End Wales free school meal stigma, says Joyce Watson AM

Wales should put an end to the "stigma" children face for claiming free school meals, an assembly member claims.
Joyce Watson, Labour AM for Mid and West Wales, backs a fingerprint ID system of cashless payments to help poorer children.

She is due to launch a debate on the issue in the Senedd on Tuesday and says some pupils are going hungry to avoid being seen to claim free meals.
She says there is a mixed picture on the use of cashless payment systems.

Her office's research indicates that in Denbighshire, for example, all secondary schools use some sort of cashless system, whereas in Anglesey none do.

Most commonly, in schools where children still pay with cash for their dinners, pupils eligible for free meals are given tickets.

The AM believes this makes it easy for such children to be identified and put at risk of bullying.

She recommends rolling out a system by which children have accounts to pay for school dinners which can be topped up either by their parents or by the local authority if they qualify for school meals.

All pupils would then pay for their meals by a biometric reading of their fingerprint at the till without anyone knowing how their account was funded.

Ms Watson said: "68% is the average take up of free school meals where we have a system that identifies against a near 100% where we have a system that doesn't identify those who have free school meals and those who don't.

Sugar levels


She claimed that in schools without a cashless system there were "an awful lot of children simply going hungry" to avoid being seen to have free meals.

"[They] can't concentrate. Their sugar levels fall and their behaviour is also adversely affected by what's happening," she said.

Ms Watson intends to use her short debate during the assembly plenary to remind fellow AMs of a government commitment to roll out such cashless systems.

She said: "[Education Minister Leighton Andrews] did commit to rolling this out by September 2012.
"I want to know that that is happening. And I really think that this archaic practice of identifying children has to stop."

Addressing security concerns, Ms Watson said pupils' fingerprints were stored securely by the company that installed the biometric technology away from the school and could not be accessed by authorities.


One disincentive to move to a biometric system may be the cost, which the AM estimates at up to £30,000 for installation and £2,000 a year for maintenance.

However, Stephen Jones, head teacher of Ysgol Glan-y-Mor in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, said its piloting of a biometric payment system over the last four years had delivered results.


He said it had cut the time pupils queued for lunches as well as removing any stigma attached to free school meals.

"The children like it," he said.

"It's almost a fun element to having their lunch, the fingerprints.

"It's much quicker so they're happy about that.

"The offshoot, I suppose, would be that parents can actually have computerised printouts of all the food and drink that their children consume and they can keep an eye on whether they're having a healthy diet or not."

My Way, My Life is coming to an area near you!

On Thursday 21st July 2011, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, My Way My Life is coming to the Royal Pavillion in Llangollen.

Do you sometimes feel that time is passing you by?

Do you feel you could do more?

Would you like to have more control over your life?

Would you like to have the confidence to just “go out and do it”?

Would you like to find the new you?

Would you like help with training, volunteering or employment opportunities?

If the answer to any of these questions is “YES” then come along to the Pavilion, Llangollen and see what My Life My Way has to offer. Find out how you, like others, can change your lifestyle for the better.

If you would like more information regarding My Life My Way please contact Vicky Hoban or Sandra Jones on 01745 334976.

OCN Music Course

South West Rhyl Communities First will be holding an OCN accredited music course, open to any 16-25 yr old's living within the Rhyl area, who are not in employment, education or training.

There will be two trained and experienced Community Music tutors, guiding and supporting the beneficiaries through the activity. At the end of the course the participants will have produced original pieces of music and gained accreditation for their achievements.

The music workshops will be available in both English and Welsh.

For more information please contact Sarah Breeze Project Officer on 014286 685248, or by email on sarah.breeze@communitymusicwales.org.uk.

To view the flyer for this event please click here.

* You will be charged for non attendance (£25), if you reserve your place and do not to turn up to the sessions.

Get on your bike!

Marsh Tracks cycling facility is now officially open. If you would like to book the track for use for your groups please contact Justin Lewis on 01745 353335 or email justin@marshtracks.co.uk.

There are a range of cycles and helmets available for use.
Let's make the most of this fantastic facility in Denbighshire

Can a welfare-to-work scheme get Rhyl back on the job?

Panorama's Vivian White visited Rhyl on the north Wales coast to meet some of the people affected by the government's planned welfare reforms. In one area of Rhyl, half of the adults are on out-of-work benefits - one of the highest figures in the UK.

Plumb in the centre of this seaside town that was once a popular holiday destination, there is a pub called Last Orders. It is a somewhat challenging name because it happens to be right in the middle of an area where things have gone badly, depressingly wrong. The dire unemployment numbers here are what brought us to Rhyl.
We came to meet some of the people affected and to see what the town itself has done to try to solve its welfare problem.

This month sees the launch of the Work Programme, which pays organisations - from voluntary groups to public and private organisations - incentives if they get people off welfare and into work, as long as they stay in work.

Other changes proposed include replacing six income-related work-based benefits with a single universal credit from 2013.

The government says it will make sure people are always better off in work, there will be an annual benefit cap of about £26,000 per family and those refusing to work face a loss of benefits for up to three years.

Labour MP Chris Ruane was raised in Rhyl and is involved in local back-to-work initiatives.

He arranged for Ray Worsnop, who has worked in markets all his life, to set up the new open-air market in the town centre, where he ran a course which aims to turn people on benefits into market traders.

"I was brought up when there were lots of jobs and I was brought up with work ethic," Mr Worsnop said. "And now that we have two or three generations of unemployed, I'm really worried that the work ethic isn't there."

Mr Worsnop said he hoped teaching others the life of a market trader might make a difference and encourage them to not give up on finding work.

Christine Ibbotson is one of his students in the market experiment.

She is on incapacity benefit as she waits for an operation to treat a chronic wrist problem and says she would much rather be working.

"I'm not staying on the sick, no way, I don't want to," she said, although she added that after being out of the workforce for a long time, she was daunted by the government's move to reassess everyone receiving incapacity benefit with an eye to returning many to work.

"It's not the thought of getting up or anything like that. It's just, I don't know, it is a bit frightening," she said of being reassessed.

'Complete revolution'

MP Mr Ruane was also a key player in creating Rhyl's "City Strategy" which helped to fund a new cafe and restaurant on the waterfront called the Taste Academy.
At the cafe, you will likely be served by, and your food prepared by, people recently on benefits. It is a six-month training scheme and new eatery all in one. It should turn out people poised to find employment in the sector.

But Mr Ruane has a bleakly critical view of the plan for welfare reform: "If you get the big stick out too soon, too early, when there's no jobs there or even worse, when the job opportunities are diminishing, you'll be driving people back on the streets."

Employment Minister Chris Grayling disagrees: "There's absolutely no reason for anyone to end up on the streets as a result of what we're doing."

In the ward of West Rhyl, half of adults are on out-of-work benefit.

Mr Grayling called the government's plans "a complete revolution in welfare to work" and defended the new approach to providing benefits, including the three years' loss of benefit if someone repeatedly turns down jobs that are on offer.

"The only people who put themselves in danger of finding their benefits stop are those who are capable of doing so and wilfully say 'I refuse to engage with the system,'" Mr Grayling said.

Steve Falvey, 21, father to a baby girl, has taken part in the local football club's Strikers programme that aims to boost self-confidence and life skills and get the long-term unemployed used to being on time and organised.

He has already had his benefits reduced under the existing rules for not applying for a job that he did not like the sounds of.

He said he wants to work, but added: "Not any job. I'd have to like the job, like I said."

