Author: Rhys Gregory

A mature student is celebrating achieving the highest possible grade in his healthcare and nursing course two years after emigrating to Wales from Nigeria. Dolapo Babajide, 38, moved to Pontypridd in September 2022 to support his pregnant wife who was preparing to study for her Masters degree in Public Health. While working in a hospital in Wales, Dolapo saw first-hand the impact nurses were having on the lives of patients and decided to embark on an Access to Healthcare and Nursing course at The College, Merthyr Tydfil. Today Dolapo picked up 45 distinctions in his results pack, the highest possible…

In an era of increased migration, what are the best ways of integrating newcomers into the language of their host country? It’s a question which is being addressed as part of an innovative study funded by a prestigious Leverhulme Trust research project grant. A team of researchers will start working on the project in September 2024, led by Professor Leigh Oakes from Queen Mary University London (QMUL) and including Dr Huw Lewis from the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University as well as language policy experts based at Swansea University and the Max Planck Institute in Göttingen, Germany. Over…

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has confirmed that its annual flagship event, RCPsych International Congress, will take place at ICC Wales The College is the professional medical body for psychiatrists and focuses on setting and raising standards of psychiatry in the United Kingdom. This prestigious four-day Congress will attract over 2,000 delegates and will focus on sharing examples of best practice and the latest findings in mental health. The programme will include keynote presentations from world-renowned international speakers, opinion leaders and those with lived experience, 60 sessions across five concurrent streams, an exhibition with 50 exhibitors and hundreds of poster…

An innovative new website has been launched by leading healthcare organisations and charities to provide answers and a diagnosis for ongoing, unexplained, and often misdiagnosed gut problems. It’s designed to support healthcare professionals, like GPs, make an informed diagnosis and help people experiencing gut issues understand what the cause of their problems may be. Every day, people throughout the UK visit their GP to find out why they have gut problems, with many cases being unexplained. People can spend years suffering with symptoms, such as diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, and stomach cramps before getting diagnosed – unable to find a treatment…

The afternoon sun shone after a damp start to the day, as Llanfyllin Show welcomed a large crowd and record entries. Show president Doug Williams: “The show went very well with a strong attendance. We were fortunate that the sun shone early afternoon to provide a wonderful day in the stunning setting of Bodfach Park.  “There was so much for people to see at the show and everyone worked so hard to ensure it was successful. I don’t think I have ever walked so much in a day presenting trophies to the winners in all the different sections, ably assisted…

Steven Chappell, 29, assaulted Daniel Bradley, 32, in the vicinity of The Brogden pub, Porthcawl, on September 9, 2023. He died in hospital on September 23, 2023, as a result of his injuries. Steven Chappell, from Beechwood Avenue, Cwmdare, Aberdare, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison at Newport Crown Court after being found guilty of manslaughter. Detective Inspector Claire Lamerton said: “Daniel suffered a violent, unprovoked attack from Steven Chappell. Daniel didn’t represent any threat, and nothing happened that night that justified what Steven Chappell did to Daniel. “Rather than walking away Steven Chappell’s anger resulted in the…

Over 500 people aged 50 and over in Swansea will benefit from free River Tawe cruises this summer. The sailings aboard the Copper Jack vessel run by the Swansea Community Boat Trust are being funded by Swansea Council through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. They also form part of the council’s ageing well initiative. Each trip – which lasts 90 minutes – goes from Swansea Marina and along the River Tawe to the area of the Bascule Bridge and back. Fourteen free trips each carrying 40 people are taking place for over 50s until the end of September.…

Cardiff Council has appointed net zero specialist, Sero, on a project to retrofit 153 ‘hard to heat’ properties to enhance energy efficiency and reduce resident energy bills. The multi-million-pound project will see improvements to external wall insulation and ventilation at council and privately-owned British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF) homes in the Rumney area of the city. Cardiff-based  Sero  has been appointed as retrofit co-ordinator on the project and will be responsible for ensuring the process meets the PAS 2035 retrofit standard. The group will provide end-to-end project oversight and produce Improvement Options Evaluation and Medium-Term Improvement Plans (MTIPs) for each…

A nurse is running the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon in memory of her daughter who tragically died at just 10 days old. Lacey-Esme was born in July 2009 but sadly complications soon after meant her life was taken before it could really begin. Her mum, Kirsty Thompson, is now taking on the Cardiff Half in memory of her daughter, who would have been 15 in 2024 – and she’ll be doing so as part of a group of 15, alongside her close friends and family. When Lacey-Esme was born doctors discovered she had Down’s Syndrome. Kirsty, from Chepstow, said: “To…

Coleg y Cymoedd learner Jacob Bryan, 18, is one step closer to achieving his dream of becoming a volcanologist after landing a place to study Physical Geography at Portsmouth University. Having grown up in a very active family who would regularly go out on hikes together, Jacob, from Ystrad Mynach, is passionate about the outside world and has spent the last 12 years being in the Scouts. He is now a Scout leader, helping to run weekly sessions for groups of 10-14 years olds. With skills in abseiling, archery and axe throwing, Jacob is also an explorer leader and will…