Author: Rhys Gregory

Unpaid carers in Wales will continue to receive additional support to take well-earned breaks from their caring role, Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden has said. The Minister has also confirmed funding is being made available to continue support for carers on low incomes to buy essential items. The Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund will receive £3.5m and £1.75m respectively for 2025/26 from the Welsh Government. These schemes are in addition to the duties that local authorities are under to provide appropriate support for carers. The Short Breaks Scheme is on track to deliver, or exceed,…

The Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing has outlined ambitious plans to establish Wales as a trailblazer in the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the Digging Deeper Conference at the International Conference Centre in Newport last week, Sarah Murphy highlighted the impact AI is already having in healthcare in Wales, as it was being used to transform public services and help drive economic growth. AI-assisted diagnosis is supporting faster identification of a range of conditions including stroke, prostate and breast cancer across the NHS in Wales. This is the first conference of its kind in…

easyHotel, the low-carbon affordable hotel chain, has completed the upgrade of its Cardiff City Centre hotel’s energy system to align with its strategy to be the leader in low-carbon great value hotels in Europe. The £845,000 upgrade is part of an ongoing £6.4 million investment started in 2023 to cut the Group’s overall CO2 emissions by 25%. Out of this, £5.1 million has been invested in the UK, with the rest set aside for the brand’s owned hotels in the EU. The energy infrastructure upgrade included replacing the gas boiler with electric air source heat pumps, upgrading mechanical units, and…

The One That Got Away stars Elen Rhys (The Mallorca Files, Craith/ Hidden) as DI Ffion Lloyd, who teams up with her former lover, DS Rick Sheldon (Richard Harrington, Y Gwyll/Hinterland), to investigate the murder of a nurse in a Welsh seaside town.  Written by Catherine Tregenna (Law & Order UK, Lewis, DCI Banks), and directed by Sion Ifan (Y Goleudy), this psychologically driven thriller delves into the complex relationship between Rick and Ffion as they confront not only a killer but also the unresolved issues of their past. The murder stirs up old wounds in the small community, casting…

As Valentine’s Day approaches, staff and volunteers at RSPCA Newport Animal Centre are eager to find a loving home for Lilly, an 11-year-old Pug currently under their care. Despite her age, Lilly is energetic and affectionate, enjoying human companionship and outdoor exploration. She thrives on attention and loves to cuddle on laps. Lilly has faced some health challenges, including the removal of all her teeth, but she has adapted well and maintains a healthy appetite. Due to her discomfort around other dogs, she would do best in a pet-free home with someone who can spend most of the day with…

The Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales is set to host Partners in Progress, an inspiring and dynamic event celebrating International Women’s Day, in collaboration with Bluestone National Park Resort. Designed to bridge the gap between today’s business leaders and the next generation, the event will bring together professionals from various industries with students from local schools, colleges, and universities. As part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, the event will highlight the importance of diverse leadership, mentorship, and allyship. Speakers will be encouraged to reflect on the impact of both male and female key figures in their careers.  Shaping the…

A vital step in a “truly game-changing expansion” at a popular science centre in Wrexham has been completed, with the activity also reducing its carbon footprint by more than 20 tonnes per annum. Xplore! Science Discovery Centre has ambitious plans to redevelop its first floor space and make a lasting impact for communities in the region. As part of this, the charity has installed more than 200 solar panels as well as insulation and carried out works on the roof of its city centre base to make it watertight. Making the space habitable and decreasing energy usage and bills was…

Artistic residents at a care home have played a starring role in a ground-breaking new film. The popular weekly art sessions at Pendine Park’s Penybryn care home in Wrexham were the focus of the shoot commissioned by the older people’s charity, Age Cymru. Among those interviewed were the home’s manager, Tracey Cuthill, and Sarah Edwards, Pendine’s consultant artist-in-residence, who leads the art classes, and talented chainsaw sculptor Paul Morris, who works on the maintenance team. Sarah said it is a great honour for Pendine Park to be asked to take part in the film which aims to put the spotlight on…

Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans along with Gloucester fly-half Gareth Anscombe and centre Max Llewellyn have been called up to the Wales senior men’s squad. They will assemble in camp with the squad on Monday 17 February to prepare for the sold-out match against Ireland at Principality Stadium on Saturday 22 February. Ospreys centre Owen Watkin has been released from the squad following an ACL injury, sustained against France in the opening round of the championship, that requires surgery. Saracens fullback Liam Williams has also been released following a knee injury sustained against France. Rob Howley remains under contract with the…

Children in low-income families in Cardiff are benefitting from a new scheme providing free, recycled bikes. The ReCYCLE scheme forms part of Council’s One Planet Cardiff response to climate change and aims to enable more children to use active travel to get to and from school by overcoming the cost barrier of buying a bike. The donated bikes used in the scheme are all no longer needed by their original owners, but instead of going to waste they are refurbished with recycled parts, ready to be used again. Since launching in September 2024, 72 pupils have received a bike through…