Panorama: A Job to Get Work, BBC One, Monday, 6 June at 2030BST and then available in the UK on the BBC iPlayer.

Rhyl is still unemployment capital of Wales - North Wales News - News

According to the Daily Post today, Denbighshire County Council say's that parts of Rhyl are still the unemployment capital of Wales. Click the link below to read more
Rhyl is still unemployment capital of Wales - North Wales News - News

Women Making a Difference - Engendering Change Summer Courses

For women who want to ‘make a difference’ in their communities and in public life in Wales

Following the success of our previous Engendering Change courses we are delighted to announce the dates and venue of a number of new courses to be held across Wales this summer.

This unique training programme gives women, particularly those women who are currently underrepresented in civic society because of race, religion, disability, sexuality or age the confidence and skills to take a more active role as leaders in their in their community as well as public and political life in Wales. Giving women a voice in the decision making process.

The training is FREE, a crèche is provided (or childcare costs covered) and transport and access costs reimbursed.

May 2011:
Young People’s Engendering Change, Mold, Flintshire
Four consecutive days : 31 May to 3 June (inclusive) between 9.00am - 4.00pm
For young people between the ages of 16 and 21, both male and female.

June 2011:
Engendering Change, The Lighthouse, Llanelli
Tuesdays, 9.30am – 3.00pm starting 7th June for five weeks.

Engendering Change, WEA Swansea
Wednesdays, 9.30am – 3.00pm starting 8th June for five weeks.

July / August 2011:
Engendering Change, Adamsdown Resource Centre, Cardiff
Saturday mornings, starting late July and running through the summer holidays.


Do you have any contacts who would like to enrol on any of these courses? Please feel free to circulate this information to any women (or young men where applicable) you think would be interested in taking part.

For more details and an application form please contact Jane Fisher either by e-mail: wmad@btconnect.com or phone 029 2022 1965.

Closing dates apply and are usually two weeks before the start date of each course. Places are limited - there will be a maximum of 20 on each of the training courses - so it is recommended that places are booked early.

Communities First backs campaign to bring back nit nurses at local school!

The Step up Project & Staff from Communities First have been supporting a local girl campaigning to bring back the nit nurse. A partnership comprised of communities first, The step up project, Christchurch school, Local parent Kelly Payne and the school nurses raised awareness of the problem at an event today at the school.
To see coverage of the event by ITV Wales go to http://www.itv.com/wales/nit-nurse-return10395/

Saving Money - Energy Best Deal

Ofgem and Citizens Advice have produced a series of seven short films covering - how to reduce your energy costs and what help is available from both suppliers and Government if you are struggling to pay your energy bills.
The short videos include


•Shopping around for the best energy deal
•How to be energy efficient
•Avoiding debt and disconnection
•Dealing with sales people
•How to make a complaint
•Getting help with your energy bills
•More money in your pocket – consumers talking about the savings they have made thanks to Energy Best Deal
Read more & view the videos at: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Consumers/smebd/Pages/smebd.aspx

Is your property at risk of flooding?

HOW DO I FOUND OUT?
You can check by phoning Floodline on 08459 881188.
Alternatively, you can visiting our website:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwales and enter your postcode.


I’M AT RISK OF FLOODING, WHAT CAN I DO NOW?
There are many things you can do to prepare your property for flooding. The first step is to sign up to our free Floodline Warnings Direct service either by phone (08459 881188) or online. This enables you to receive a warning of flooding in your local area via phone, text or email. However, it is important to regularly monitor the weather forecast for your area.

There is also information online about how you can protect your property from flooding, or contact Floodline on 08459 881188 for further advice.

WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DOING?
We have been given government funding to work with local residents to produce a community flood plan and we are identifying volunteer flood wardens from within the community. The role of volunteer flood warden involves being part of a communication chain between the Environment Agency and the residents of Rhyl. Flood Wardens are not expected to enter flood water or put themselves at risk in any way.

We are looking for community spirited people to help us.

If you wish to become a volunteer flood warden, or are interested in learning more about the role, feel free to contact Sabina Dunkling on 01248 484029 or by e-mail: sabina.dunkling@environment-agency.wales.gov.uk

Denbighshire’s Adult Placement Scheme

Have you ever considered giving support to a vulnerable person? Throughout Denbighshire, there are men and women who need support and guidance for a variety of reasons. The adult placement scheme is all about finding people who want to be adult placement carers.

The scheme provides a range of services from promoting independence to providing full care and can include: providing somewhere to live, somewhere to stay for a short break, somewhere to go for support during the day or someone to offer support to a vulnerable adult to allow them to live in their own home.

Potential carers will be assessed to make sure they understand what is involved and have the skills to support people. Training may be given if carers feel they would benefit.


In turn, the adult placement team ensures that service users, both carers and cared for, are matched with both sets of needs taken into account. The process is facilitated through introducing both parties and arranging visits, including overnight stays where appropriate.


Once a placement is secured, continual practical and emotional support is given via an Adult Placement Officer, who will visit regularly to make sure things are going well and to help with any potential issues. They will make sure that placement review meetings are held regularly to discuss any concerns.


If you would like to offer your time and support to a young person, or you would like further information about Adult Placements, please contact: Sue Parry, Adult Placement Officer, email: sue.parry@denbighshire.gov.uk or Jacqui Bryan, Registered Manager, email: Jacqui.bryan@denbighshire.gov.uk or write to: Adult Placement Scheme, Unit B7, Trem y Dyffryn, Colomendy Industrial Estate, Denbigh, LL16 5TX. Phone: 01824 712750


More information can also be found on Denbighshire County Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk.
Service users need to be eighteen and over.

Disability Living Allowance to be replaced with new benefit

Disabled people will continue to be able to rely on a non-means tested cash benefit as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is replaced with a new Personal Independence Payment.


The new benefit will continue to help disabled people live independent lives and will for the first time include regular reassessments to ensure that people are getting the right level of support when they need it most.


This follows one of the biggest ever consultations at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with more than 5500 responses from disabled people and disability organisations.


Responding to the consultation today, Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People said:


"Disabled people are at the heart of our welfare reform plans and severely disabled people who need extra help and support will always get it. That’s why we have spent the last few months working closely with disabled people and disability organisations to make sure we are making the right changes to DLA.



"We’ve listened to what they have told us and we will be working with them to make sure that the new Personal Independence Payment does what it should.

"We have also said that we won’t remove the mobility component from care home residents in 2012 and instead we are reviewing the mobility component as part of our wider reforms of DLA."


DLA is paid to help people who cannot do things like walk or wash and dress themselves.

It provides a contribution to the extra costs severely disabled people incur.

DLA is claimed by 3.2 million people at an annual cost of £12bn.

Currently more than 2 million people get the benefit indefinitely which means there is no way of knowing if their condition has changed or if they actually need more help and support.

Nearly a quarter of all working age people on DLA have not had any review of their claim in 10 years.

The Personal Independence Payment can be claimed by disabled people whether they work or not. It will also:

Introduce a more objective assessment of need, which will be developed with the help of disability organisations and disabled people

Allow disabled people to be reassessed over time – something that is lacking in the current system - to ensure everyone receives the correct support if their needs change.

Source - Department for work & pensions

Government asks voluntary organisations to provide work experience placements

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Chris Grayling , has called on the voluntary sector to provide work experience placements for young people as part of the government’s Budget pledge to fund 80,000 placements over the next two years.

