Author: Rhys Gregory

The Young Carers’ Group at Pencoed Comprehensive School is leading the way for good practice in relation to young carers, being the first secondary school in the county borough to claim the Young Carers in Schools Plus Award. Developed in consultation with schools, young carer services and young carers, the award consists of two levels, with the higher tier, Award Plus, just launched in 2024.  The accolade allows schools to gain recognition from leading charities for their good practice and ability to meet the needs of young carers. Championing the young carers attending the school, staff member Mrs Bishop and…

In this fast paced world making sure you can afford your mortgage over the long term requires a plan. With the average house price in the UK going through the roof many people are struggling to find an affordable mortgage or to pay their existing one. Long term financial planning is key to making sure your dream home stays within reach without sacrificing your financial stability. Why Long Term Financial Planning Having foresight when it comes to long term financial planning, when it comes to taking a mortgage, is important. Mortgages are one of the biggest expenses for many adults…

Innovation Investment Capital Limited Partnership (IIC), the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) backed fund, has today announced a multimillion-pound investment into Transcend Packaging (‘Transcend’), the Ystrad Mynach headquartered sustainable packaging company. This investment round has been supplemented by additional equity from significant global corporations, including ITOCHU Corporation, one of Japan’s largest companies and a leading provider of pulp and paper products, providing further investment to the overall region. Transcend is a leading innovator of environmental packaging solutions across the food service and beverage sectors. It supports a new sustainable manufacturing landscape, driven by improved recyclability and reusability legislation and net zero…

Most of us have suffered a stitch at some point during our training and know how uncomfortable it can be. There are various reasons why the short, stabbing pain under the ribcage may be brought on, but the good news is that there are things you can do to avoid it from happening or alleviate the discomfort. Run 4 Wales Race Director and double Olympic marathon runner, Steve Brace, gives his advice. He says: “Stitches could be caused from weak or tense stomach muscles, your diet or running too soon after a meal or even drinking very cold water or…

The winner of the Wales Technology Awards 2024, Optimise-AI has secured a significant six-figure investment led with equity of £300,000 from the Development Bank of Wales alongside £320,000 from seven angel investors and £120,000 from co-investors Carbon13. Established in 2023 by Prof Yacine Rezgui as lead inventor and Chief Executive Nick Tune, former Global Technical Engineering Director at ATKINSRealis and Commissioner for the National Infrastructure in Wales, Optimise-AI is a spin-out of Cardiff University that has developed AI software to optimise energy and carbon management of non-domestic buildings. Optimise-AI was selected by Carbon13 to take part in its prestigious venture…

Wales’ first regenerative ocean farm, Câr-Y-Môr, has purchased The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company. The purchase, completed on July 4, 2024 and announced this week at The Royal Welsh Show, will expand Câr-Y-Môr’s selection of seaweed and shellfish products with an exciting new range of seaweed deli produce. The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company was founded in 2012 by local entrepreneur Jonathan Williams, inspired by his love of food, the beach, and the sea. Its deli products grew from recipes created at Café Mor, the award-winning solar-powered mobile street food kitchen Jonathan set up in 2010. Over the years, The Pembrokeshire Beach…

Occupier demand for commercial property in Wales fell in Q2 after rising through the first quarter of the year according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Commercial Property Monitor as the industrial sector continues to outperform both office and retail. A net balance of -17% of surveyors in Wales reported that occupier demand fell at all-sector level through the second quarter of the year. Looking at the subsectors, demand for both office and retail space was reported to have declined, with net balances of -25% and -27% respectively. Occupier demand for industrial space was noted to have…

Rhodri Thomas has been appointed as the new Head of British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru, where he will lead the charity’s operations and activities throughout Wales. Rhodri joined The British Heart Foundation in 2017 and has held a variety of roles in Wales and across the UK and brings a wealth of experience to the role, which Rhodri held on an interim basis in 2022/23. On his appointment, Rhodri said: “I’m delighted and excited to be taking up this latest role at BHF Cymru at a time when our lifesaving work has never been more needed.  I joined the BHF…

Welsh Government have this week confirmed a review into the regulation and enforcement of spreading of organic materials on land in Wales. The objective of the review is to consider the current regulatory frameworks and identify ways in which they – and their application – could be strengthened to improve river water quality. Alongside this is a specific review of the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry, including its impacts on water quality. These reviews will complement the planned four yearly review of the Control of the Agricultural Pollution Regulations by considering the wider regulatory framework. The announcement has been welcomed by…

Members, families, and friends of Cwmtrwch RFC will embark on a final push this week to walk or run 2,013 miles (a distance representing the charity’s founding year) in July in aid of the charity Popham Kidney Support. Cwmtwrch Rugby Club, established in 1890 and based in the Upper Swansea Valley, is a storied Welsh rugby union team. Known for its rich history and numerous achievements, the club currently fields a Senior XV competing in the WRU West Central 5 division. Every year, the club selects a charity to receive proceeds from its fundraising efforts. This year, their partnership with…