Author: Rhys Gregory

The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, has announced up to £3 million to support ‘digitally excluded’ learners during the coronavirus pandemic. As part of the ‘Stay Safe. Stay Learning’ programme, the Welsh Government is working with local authorities to support digitally excluded learners during the current pandemic. A ‘digitally excluded’ learner is defined as a student who does not have access to an appropriate internet-connected device to participate in online learning activities from home. Local authorities, working closely with their schools, will utilise the funding to provide digitally excluded learners with repurposed school devices and 4G MiFi connectivity where required.  Replacement…

Swansea residents who make use of the city’s foodbanks are set to have additional items included this week. There will be family activity packs collated by the council’s Cultural Services team including drawing and colouring materials supplied by local businesses. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “The activity packs will help many families looking to keep active. “I thank the businesses that have donated to this initiative and the council officers who have made it happen – they’re all here for Swansea at this difficult time, in the same way that they are when…

There has been a warm reception for Monday’s announcement from the Government granting a two-year extension to the period legally permitted for fertility clinics to store frozen eggs, sperm and embryos for use in assisted fertility procedures. The extension increases the routine storage period from 10 to 12 years, in order to allow additional time for the resumption of fertility services which are currently on hold because of coronavirus. Health minister, Lord Bethell, explained that the move is to ensure “…those that have embryos, sperm or eggs stored as part of their treatment are not unfairly caught out by the…

DETERMINED fundraisers across Wales are set to Race for Life at Home as they refuse to let the fight against cancer falter in these unprecedented times. Organisers Cancer Research UK have postponed events for this spring and summer to protect the country’s health during the coronavirus outbreak. This includes Race for Life events in Bute park, Cardiff which were due to take place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July . But as the country continues on lockdown, undeterred women and men are already vowing to carry on and complete a Race for Life challenge at home, in their garden…

Innovative Welsh company Good Day Out is offering fun virtual encounters with its little animals, streamed live from the Brecon Beacons. Choose from a mini donkey pottering about, a Kune Kune pig, chunky pony, little duck or Toro, the cuddly guinea pig. Not only are these funny ways to surprise your co-workers in a Zoom meeting, but they also have an extra feelgood mission. With every appearance, half the money raised will go to the animal filmed to help support their health and welfare. The other half will go to a new fund which supports the wellbeing of NHS staff…

TGI Fridays has today revealed it will be giving fans that ‘Fridays Feeling’ ahead of the first May bank holiday with a brand-new Click & Collect service. Launching on Wednesday 6th May, the new ordering system will allow guests to order their food and pay for it online then collect it from outside their nearest restaurant, where safety is a priority and social distancing measures are fully in place. A specially tailored menu made up of 22 Fridays favourite dishes, covering a range of appetisers, mains, desserts and kids’ options will be available to Click & Collect from the 24…

While cybersecurity should always be at the forefront of users’ minds when browsing the internet, it is never more critical than during the process of making online transactions. The reassuring logos of debit and credit card providers is normally a sign that a site can be trusted to complete transactions securely, but there are several new services challenging the dominance of these traditional online payment methods. Consumer behaviour on the high street has changed in recent years. In 2019, The Guardian reported that one in ten adults in the UK had predominantly cashless lives, driven by the rise of contactless payments. Wales…

A 54 year-old man from Basildon in Essex has been sent to prison for 16 years after being convicted of five sexual offences against a child. Sean Harknett was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court today (Tuesday 29th April). After sentencing Detective Inspector Andrew Paddison from Bridgend CID, said:  “Sean Harknett was a registered Sex Offender and today he has received a substantial prison sentence for his dreadful crimes. “I want to pay particular tribute to the victim who demonstrated tremendous bravery throughout this police investigation and Detective Constable Natasha O’Rourke who worked with the victim to bring this offender to…

KFC has announced it will open a further 80 of UK restaurant within the week. Those looking to get their hands on their favourite chicken meals in Cardiff can order through the Deliveroo app from today (Wednesday 29th April). The Cardiff Queen Street restaurant is the only KFC to open in Wales and will be open for delivery only. It’s one of 100 KFC restaurants around the UK to open. In a statement posted on the KFC website, they said: “We’re reopening our restaurants in a responsible way, with stringent processes and hygiene measures in place. We’ll be serving a…

RSPCA Cymru has dealt with 1,641 animal welfare incidents in the month following the nation entering lockdown. Dramatic new figures show that – despite the Covid-19 restrictions – the RSPCA is dealing with more than 51 incidents each and every day in Wales. The charity has released the figures as part of its emergency appeal, launched to keep its rescue teams out on the road during the Coronavirus crisis and continuing to reach and rescue animals most in need. However, vital funding is needed to help the RSPCA’s frontline staff continue this work. In total, across England and Wales, RSPCA…