The government announced in last week’s Budget that it would provide 100,000 work experience places, 80,000 more than at present, to help combat the youth unemployment crisis. Yesterday in Parliament, Grayling called on private, public and voluntary sector organisations to be open to providing these placements.

“We already have apprentices working in the Department (for Work and Pensions), but we as a department will take a lead in providing work experience places - including something like 4,000 throughout the Department per year,” said Grayling.

“We will also actively go out and encourage organisations to come forward and take part in the work experience programme. I hope every company in the country - private, public and voluntary sector organisations - will give young people the chance to take those first steps in the workplace.”

The Department is to spend £20m in the first year and £20m in the second year on funding the placements.

The training of 50,000 apprentices will also be funded by the government in its Budget reforms, and a spokesperson at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills advised that civil society organisations were encouraged to participate.

“It’s not for voluntary roles, they have to be paid, but absolutely, we want apprenticeships to become popular in all disciplines,” he said when asked if the sector was welcome in the new apprenticeship scheme.

Rhyl radio station is one of seven community radio stations to receive grant

Seven community radio stations in Wales have received a share of £100,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Radio Fund.
The seven stations were chosen for their commitment to their communities in a number of areas, including; encouraging healthy lifestyles, promoting training and social enterprise for excluded and vulnerable people and strengthening cultural and linguistic identity.

Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones said:

“These radio stations play a valuable role reflecting the issues affecting people living in their communities. They also provide opportunities for residents to gain new skills and in some cases employment. Many are doing good work in promoting healthy lifestyles, the Welsh language and social enterprise. I’m very please to announce these grants and to congratulate the stations on the important role they play in their communities.”

The seven community radio stations that were awarded grants are:

GTFM in Pontypridd receives £15,899.
BRFM in Blaenau Gwent receives £16,500.
XS in Neath Prot Talbot receives £10,000.
Tudno FM in Llandudno receives £15,222.
Point FM in Rhyl receives £10,000.
Calon FM in Wrexham receives £16,500.
Bro Radio in the Vale of Glamorgan receives £15,899.

Number of lone parents in Wales who are out of work soars

 THE number of jobless single parents in Wales has increased by 69% in a year, Government figures have revealed. Figures from the Department of Work and Pensions shows that the number of lone parents claiming jobseekers allowance increased from 2,575 in January 2010 to 4,345 in January 2011.

Charities have called for more help for parents, at a time when there are 6.3 claimants for every job advertised in the job centre.Some of the growth is likely to be down to a change in rules in October, which means lone parents whose youngest child is aged over seven can no longer claim income support, instead of 10 or 11 as it was previously, means new claimants are more likely to have issues with childcare.


Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/03/19/number-of-lone-parents-in-wales-who-are-out-of-work-soars-91466-28364507/#ixzz1HGZBhSEd

Zoo project to create new jobs in Wales

 Job seekers hoping to find local employment opportunities could benefit from a new initiative at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.

The Welsh Assembly has announced funding for a new project that will provide new jobs, training opportunities and community facilities at the attraction, as well as adding a new exhibit for visitors.

Work on the new Wales Centre for Wildlife Skills and Education could be set to begin in 2012, thanks to funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s North Wales Coast Regeneration Area programme.

Additional external investment is also needed to fund the new centre, to be run by the National Zoological Society of Wales, in partnership with Coleg Llandrillo Cymru.

The initiative will feature an all-weather tropical house and science discovery exhibition, alongside a training, skills and education centre. Employment opportunities in teaching and zoology will be created as a result.

In addition, nearby Llandrillo College will run courses in animal and life science in the centre, utilising the space as a community facility for schools and other groups.


Deputy minister for housing and regeneration, Jocelyn Davies says regeneration aims to make the most of what an area has to offer.


She said: "The zoo is already a big feature of the North Wales coast and can therefore play a big role in regenerating the area by providing new jobs, training opportunities and community facilities as well as boosting the tourism industry.

"The National Zoo’s development plans look very interesting and I commend them for their intention to develop a facility that will benefit the local area in so many ways. The educational side of the development will provide excellent new training opportunities for people across North Wales in a field where opportunities are limited at the moment."
Boosting the number of tourists visiting the area will also help to benefit the local economy, she added.

The zoo's co-director, Chris Jackson, says growing demand for training and skills in life sciences can open up a range of employment opportunities for people.

He confirmed that the project will create at least 12 new jobs at the attraction, and increase job security for existing employees.

The Wales Centre for Wildlife Skills and Education will add to the zoo's recent development programme – investment in Sea Lion Rock, a new Condor aviary and its Safari Restaurant.

Growth in Wales' manufacturing industry could also boost employment opportunities in the country.

Deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has told industry leaders that the Welsh Assembly is committed to the future of manufacturing in Wales.

He said Welsh economic policies will focus on the skills of the workforce, which could help create new jobs in the sector.

In addition, he admitted that intense competition from Eastern Europe, China and India means research and development and further training opportunities are essential to continued growth.

Recently firms including Schaeffler, Nuaire in Caerphily, DMM in Llanberis and Control Techniques Drives Ltd in Newtown have all proved successful.

Potential expansion of firms in the sector could be good news for job seekers hoping to secure new employment opportunities in manufacturing.

For more information about the Welsh Mountain Zoo, visit the official website. www.welshmountainzoo.org/

People Power Saved Blue Bins

In the face of responses from over 5,000 Denbighshire residents, the Welsh Assembly Government has reversed plans to make the Council ditch its extremely successful Blue Bin recycling service.
In its report published today, Assembly officials said that 4,237 individual responses were received in response to a suggestion that Councils with recycling services different to that suggested could receive cuts in their funding. It reports that, “The majority of these responses originated from a single Local Authority”.
In addition to these individual responses, the Assembly also received a further 16 petitions comprising 1,173 signatures.
The report went on to say that just 14 of the 4,237 responses favoured the Assembly position, but it did not indicate whether these responses were from Denbighshire residents, or not.
A Denbighshire County Council spokesman said: “Thousands of Denbighshire residents contacted the Assembly to say exactly how highly they rated the Council’s recycling scheme. We wish to thank every single person who wrote, telephoned or e-mailed the Assembly in support of the Council’s approach. We hope they are as pleased as we are that their recycling service is safe. It is to their credit that Assembly officials have taken notice of this overwhelming show of public support.”
Denbighshire County Council reported the highest recycling rate of all Welsh Councils in 2009/10 with a rate that was recently revised upwards to 52%. A recycling trade journal reported recently that Denbighshire had the third lowest levels of residual household waste (waste that is not recycled) out of more than 400 United Kingdom Local Authorities.
Coming to the end of this financial year the recycling rate in Denbighshire has increased to around 55%, which could quite possibly make residents the best recyclers in Wales for a second time. With extensions of the x2 service planned for 2011, it is possible that recycling rates could peak at over 60% during the summer.
Welsh Assembly Government’s Response to, and Analysis of, the Consultation of the Draft Municipal Sector Plan Part 1
http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/consultation/110310municipalwasteresponseen.pdf

Wales gets volunteering boost

Volunteering in Wales has been given a boost with confirmation that a leading grant scheme has been extended to 2012.

WCVA’s Volunteering in Wales Fund has received continued support from the Welsh Assembly Government meaning that organisations will be able to apply for funding to support projects for the next year.

The Fund can offer grants of up to £25,000 to support and develop new volunteers through covering the cost of the volunteer expenses and training; contributions to organisations’ running costs and the recruitment of specialist staff to help support new volunteers.

