Unemployment in Wales rises 10,000 to 8.4%

Unemployment in Wales has risen by 10,000, taking the total to 122,000, new figures show. The jobless rate is now 8.4%, which means Wales continues to have the highest percentage of the four UK nations, say Labour Market Statistics. The figures coincided with the closure of Newport department store TJ Hughes with the loss of 50 jobs.

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said the figures demonstrated an urgent need for growth. The rise is 0.7% between April and June, although the total is 5,000 lower than in the same period last year.

Claimant count has risen by 2,100 in the past month and now stands at 77,000. Across the UK, unemployment rose by 38,000 in the three months to June to 2.49m. The UK jobless rate is now 7.9%, in England it is 7.9%, Scotland 7.7% and Northern Ireland 7.3%.

 

Mrs Gillan said: "Today's statistics are disappointing for Wales. We are not complacent about the task ahead and have been dealing with an extremely choppy economic climate."

 

Meanwhile, a South Wales valleys-based insurance broker has announced the closure of seven of its branches, with the loss of 10 jobs. Motaquote will close offices in Cwmbran, Mountain Ash, Aberdare, Ebbw Vale, Neath, Treorchy and Risca due to a "loss in footfall". Five workers opted for voluntary redundancy and 30 were given new roles at the firm's head office in Williamstown, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

But five head office roles were lost in the restructuring of the company, which was set up in 1991 and is part of nationwide group Cullum Capital Ventures. Managing director Nigel Lombard said: "Unfortunately, due to the economic downturn it was no longer commercially viable to keep these branches open."

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said the figures across the UK were disappointing. Mr Grayling said: "Clearly this has been a difficult few months with a range of one-off factors and a slowdown in the world economy having an impact on the UK. This is why is we are focused on taking steps to increase growth, support the economy and encourage businesses to invest and create jobs."

Gold Standard for Rhyl City Strategy

Rhyl City Strategy has achieved the first Gold Small Workplace Health Award in Wales, for its work to maintain and improve the health and well-being of its staff.

 

The Small Workplace Health Award is funded and accredited by the Welsh Government, as part of its Healthy Working Wales programme to support improvements in the health of the working age population.

As the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell, explains:

"The Welsh Government launched the Small Workplace Health Award in 2009 to specifically engage businesses and organisations with less than 50 employees in our healthy workplaces initiatives. We are delighted to see the first employer progress to the prestigious Gold award and congratulate Rhyl City Strategy on their achievement."

Alongside developing health-promoting policies for staff, Rhyl City Strategy organised ‘lunch and learn’ sessions on healthy eating and alcohol awareness, a session on techniques for managing pressure and stress and a team-building adventure event in Betws-y-Coed. Staff members have each developed a set of personal health and well-being goals.

On achieving the Gold award, Jo Howes, Operational Manager for Rhyl City Strategy said:

"We are delighted with our success in achieving the Gold Small Workplace Health Award. The team have truly embraced the ethos around a healthy workplace and all of the benefits this has on our working lives. We are all very proud of the accomplishment and aim to keep the healthy workplace flag flying for all those small enterprises throughout Wales. The whole experience, from achieving the Bronze and Silver awards and now the Gold award, has made the team stronger and more determined to not only practice what we have learnt within the workplace, but also in our own personal lives at home and with our families. Rhyl City Strategy would like to thank all those who have supported us with this vision."

Rhyl City Strategy has been supported with its health and well-being work by Paula Jenkins, Workplace Health Advisor of Public Health Wales. As Paula highlights:

"Safeguarding and improving the physical and mental health and well-being of employees at Rhyl City Strategy is of utmost importance to the business. The positive culture within this organisation shines through as it is clear that staff have increased morale as they feel valued and motivated."

The independent assessor, Ava Fine, said:

"This is a well-deserved award. Rhyl City Strategy is an exemplar employer where the health and well-being of staff is firmly embedded in the organisation’s culture. It is proof that such an enlightened approach helps boost the morale of employees and produces a happy workplace. We commend their example to other SMEs across Wales."

Benefits boost for Denbighshire residents

Latest figures show how advisers in Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Advice Partnership have helped 2756 local people gain an extra £8.6m million in social security benefits and tax credits during the 12 months to April 2011. This brings the running total to £88.5 million over the past 15 years since the start of Denbighshire County Council.

Rick Abbas, Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Manager, said: “These results reflect the dedicated work of advisers in Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Advice Partnership: independent and quality marked services which include Denbighshire’s Citizens Advice Bureau, Rhyl Benefits Advice Shop and the Council’s Welfare Rights Team.

“This extra money is really good news for local people, the Council and the local economy when we are all living with the effects of the recession. Securing this extra income helps people to into work, manage on low wages, prevents and reduces poverty and helps with essential outgoings like Council Tax, rent and mortgage payments.

“More claims for benefits like Pension Guarantee Credit and Disability Benefits leads to a larger grant to the Council from the Welsh Government. These extra millions spent locally on goods and services will have stimulated demand and created many jobs.”

