La Beche Street and Cradock Street is being led by Simon Baston, director of Loft Co. Loft Co is also responsible for the development of The Tramshed in Cardiff, Goodsheds in Barry and…

A BUDDING reporter inspired by a popular broadcaster battled back from critical illness and surgery to realise his radio dreams. Former Coleg Cambria student Ron Squire is now a presenter with Towyn-based Sound Radio Wales, following a torrid 12 months. As well as living with the Coronavirus pandemic, the 25 year-old was rushed to hospital last summer when doctors identified tumours on his lung and thyroid gland. Fortunately, the tumours were dormant, and benign, but it was a shock to the system and drove Ron, from Prestatyn, to “make the leap” and become a sports journalist. As a Creative Media…

The Barclays 100×100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Funding awarded a grant of £100,000 to support The Wallich, a leading Welsh homelessness and rough sleeping charity, in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Barclays 100 x 100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Funding enabled The Wallich to: Support a total of 3,400 people since October 2020 across 71 projects in 18 Welsh local authorities. Provided 500 bed spaces across 188 properties for people who might otherwise be on the streets. Supply 350 frontline staff with more than 50,000 items of PPE including face masks, nitrile gloves, desk screens, sanitizer and thermometers…

One of the largest further education colleges in South Wales has teamed up with leading rail industry names to train the next generation of skilled railway workers and create hundreds of apprenticeships. Coleg y Cymoedd has partnered up with Protech Rail Engineering – a Treforest-based firm which provides engineering and construction expertise to the UK industry – to create the ‘Protech Training Academy’. The programme is designed to equip the country’s future workforce with the skills and experience needed to meet future demand. The collaboration will also see Protech Training Academy team up with industry partner Ganymede, a national supplier…