The deadline to make a grant application is Friday 15 April 2011.

The Fund is currently supporting a diverse range of charities ranging from Women Connect First, Home-Start St Mellons, Pedal Power and Crest Cooperative to Menter Y Felin Uchaf, while helping to widen access to volunteering for under-represented groups.

Mark Bendon, Senior Grant Assessor for the Fund said: ‘We are delighted that the funding has been agreed – the Volunteering in Wales Fund makes a real difference to so many charities in Wales and such a wide-ranging number of charities.

‘These organisations rely on volunteers who need training and support so that they can offer maximum support to their communities and service users.

‘The Fund is helping to ensure that there is professional support for these volunteers. Increasingly many of the organisations we fund offer accredited training and there are numerous examples of volunteers finding employment as a result of their volunteering.

‘In the last year alone, the scheme has helped recruit over 2,000 new volunteers who have contributed more than 200,000 hours to the benefit of Welsh communities.

‘This work would otherwise cost over £3m in economic terms.

‘Demand is always high for this grant and we carefully consider the outputs likely to be achieved by supported groups.

‘Additionally, we encourage applications that support the recruitment of volunteers from the following groups: 16-25 years; 50 years plus; people with disabilities; BME groups and unemployed people.

For further details and an application pack, contact the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or email help@wcva.org.uk.


Hwb i wirfoddoli yng Nghymru

Cafodd gwirfoddoli yng Nghymru hwb wrth glywed bod cynllun grant blaenllaw wedi cael ei ymestyn tan 2012.

Mae Cronfa Gwirfoddoli yng Nghymru WCVA wedi derbyn cefnogaeth barhaus gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, sy’n golygu y bydd mudiadau yn gallu gwneud cais am nawdd i gefnogi prosiectau ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf.

Gall y Gronfa gynnig hyd at £25,000 i gefnogi a datblygu gwirfoddolwyr newydd drwy dalu am gost hyfforddiant a threuliau gwirfoddolwyr, cyfrannu at gostau rhedeg mudiadau a recriwtio staff arbenigol i helpu i gefnogi gwirfoddolwyr newydd.

Y dyddiad olaf ar gyfer gwneud cais am grant yw dydd Gwener 15 Ebrill 2011.

Ar hyn o bryd, mae’r Gronfa’n cefnogi amrywiaeth helaeth o elusennau’n amrywio o Women Connect First, Home-Start Llaneirwg, Pedal Power a Chydweithfa’r Crest i Fenter y Felin Uchaf, tra ar yr un pryd agor drws gwirfoddoli i grwpiau nad ydynt wedi’u cynrychioli’n deg.

Dywed Mark Bendon, Uwch Asesydd Grantiau’r Gronfa: ‘Rydym wrth ein bodd bod y nawdd wedi’i gadarnhau – mae’r Gronfa Gwirfoddoli yng Nghymru yn gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol i gynifer o elusennau yng Nghymru ac elusennau mor wahanol eu naws.

‘Mae’r mudiadau hyn yn dibynnu ar wirfoddolwyr y mae angen hyfforddiant a chefnogaeth arnynt er mwyn iddynt gynnig cymaint o gefnogaeth ag y bo modd i’w cymunedau a’u defnyddwyr gwasanaeth.

‘Mae’r Gronfa yn helpu i sicrhau bod yna gefnogaeth broffesiynol ar gael i’r gwirfoddolwyr hyn. Mae mwy a mwy o’r mudiadau a noddwn yn cynnig hyfforddiant achrededig, ac mae yna enghreifftiau lu o wirfoddolwyr yn dod o hyd i waith cyflogedig yn sgil eu gwaith gwirfoddol.

‘Y llynedd yn unig, mi helpodd y cynllun i recriwtio dros 2,000 o wirfoddolwyr newydd sydd wedi cyfrannu dros 200,000 o oriau er budd cymunedau Cymru.

‘Byddai’r gwaith hwn, fel arall, wedi costio rhagor na £3m mewn termau economaidd.

‘Mae galw mawr am y grant yma bob amser ac rydym yn rhoi ystyriaeth fanwl i’r canlyniadau y mae’r grwpiau a gefnogir yn debygol o’u cyflawni.

‘Ar ben hynny, rydym yn annog ceisiadau sy’n cefnogi recriwtio gwirfoddolwyr o’r grwpiau canlynol: pobl ifanc 16-25 oed; pobl 50 oed a drosodd; pobl ag anableddau; grwpiau BME a phobl ddi-waith.

I gael mwy o fanylion a phecyn ymgeisio, cysylltwch â Desg Gymorth WCVA ar 0800 2888 329 neu anfonwch e-bost at help@wcva.org.uk

Changes to crisis loans - protecting the vulnerable.

Urgent restrictions on Crisis Loans have been announced today in order to protect the discretionary Social Fund budget, which could run out before Christmas if current spending levels continue.

Crisis Loans were set up to meet immediate short-term needs in an emergency. Yet in the last seven years there have been over seven million claims from 400,000 regular users applying for 10 or more crisis loans. Since telephone claims were introduced in 2006 daily spend on the loans has tripled to £1million a day.

From April, the Department for Work and Pensions will no longer pay Crisis Loans for items such as cookers and beds, will limit the amount paid for living expenses and will set a cap of  three Crisis Loans for general living expenses in a rolling year.

Minister for Pensions, Steve Webb said:

"It is clear that the system is acting as a sticking plaster that isn’t addressing the real problems that people are facing. We need to ensure that crisis loan support is correctly targeted at those who need it most and ensure we can still afford to pay Budgeting Loans. That’s why we’ve taken urgent action today to protect the budget.

"We don’t want to leave people on low incomes without the safety net of interest-free Budgeting Loans and then turning to loan sharks for help."

Budgeting Loans are intended to help long-term income-related benefit recipients cope with the cost of essential items like furniture and household equipment. If spending continued, money for them would run out by Christmas.

The planned changes to the Crisis Loan system from April 2011 are:

No longer paying Crisis Loans for items such as cookers and beds. There will be some residual support for people following a disaster such as flooding.

We will reduce the rate paid for living expenses from 75 per cent down to 60 per cent of benefit rate. This will align with the position for Jobseekers Allowance cases paid at the hardship rate.

We will implement a cap of three Crisis Loan awards for general living expenses in a rolling twelve month period. This policy was tested by Jobcentre Plus in 2009-10.

Social Fund: the current scheme

The Social Fund currently consists of a discretionary and a regulated scheme.

Discretionary Scheme: Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans.

Regulated Scheme: Cold Weather Payments, Funeral Payments, Sure Start Maternity Grants and Winter Fuel Payments.

Social Fund: reform

We have already announced as part of wider welfare reform that the discretionary elements will be reformed from 2013.

The Welfare Reform White Paper announced that local authorities in England will deliver reformed support to replace Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for general living expense.

Crisis Loan alignment payments, interim payments of benefit and Budgeting Loans will be replaced by a system of payments on account integrated into benefits.

Replacing Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans with provision tailored to local services and integrated with wider support will ensure support properly targeted at those in the greatest need.

Charities attack new limits on emergency welfare loans

Crisis loans for the poor, small cash awards that tide over people in dire need, are to be cut, in a move criticised by charities, with one describing it as "cutting holes in the final layer of the safety net for families".

Averaging £100, the loans are meant to help the poorest people on benefits through difficult times. From April, the Department for Work and Pensions will limit the number of crisis loans in a year to three and no longer provide cash for items such as cookers and beds. It will cut the amount of money available to claimants from 75% to 60% of the total benefits they can be paid.

