Author: Rhys Gregory

A pioneering exercise programme for kids has been launched in North Wales amid fears the Covid-19 lockdown could lead to a huge increase in childhood obesity. Bangor University’s new bilingual Dynamic Dudes video series is now available free online and is proven to get four to 11-year-olds moving – studies show over half a mile in a 20-minute spell. According to health experts, a third of children are already overweight when they start at primary school and there is mounting concern that the coronavirus restrictions could make matters even worse. The latest version of the innovative programme, created by the…

A UK-wide community of independents and freelancers is set to hold its third annual ‘Freelance Heroes Day’ in a bid to support Wales’ 80,000 freelancers. On Saturday, 16th May the group, Freelance Heroes, will hold #FreelanceHeroesDay to unite the self-employed community and champion the individual, with this year’s theme focusing on the person behind the freelancer. As the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme begins to be rolled out earlier than planned there is a growing concern that the body of workers that make up roughly 15% of UK employment may be the first financially at risk, with many seeing their…

Funding announced by Creative Wales for Grassroots Music venues as part of the Welsh Government’s £18m support for the cultural sector has now been fully allocated. A total of £401,551.39 funding has now been allocated to 22 Grass Roots Music businesses across Wales and was created to assist the music industry during the challenges surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak. Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “We’ve listened to our many stakeholders and we understand that these are uncertain times for businesses and organisations across Wales and fully recognise the massive and unprecedented challenges Coronavirus is having on…

An expert team has been established to support North Wales businesses through the ongoing coronavirus crisis. DBF, known previously as Deeside Business Forum, has set up a Business Advisory Team to provide help to organisations throughout the region facing difficulty as Covid-19 continues to impact on trading and cash flow. The specialist team of volunteer advisors will be on hand to businesses across North Wales to help with accessing loans and grants, strategic planning and issues such as legal and HR. Advisers will be able to liaise with businesses seeking support and direct them to the relevant services. The service…

A Welsh pet supplies firm is continuing to serve animal lovers across the UK thanks to a £1million Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) loan from Lloyds Bank. Pet Place, which owns five superstores across North Wales, has successfully scaled up its online and click + collect services after a 600 per cent increase in online orders meant it needed to change its operating model in the first weeks of lockdown. With stores experiencing reduced footfall, the seven-figure CBILS loan has enabled the business to ramp up its online activity. As well as supporting a relaunch of its website, the…

Engineers at University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) have been involved in the rapid development of a highly efficient 3D printed jet Venturi based respiratory support system. The project team came together following calls by Welsh Government and industry to develop rapidly manufactured CPAP solutions to aid SARS-CoV-2 patients with breathing difficulties. The team (assembled a little over a month ago), is being led by Mr Graham Howe and Mr Luca Pagano from MADECymru along with Professor Peter Charlton, Mr Richard Morgan and Mr John Hughes from the School of Engineering. The team assembled staff with experience in the…

Homelessness charity Emmaus South Wales is delivering entertainment packs to local households to help provide some light relief during the coronavirus lockdown. The charity’s ‘Rainbow Packs’, which are worth between £30 – £150, will consist of items such as games, books, puzzles and gaming consoles. The charity has created age specific packs and is offering them to households for free, however, will include a donation slip for anyone who wishes to pay what they can afford. Emmaus South Wales is a charity that provides a home, work and individual support to people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. The…

Wales urgently needs a Universal Basic Income to help the country deal with the effects of COVID-19, Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe says. Ms Howe’s job as guardian of future generations is to help public bodies and those who make policy in Wales think about the long-term impact their decisions have. She says the case for a Universal Basic Income, recommended in her new Future Generations Report, has never been more critical to support every person in Wales during the crisis. Finland has just announced the results of its two-year Universal Basic Income study, where 2,000 unemployed people aged 25…

From today, Welsh creative agency, S3 Advertising, is to display a series of adverts on a digital billboard in Cardiff, thanking people for the creative ways they are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The #CelebratingCreativity campaign has launched this morning with the release of a video on social media that captures the nation’s creative solutions to social distancing and lockdown which have helped bring people and whole communities together. Inspired by the wealth of photos and videos online and across news outlets – from back garden marathons, to rainbows painted in windows – even professional dancers showing off their moves…

The Government’s world-leading scheme to support the self-employed has opened for claims – weeks ahead of schedule. Accessible as of 8am yesterday morning self-employed individuals or members of partnerships  whose  business has been adversely affected by  coronavirus will be able to apply for a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profits. Millions are expected to benefit from the scheme with the payments – to be paid in a single instalment covering three months and capped at £7,500 – expected to land in bank accounts within six working days of each claim. Everyone eligible for the…