Author: Rhys Gregory

Digital Communities Wales: Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being (DCW) and Hwb are calling on Welsh children to get creative and bring a smile to older and more vulnerable people in our communities. Wales Education Minister Kirsty Williams today (15th April 2020) launched an initiative to get the children of Wales using their creativity to spread positive and entertaining messages online to older people who are currently self-isolating due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Digital inclusion is more important than ever at the present time, with many older people missing out on face to face communication with family and friends. DCW and…

Diabetes UK Cymru is today urging parents not to let coronavirus fears stop them from seeking medical help if they’re worried their child is showing the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Dai Williams, National Director at Diabetes UK Cymru said: “We are hearing anecdotally from clinicians that fewer young people are being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes compared to previous years or that a disproportionate number are arriving for urgent care, further highlighting the need for people to act, and fast, if they suspect type 1 diabetes. As a charity, we are here to help people with diabetes…

Young people with complex needs associated with autism ‘have a voice’ and ‘are supported to be as healthy as they can be and to achieve to their potential’ at a specialist residential service in Presteigne, according to a new report. The latest annual Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspection at Summergil House found residents there are routinely consulted about their care, activities and the environment around them. The service also won praise for its ‘person-centred approach’ and for making use of the site’s extensive grounds to carry out stimulating activities, like gardening, bush-craft and caring for chickens and rabbits, to support…

Two years ago, Tafsila Khan could never have imagined herself on stage. The mum-of-three from Cardiff had always been told she had a talent for wit but never saw herself as a performer. But suddenly in June 2018 she found herself in the spotlight, cracking jokes in front of an audience of 50 people. To her surprise, it felt completely natural. That’s when Tafsila realised that comedy was something she was born to do, that could also change her life. Tafsila, 36, was born with the hereditary disease Cone-rod Dystrophy and has been blind since birth. In 2018 she signed…

Homelessness charity urges parents to consider fear and confusion may be the cause of anger and other behavioural differences Homelessness charity, Llamau, are urging parents and guardians of children and young people to consider the fact that any anger, frustration or other behavioural differences they’re seeing, could be the result of fear and confusion caused by such drastic changes to our way of living. With routines being sorely disrupted, social interactions being dramatically reduced and independence being challenged, it’s understandable that children and young people will be feeling the effects of lockdown and isolation. It’s important to be aware that…

Asking local councils to distribute the £40 million rescue package for care homes and home care companies is like putting a “fox in charge of the hen house”, according to a social care leader. According to Care Forum Wales chair Mario Kreft MBE, the financial aid announced by Welsh Health Minister was “welcome” but it wasn’t enough and they are not confident it will all reach the front line with local government in charge. The Welsh Government say the funding will help meet the increased costs of basic PPE, food, staffing costs and ICT, which are being incurred by adult…

The average house price in Wales rose by £6,110 annually to £193,286, before the coronavirus crisis began in the UK. The figures have been released from Principality Building Society’s Wales House Price Index for Q1 (Jan-Feb) 2020, which demonstrates the rise and fall in house prices in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales. The new average house price for Wales represents a 3.3% rise compared to the same period 12 months ago. Principality’s report shows that before the coronavirus crisis started, the improving economic situation, with continuing historically low interest rates and high employment rates, had contributed to…

Cardiff’s parks were generally quieter last weekend with the majority of people observing social distancing requirements. Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury said: “The message to stay home, stay safe seems to have been heeded by the majority of people this weekend. “With sunny weather and high temperatures like we’ve had over the bank holiday weekend, Cardiff’s parks would normally be full of people, but our parks staff, who have been out on patrol with the Police every day, supported by loud hailer messages broadcast by the Coastguard, have been reporting that parks were much quieter than…

Just Eat has extended its NHS discount after being blown away by the response – with Britain’s healthcare heroes saving more than £1.5 million on meals in just two weeks. The takeaway delivery app has been receiving thousands of orders per day from NHS staff since it launched the 25 per cent discount a fortnight ago. It was introduced as a thank you to the 1.3 million dedicated workers who have been putting themselves on the frontline of the UK’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Due to the huge demand and to show continued support for the NHS, it has…

A new grant to support fishing businesses during the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic has been announced by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths. Fishing has been hit especially hard as exports and domestic markets have shut due to the public health crisis. Existing support for the wider business sector is often based on factors such as the rateable value of fixed premises, or the amount of members of staff employed – but these often don’t apply to fishing businesses. The new support has been announced by the Welsh Government as a targeted grant for vessel owning…