Ministers say the system has become unaffordable and claim the loans are not being used by people to lift themselves out of trouble. Instead, people keep coming back for more cash. In the past year, 2.7m crisis loans were given, with more than 17,000 people receiving 10 or more such loans. The daily bill to the taxpayer for emergency credit is £1m.

Borrowers are expected to repay the loan only after their crisis is over, with the money being deducted from their weekly benefits at either 12%, 10% or 5% interest over two years.

Steve Webb, the minister for pensions, said: "It is clear that the system is acting as a sticking plaster that isn't addressing the real problems that people are facing. We need to ensure that crisis loan support is correctly targeted at those who need it most. That's why we've taken urgent action to protect the budget."

Charities said the government was attempting to cast the loans as "sticking plaster" rather than "a vital part of the welfare state" in an attempt to cut costs. The result, say campaigners, will be misery for poor families.

Alison Garnham, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, said she was shocked that ministers would "cut holes in the final layer of the safety net for families hit by a crisis".

She said: "Most worrying of all is the lack of any mention in the minister's statement of how the wellbeing of children will be protected when families are left in utter destitution by the removal of their right to a crisis loan."

Garnham said people often needed the loans because of delays in benefit payments. "Ministers have to accept more responsibility for the rise in crisis loan applications. It is under their instructions that people are told to apply for a crisis loan when delays happen to benefit claims," she said.

Many charities had feared cuts to cash loans would be made after ministerial sources briefed the tabloid press that the system was being abused by people using the money to pay for nights out. There were also claims that the money was never repaid.

Helen Dent, chief executive of Family Action, said: "Cracking down on crisis loans is another nail in the coffin of the welfare safety net for families in crisis. We know from our welfare grants scheme that cookers and beds are vital for women fleeing domestic violence or patients waiting in a hospital bed so that they can move to safe independent living."

£1.17m to redevelop Rhyl’s cinema and surrounding area

Filmgoers in Rhyl will soon enjoy 3D digital technology and more luxurious surroundings thanks to £1.17m of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s North Wales Coast Regeneration Area programme.


The money has been awarded to Denbighshire County Council to support the redevelopment of the Apollo Cinema and surrounding area of Rhyl Promenade, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM has announced.

Improvements at the 5 screen Apollo Cinema will include new seating and modernised, all 3D-enabled auditoria as well as upgraded digital technology. The public areas of the cinema will also be upgraded to include concession outlets and two new terraces will be created which will be open to the public.

The funding will also cover works to the promenade area which will include a refurbishing the public parking area outside the cinema and Skytower and enhancing the public realm. An entertainment plaza which will be used for a variety of events, such as open air cinema, live entertainment, a ‘Winter Wonderland’ Christmas festival, and community activities will also be created.

The Deputy Minister said:

“I am delighted to announce this funding for the Apollo Cinema in Rhyl and the surrounding area.

“This project is very important to Rhyl as it will provide a catalyst for investment and attract other businesses to West Rhyl, which is recognised as the most deprived area in Wales as well as securing the jobs of people currently employed at the cinema.

“The public areas around the cinema will also be improved, and will provide facilities for large scale events which will help to attract visitors to the town.”

Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration, Councillor David Thomas, said:

“This is excellent news for Rhyl as a whole and will greatly improve the visitor offer for tourists and residents alike. Regeneration is one of Denbighshire’s top priorities and the Authority has contributed £237,000 to the scheme which will play an integral role in regenerating the town.”

Rob Arthur, Managing Director, Apollo Cinemas, adds:

“This landmark partnership with the Welsh Assembly and local council will allow us to bring the cinema into the 21st century and offer the very best entertainment to the local community.

“We have always believed that to best serve Rhyl’s entertainment needs, it is key that we develop not only the cinema, but also the surrounding area. This redevelopment will enable us to build an unrivalled entertainment complex at the heart of Rhyl’s community.”

The cinema will close its doors on Sunday February 27th and the work, which is expected to take 18 weeks, will begin on Monday February 28th, with the cinema reopening in July 2011.


The money has been awarded to Denbighshire County Council to support the redevelopment of the Apollo Cinema and surrounding area of Rhyl Promenade, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM has announced.

Improvements at the 5 screen Apollo Cinema will include new seating and modernised, all 3D-enabled auditoria as well as upgraded digital technology. The public areas of the cinema will also be upgraded to include concession outlets and two new terraces will be created which will be open to the public.

The funding will also cover works to the promenade area which will include a refurbishing the public parking area outside the cinema and Skytower and enhancing the public realm. An entertainment plaza which will be used for a variety of events, such as open air cinema, live entertainment, a ‘Winter Wonderland’ Christmas festival, and community activities will also be created.

The Deputy Minister said:

“I am delighted to announce this funding for the Apollo Cinema in Rhyl and the surrounding area.

“This project is very important to Rhyl as it will provide a catalyst for investment and attract other businesses to West Rhyl, which is recognised as the most deprived area in Wales as well as securing the jobs of people currently employed at the cinema.

“The public areas around the cinema will also be improved, and will provide facilities for large scale events which will help to attract visitors to the town.”

Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration, Councillor David Thomas, said:

“This is excellent news for Rhyl as a whole and will greatly improve the visitor offer for tourists and residents alike. Regeneration is one of Denbighshire’s top priorities and the Authority has contributed £237,000 to the scheme which will play an integral role in regenerating the town.”

Rob Arthur, Managing Director, Apollo Cinemas, adds:

“This landmark partnership with the Welsh Assembly and local council will allow us to bring the cinema into the 21st century and offer the very best entertainment to the local community.

“We have always believed that to best serve Rhyl’s entertainment needs, it is key that we develop not only the cinema, but also the surrounding area. This redevelopment will enable us to build an unrivalled entertainment complex at the heart of Rhyl’s community.”

The cinema will close its doors on Sunday February 27th and the work, which is expected to take 18 weeks, will begin on Monday February 28th, with the cinema reopening in July 2011.

Looking to go into work or start your own business?

A project that supports women who are out of work, to gain the confidence and skills to help them into employment or set up their own business starts soon. Childcare and transport costs are funded, subject to criteria.
See flyer below:


MAES RHYL MARCH

17,000 children in North and Mid Wales in deep poverty

AROUND 17,000 children in North and mid Wales are living in the deepest poverty, a shocking study has found. Gwynedd and Denbighshire are worst hit in the region with a staggering 15% of children living below the poverty line.Severe poverty for youngsters is also high in Anglesey and Conwy, where 14% of families are too poor to give a decent childhood.
The study estimates 13% of children in Wrexham and 11% in Flintshire are affected.

Save the Children called on the Chancellor to draw up an emergency plan to in the next budget to channel new jobs into the poorest areas, as well as increase financial support for low-income families.

Andrew Chalinder, head of Save the Children in Wales said: "Children up and down the country are going to sleep at night in homes with no heating, without eating a proper meal and without proper school uniforms to put on in the morning.

“No child should be born without a chance. It is a scandal that so many children in Wales are growing up in severe poverty."

Families in severe poverty, added Mr Chalinder, are going without the things many take for granted such as separate bedrooms for older boys and girls, not being able to properly celebrate birthdays or special events and not being able to build friendships by having children round for tea.

At present, the UK government has no official way to measure how many children are caught up in severe child poverty.

Save the Children said they classes severe poverty as being a lone-parent family with one child aged under 14 living on an income of less than £7,000, or a couple with two children under 14 on less than £12,500.

The Welsh authority with the highest rate of severe child poverty is Blaenau Gwent, where the estimate is one in five children (20%).

Mr Chalinder added: "If the UK government is to fulfil its commitments on child poverty, it must find a way of counting these children in greatest need. At the moment, the needs of these children aren’t fully recognised. If these children are to have a future, we must acknowledge their desperate need and urgently target government help towards them.

“Here in Wales we welcome the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to end child poverty by 2020 through the launch of the Child Poverty Strategy.

“But we further urge the Assembly government, local authorities and public bodies to establish a severe child poverty focus as part of their local child poverty strategies. This will help ensure that policy benefits those children experiencing the most intense and severe poverty"

North Wales Ambassador Club

Whizz-Kidz is about giving disabled children and young people the independence to enjoy an active childhood – at home, at school and at play. We focus on each disabled child’s individual needs, taking into account their clinical, social, educational and developmental needs. Being independent and in control of when and where they want to go takes young disabled people from isolation to inclusion and gives them the chance to enjoy a more active childhood and realise their true potential.

The ethos of the Ambassador Clubs is ‘fun and friendship’ and they run from 10am to 3.30pm on Saturdays and during school holidays. Each day is based on a key theme such as healthy living, creativity or leadership. The programme is designed so that young people can learn key life skills, manage their own regional campaigns, play sports, develop wheelchair skills, take part in drama and music activities, whilst making new friends and having fun. All activities are free and we can also help families by providing reasonable travel expenses.

The project has been designed in consultation with our Ambassador Network. Most clubs are ‘parent free zones’, although we will encourage parents to attend the first club to learn about the activities on offer and to meet Whizz-Kidz staff, PAs and volunteers. All staff are CRB checked and all activities risk assessed prior to the commencement of each club.

Club activities are aimed at young disabled people with no or mild-moderate learning difficulties.

For young disabled people with severe learning difficulties we will offer support and advice, as well as signposting to other relevant organisations and the chance to attend other Whizz-Kidz events.

Whizz-Kidz has secured funding from BIG Lottery to run these clubs across the country over the next four years. The dates for the North Wales Ambassador Club for the next year are overleaf. We hope you will be able to help us promote this exciting opportunity to children and young people in your area.


Why would a young person join?

The Kidz Unlimited programme is designed so that young people can get the most out of being a member of their club. As well as learning new skills and making new friends, young people will have the opportunity to get a work placement, go on days out and even have a chance to attend an awards ceremony at the House of Commons in London!

When they attend for the first time they will receive an Ambassador Club welcome pack including a ruck sack, tee shirt, stickers, and loads of other goodies. All we ask for in return is that young people try and attend as many meetings as possible so they get the most from being an Ambassador. If they attend all eight meetings they will receive some gift vouchers and will automatically be entered into the grand prize draw for an iPod Touch!


Dates & Themes

4th April - Fun and friendship.

21st May - Future Leaderz.

2nd July - Campaigning Day.

13th August - You choose!

24th September - Going for Gold.

29th October - Go Team!

TBC - Healthy Living.


We want to make sure that as many young people as possible have the chance to be part of the Ambassador Network. We hope that you will be able to pass this information on to other colleagues working with children and young people.

If we can send you more leaflets, posters or application forms please email: ambassadors@whizz-kidz.org.uk or call us on 0800 151 3350.

Alternatively you can contact the Wales Ambassador Club Co-ordinator on 07919 066 085 or email z.quraishi@whizz.kidz.org.uk

More than 50,000 in North Wales targeted in welfare reform

MORE than 50,000 people in North Wales will be targeted in the most radical shake-up of the welfare system in 60 years.

David Cameron admitted the reforms would be painful, but promised to end the “insidious” benefit culture and slammed the current system.
The Prime Minister’s controversial measures will see benefits stripped from claimants who repeatedly turn down job offers and ensure people are only classed as disabled if they really cannot work.
Critics warned the blueprint will hit vulnerable families – and questioned how it could succeed at a time of rising unemployment in Wales.
The latest government figures show more than 56,000 people in North Wales on out-of-work benefits, including 11,810 in Wrexham, 11,320 in Flintshire and 9,550 in Conwy. There are 8,930 in Denbighshire, 8,660 in Gwynedd and 6,140 in Anglesey.
However Denbighshire has the highest proportion of the population aged between 16 and 64 on benefits, at 15.2%, followed by Anglesey (14.7%), Conwy (14.6%), Wrexham (13.8%), Flintshire (11.8%) and Gwynedd (11.7%).
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Making low-income working families thousands of pounds worse off through welfare cuts over the next two years to claim that they will be slightly better off in 2013 is an absurd argument that will ring hollow as families suffer the toughest income squeeze for nearly a century.”
But the Prime Minister said: “We're finally going to make work pay – especially for the poorest people in society."
The proposals include replacing nearly all existing benefits with a universal credit - designed to ensure people are always better off when they are employed, and close the loophole where some couples receive more living apart.
Those who refuse to take up job offers face losing their handouts for up to three years.
Mr Cameron also announced moves to tackle the UK's "sicknote culture".
But ministers ditched controversial proposals to cut housing benefit by 10% for anyone on jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months.
Mr Cameron said the reforms would slash £5.5 billion from the welfare bill in real terms over four years.
Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said thousands of Welsh households would be better off, and lift many of its poorest families out of poverty.
“Too many families in Wales are caught in the trap of benefit dependency,” she said.
“This is bad for the benefit recipients, bad for Welsh communities and bad for Wales.”
But Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane MP slammed the reform plans: “It’s a policy that doesn’t make sense at a time when the government is planning enormous job losses in the public sector, which employs 46% of people in the Vale of Clwyd and 45% in Clwyd West.”
Plaid Cymru spokesman Hywel Williams, Arfon MP, welcomed the U-turn on housing benefits, saying it was a “callous” proposal.
But he added: “While the ConDem coalition pushes ahead with slashing public sector jobs too, it cannot expect jobs to just magically appear.”
Lynne Evans, Head of Supported Housing for North Wales Housing Association, said: “Many of our residents work hard to try to get jobs and our staff work hard to support them to succeed. Lots of them give their time and efforts as volunteers, attend training programmes, and make great efforts to improve their job prospects.
“It would have been so unfair if they had lost housing benefit, and potentially lost their home, if they still had not got a job after 12 months trying.”
Business chiefs have welcomed the controversial proposals.
Regional director for the Welsh CBI David Rosser said: “We welcome the government’s plans to get people off benefits and into long-term employment, and to tackle long-term sickness.”
Rhyl City Strategy board chairman Barry Mellor gave a cautious welcome to the plans.
He said: “There is a small, hardcore minority who could work but don’t want to work and if these reforms get them into jobs I would support that. But, there are people who have been out of work, some for a long time but, need a bit of help and encouragement.”

Welfare Reform Bill: restoring the welfare system to make work pay

Launching the Welfare Reform Bill with the Prime Minister today, Iain Duncan Smith hailed what promises to be the biggest shake up of the system for 60 years.

Central to the Bill will be the introduction of Universal Credit, which will simplify a benefits system that has become unmanageable, make work pay and help release millions of people from the misery of welfare dependency and break intergenerational cycles of worklessness.

These changes will mean:

2.7 million households are better off.
Over 1 million households seeing an increase in their weekly income of £25 with 85 per cent of this increase going to the poorest families in the country.
Nearly 1 million people out of poverty including 350,000 children.
The Bill will radically reshape Britain’s welfare system for the next sixty years by:

sweeping away the patchwork of benefits and credits and replacing them with a Universal Credit to make work pay;
introducing a proper system of conditionality and make sure that unscrupulous individuals are not able to abuse or defraud the system;
a Personal Independence Payment for disabled people targeting support at those who really need it;
a new system of child support which puts the interest of the child first;
introducing new powers to tackle the problem of fraud and error.
From this summer Ministers will also bring in the biggest back to work programme since the war helping millions of people get into jobs. Delivered by private and voluntary sector organisations, the Work Programme will end the culture of a one size fits all approach.

Announcing the Bill Iain Duncan Smith said:

"The welfare system was created to meet the demand for a fairer society. Today, this Bill will seek to restore the welfare system to those founding principles."

"Our reforms will end the absurdity of a system where people too often get rewarded for doing the wrong thing, and those who strive to do the best by their families get penalised.

"The publication of the Welfare Reform Bill will put work, rather than hand-outs, at the heart of the welfare system. It will ensure that we continue to provide appropriate support for those genuinely unable to work, as we must and as we should. And it will provide a fair deal for the taxpayer."

Alongside the publication of the Bill, the Prime Minister and Secretary of State announced a review into the sickness absence system. With 300,000 people off work every year claiming sickness-related benefits, the Government has asked David Frost and Dame Carol Black to consider whether with the right help and support more people could stay in work in some form.

The Welfare Reform Bill will include:


Universal Credit, which will make more than two and a half million of the poorest people in Britain better off. At its heart, the Universal Credit has a simple ambition – to make work pay, especially for the poorest. This will finally make it easier for people to see they will be consistently and transparently better off for each hour they work and every pound they earn.

The Personal Independence Payment which will replace Disability Living Allowance with a new, more transparent and sustainable benefit fit for the 21st century. It will be supported by a new assessment which makes greater use of evidence, enabling us to more accurately and consistently assess individuals to determine who will benefit most from additional support.

By 2012 we will also have new powers to tackle the problem of fraud and error, which under the current system is highly susceptible – costing the taxpayer around £5.2bn a year. The new measures include, tougher one-strike, two-strike and three-strike rules, with a benefit ban of 3 years for people who offend repeatedly. A single investigation service and a new mobile regional taskforce will be set up to investigate each and every claim in high fraud areas, along with Civil Penalties - £50 for more minor offences.

With Housing Benefit expenditure spiralling out of control for over a decade, it’s absolutely vital that we take urgent steps to return fairness to the system to make sure that people on benefits make the same choices about the homes they rent as hard working families have to make.

It is not reasonable that households on out of work benefits should receive a greater income from the state than the average working household receives in wages. We will therefore introduce a cap, linked to average weekly earnings, which will limit the amount of benefits a household can receive.

The Welfare Reform Bill will time-limit contributory Employment Support Allowance to 12 months for those who are able to prepare for work. Those with low or no other sources of income would qualify for income-related Employment Support Allowance once their contributory ESA had ended. This underlines the principle that ESA claimants are expected to move towards the workplace and will reduce long-term inactivity or benefit dependency.

The bill is published at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmbills/154/11154.pdf

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmbills/154/en/11154en.pdf

Protection of Freedoms bill announcement

You may now be aware that the government has today unveiled its Protection of Freedoms Bill which aims to clarify the process of vetting for those who work with children and vulnerable adults.
The Bill seeks to scale back the vetting and barring scheme and criminal records regime to common-sense levels while ensuring vulnerable groups are appropriately protected and the proposals include:

• merging the CRB and ISA to form a streamlined new body providing a proportionate barring and criminal records checking service
• a large reduction in the number of positions requiring checks. Only those working closely and regularly with children and vulnerable adults will need them
• portability of criminal record checks between jobs to cut down on needless bureaucracy
• an end to a requirement for those working or volunteering with vulnerable groups to register with the VBS and then be continuously monitored
• stopping employers who knowingly request criminal records checks on individuals who are not entitled to them.

The press release is available at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/criminal-record-checks
To access the Protection of Freedoms Bill http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/protectionoffreedoms.html

Other relevant information:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/vetting-barring-scheme/
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/vbs-report
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/criminal-records-review-phase1/

Justice for All - Love Legal Aid

Justice for All is the campaign to ensure everyone is treated fairly under the law, no matter who they are, how much money they have or where they live. We believe free, independent advice and representation on legal matters is essential to achieve justice for all. We are a coalition of legal and advice agencies, politicians, trade unions, community groups and members of the public.

What we're about:

• We value justice for all because community legal and advice services help the most vulnerable in a community get treated fairly.
• We value justice for all because the right advice early on can save £10 for every £1 invested and keep families together in their homes, and in work and education.
• We want justice for all, yet demand for advice is outstripping supply.
• We want justice for all, yet it is becoming increasingly difficult to get expert advice and representation.

To achieve Justice for all:

•We need advisers to be free to advise on any problem, where and when they are needed.
•We need adequate levels of government spending on legal aid, but spent on services not on wasteful systems.


Contact us

Want to get in touch with Justice for All?
Email us at: campaign@justice-for-all.org.uk
Press enquiries e-mail: press@justice-for-all.org.uk

or call Justice for All's press spokespeople:
Citizens Advice - 020 7833 7078 (Press enquiries only)
Law Centres Federation - 0207 842 0736 (Press enquiries only)

Who am I contacting?

The Justice for All coordinated by a steering group comprised of founding members and representative organisations who believe in justice for all. The steering group shares responsibility for responding to all enquiries. For more information on the steering group, please email us.

Blue badge drivers face new medical tests

Disabled drivers face tough new medical tests before they can get Blue Badges for parking, in a Government clampdown on abuse of the scheme.
Around 2.5 million people currently pay councils in England and Wales for the badges, which allow free parking in pay-and-display bays, at meters and even on single- and double-yellow lines.

However, ministers estimate that around half of the users are not really entitled to the badges - and the fraud costs town halls millions of pounds a year in lost parking fees and fines.
Under the Government's plans, to be announced within days, councils will be given additional powers to impose checks on applicants similar to those undergone by people claiming disability benefits.
At the same time, ministers will announce an increase in the price of a badge from £2 to £10. The price rise for the badges, which last up to three years, is the first since 1983.
Source: The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/8320554/Blue-badge-drivers-face-new-medical-tests.html

Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales (CREW) - Events Notice

Community Housing Cymru, Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales (CREW) and Care and Repair Cymru have organised a series of local events in the election campaign period. The events are called Are You On-board and provide an opportunity to meet local candidates. Each event will examine national and local issues in housing, care and regeneration and explore some of the work being done locally and the current challenges faced. Each event will include 3 spokespeople and 3 tenants/service users who will give their perspective on the key issues in their local area. The event will end with a cross-party panel discussion with sitting AMs and prospective candidates.

The table below indicates the dates and places for each event and the person to contact to register attendance and receive further details. The events will provide an opportunity to engage with local candidates and discover more about these three key policy areas.

Newport
28th February - 9:30 – 12pm
Denise.Taylor@seren-group.co.uk

Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
28th February - 2:30 – 5pm
Kate.Bradbrook@monmouthshirehousing.co.uk

Cwmbran, Torfaen
1st March - 9:30 – 12pm
ben.black@bronafon.org.uk

Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent
1st March - 2:30 – 5pm
paula.skyrme@melinhomes.co.uk

Ystrad, Caerphilly
2nd March - 9:30 – 12pm
thughes@uwha.co.uk


Merthyr, Merthyr Tydfil
2nd March - 2:30 – 5pm
sjones@mtha.org.uk

Newtown, Powys
3rd March - 9:30 – 12pm
awilliams@mid-walesha.co.uk

Wrexham
3rd March - 2:30 – 5pm
Sarah.Manners@wwha.co.uk

Flint, Flintshire
4th March - 9:30 – 12pm
judith.gavin@pennaf.co.uk

Rhyl, Denbighshir
4th March - 2:30 – 5pm
ceri.evans@taiclwyd.com

Llanrwst, Conwy
7th March - 9:30 – 12pm
Sandra.Lee@cartreficonwy.org
 
Holyhead, Anglesey
7th March - 2:30 – 5pm
Linda@taieryri.co.uk

Caernarfon, Gwynedd
8th March - 9:30 – 12pm
gwenan.davies@ccgwynedd.org.uk

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
8th March - 2:30 – 5pm
elspeth.edwards@taiceredigion.org.uk

Haverfordwest, Pembrookshire
9th March - 9:30 – 12pm
donna.dennison@pembs-ha.co.uk

Carmarthen
9th March - 2:30 – 5pm
hilary.jones@bromyrddin.co.uk

Swansea
10th March - 9:30 – 12pm
Joanna.Margetts@gwalia.com

Neath, Port Talbot
10th March - 2:30 – 5pm
janet.gange@coastalhousing.co.uk

RCT, Pontypridd
11th March - 9:30 – 12pm
LouiseO@rcthomes.co.uk

Cefn Glas, Bridgend
11th March - 2:30 – 5pm
diane.slater@v2c.org.uk

Barry, Vale of Glamorgan
14th March - 9:30 – 12pm
mared.williams@newydd.co.uk

Cardiff
14th March - 2:30 – 5pm
s.reynolds@taffhousing.co.uk


Professor Dave Adamson, OBE
Chief Executive
Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales (CREW)
Ynysfach Engine House
Ynysfach Rd
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 1AG
Tel: 01685 389153 or 01685 385449
Mob: 07875 523 360
Email: dave.adamson@regenwales.org
Web: www.regenwales.org

STEP UP PROJECT OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

 

On Friday January 28th South West Rhyl Communities First, launched a new innovative mobile project.
“The Step up Project” has been developed by South West Rhyl Communities First and a variety of local partners to give residents in the area access to a doorstep service, helping them to gain access to relevant information on a wide range of services, activities, events and training. Information and services available will encourage residents to become actively involved in gaining skills, increasing their confidence, raising their aspirations and improve their chances of gaining meaningful employment in the future.
The Step up project is designed to encourage more people to take advantage of a doorstep extension of local services and actively engage people to participate in activities and events that will improve their lives, reduce poverty and provide them with opportunities to broaden their aspirations.
Research conducted by South West Rhyl Communities First identified a number of priorities for residents including the need to address service & public information are made more available within the local area.

Local resident Steffani Butler says: “People are not likely to visit somewhere that is out of their area whether it’s a mile away or four miles away. It makes sense to go to them.’”
Chris Ruane M.P for the Vale of Clwyd who along with Ann Jones Assembly member for the area who officially launched the project said ” “The step up bus will help take vital information on jobs, training, volunteering to individual streets in our communities. There are hundreds of local organisations which can transform lives of individuals, families and communities and this bus will help take this to the people.”

Referendum on the law-making powers of the National Assembly for Wales

3 March is your chance to have your say.


On 3 March 2011 there will be a referendum on the law-making powers of the National Assembly for Wales and Denbighshire's Counting Officer Mohammed Mehmet is urging voters in the County to be ready to have their say.

Voters that want to have their say in the referendum need to have registered to vote by Wednesday 16 February. The electoral register is updated annually and if your details have recently changed, for example if you have moved house, then you need to register with your new details if you want the opportunity to vote in the referendum on 3 March.
If you are a student, you can register at your home and term time addresses which ensures that you have a choice of where to vote on 3 March.

Mohammed Mehmet said: “Registering to vote is simple, quick and easy. You can go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk, print off a registration form and send it us. It only takes a few minutes to secure your vote for this important event, so make sure you do so now.”

“This is also a good time to consider where you will be on 3 March and if you would find it more convenient to vote by post or by proxy, where you ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. To do this, you will need to fill in a form, which is also available on www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
“The National Assembly for Wales is the democratically elected body that takes decisions and makes laws that affect you, so it is important that you take part in the referendum so that your voice is heard on its future”.
“The only way in which you can do this is by ensuring that you are registered to vote and that you do this by February 16.”
The Assembly has powers to make laws in 20 subject areas. In each subject area, the Assembly can make laws on some matters, but not on others. The referendum will ask voters whether the Assembly should now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for.
For more information contact your local electoral services department on 01824 706101 or visit http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

Time is running out to top up your Child Trust Fund!

To qualify for the £50 top-up in 2010/2011 your child must:

•Have been born between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005
•Already have a Child Trust Fund account
•Be living in Wales on 15 September 2010
To qualify for the £100 top-up you must also:
•Be claiming free school meals for your child
Or
•Be in receipt of Child Tax Credits in 2009-10 where your household income was not greater than £16,040
Or
•Be in receipt of Child Tax Credits in 2009-10 and also be claiming:
◦income support
◦income-based jobseeker's allowance
◦pension credit, or
◦employment and support allowance.
Applications must be returned by 31 January 2011.
If you have not received an information booklet and claim form, please contact 0800 496 0590 or email us at childtrustfundcymru@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

My life, My way!

My Life My Way

• Do you sometimes feel that time is passing you by?
• Do you feel you could do more?
• Would you like to have more control over your life?
• Would you like to have the confidence to just “go out and do it”?
• Would you like to find the new you?

If the answer to these questions is “YES” then you should come and join us at My Life, My Way!

Find out how you, like others, can change your lifestyle for the better!

The next series of My Life, My Way exchanges are absolutely free and anyone over the age of 50 is assured of a warm welcome.

Dates of Meetings

Thursday 24th February 2011 10 – Food & Drink

Thursday 10th March 2011 10 – Movement

Thursday 24th March 2011 10 – Home Safety

Thursday 14th April 2011 10 – Creativity & Growth - Henllan

Thursday 21st April 2011 10 - Social Networks

Thursday 12th May 2011 10 – Evaluation

All events will be held at Maes Emlyn, Rhyl

Transport will be provided for the workshop in Henllan

Please contact Vicky Hoban on 01824 706604 to book your place

Explaining the who,what,why,where,when of Census 2011

The census means different things to different people. Genealogists use previous census returns for researching family history. Academics use census population estimates for predicting trends, local authorities for planning policy, businesses for product development and store locations, and central government to help share out funding. It’s all about planning ahead. The census, a rich source of statistics, affects all of us in one way or another, as decisions about the communities we live in take place all the time. The census creates a population map that feeds those decisions.
Under the Census Act 1920, it is an offence to refuse to make a census return. There is lots of help available to complete the census. Prosecution is the last resort. The few who do not complete their questionnaire may be fined up to £1,000.
You need to take part so that the services and facilities your community / family uses can be identified. These services include schools, hospitals and emergency services
If you have access to the internet by March 2011 you will be able to complete the census online.
For more information go to http://www.census.gov.uk/