“Questionnaires returned from people who used the service showed how it improved their independence, health and reduced their need to see a doctor. This partnership is the first in the UK to track the number of children and adults it has lifted above Government poverty lines: 1057 in 12 months. Other Councils and advice partnerships across the UK are now following our lead.”

Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Inland Revenue figures show that an estimated £22m in benefit and tax credits are unclaimed or underpaid each year in Denbighshire alone. Help to claim this extra income will mitigate the effect of the UK Government’s Welfare Reforms which will result in and estimated loss of £57.5m in Denbighshire over 4 years.

Denbighshire residents who want independent advice or help with benefit and tax credit claims, disputes and appeals can contact the Council’s Welfare Rights Helpline on Freephone 0800 1696625 on weekdays between 10am and 4pm.

All calls are free and confidential. More information on Council funded advice can be found under Welfare Rights on the A to Z of the Denbighshire’s website: http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/

Building strong, responsible communities is a priority – First Minister

The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, has said that building strong and responsible communities has been and continues to be a priority for the Welsh Government.

He re-iterated the commitment following the Prime Minister’s announcement that he is ordering a review of every UK government policy following last week's riots in England, to make sure they are bold enough to tackle a 'moral collapse'.

The First Minister also called on the UK Government to re-think proposals to cut spending on police, and to reconsider plans to cut public sector jobs in Wales.

Mr Jones said the Welsh Government’s approach to tackling some of the most serious underlying issues facing Wales and its people illustrates the powers of devolution in taking action to improve public services and outcomes for children, families and communities in Wales.

The First Minister highlighted the Welsh Government’s innovative and unique programmes to support families, such as the Integrated Families Support Service, Families First and Flying Start programmes, which empower families to make the necessary lifestyle and other changes. Through these programme key professionals and agencies will intervene earlier and work intensely with families to effect positive change.  

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“While Wales is not immune to the social and economic problems faced by communities elsewhere in the UK, the Government I lead is already taking decisive action to tackle the underlying problems that many of Wales’s most disadvantaged and deprived communities suffer. These issues have always been at the top of our agenda.

“We are determined to doing all that we can to rebuild and regenerate Wales’s communities. Our Communities First programme has been instrumental in improving our communities for the better.

“Our newly-established Integrated Family Support Service is providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable families with drug and alcohol abuse issues to ensure families prioritise the welfare of their children and are supported to do so. IFSS should stabilise home life and help children and parents stay together where this is in the child’s best interests."

The First Minister added:

“What hurts Welsh families the most is the scourge of unemployment. As a government, we are determined to do all that we can to get people into work, and trying to keep people in their jobs. However, the UK Government’s decision to cut public sector jobs in Wales severely undermines our efforts.

"In stark contrast to the UK Government which has ended their Future Jobs Fund, we are committed to improving the opportunities for young people who are not in education, employment or training in Wales. In April 2012, the Welsh Government will introduce a Welsh jobs fund. It will create 4,000 jobs for unemployed young people aged 16-24 across Wales for a 6 month period. We are also creating more apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Wales. We have announced new arrangements to take forward our Apprenticeships and Traineeships programmes, which will focus more closely on our priorities to provide more opportunities for young people and deliver the skilled employees our economy needs.

“Cuts to police numbers will hurt our communities. A report published this morning by Cardiff University shows that UK Government grant funding for local policing will fall by £1.36 billion, or 14%, over the next four years – meaning 16,000 frontline posts could be lost. What the people of Wales want to see is more, not fewer police out on the street keeping our communities safe.

“While policing is not devolved, we are determined to do what we can to make our communities safer. That’s why we’re committed to introducing 500 additional police community support officers over the next five years. But they will not be there to replace frontline police officers - they’ll be there to support them.

“The UK Government needs to be bold, and accept that they now need to re-think their decision to cut the policing budget.”

Rhyl's Fit For Work Service helps 153 back to work!

A pilot project to help people in deprived areas back to work after sickness claims to have helped around half who joined to keep their job.

The Fit For Work Service was launched in Rhyl, Denbighshire, in May 2010, and has helped 153 people back to work with 125 (82%) remaining in those jobs. It is the only such project in Wales, although 10 others were also launched in England and Scotland. The north Wales scheme has now expanded and had funding extended for two years.

The project sees people assessed and offered treatments or physiotherapy, as well as advice.

It was initially a year-long pilot, and manager Bridgette Handley said more than 500 people had been referred to the service by GPs and local employers, all seeking help to return to work while in the early stages of sickness absence.

It aims to get them back to work as soon as possible and keep them in work, "so reducing the risk of job loss and the need to claim benefits". She added: "Of the 500-plus referrals, we have registered 318 on to the service.

Psychological counselling

"Some referrals have been ineligible, either due to the nature of their illness being more chronic/long term or the individual being unemployed."

Of the 318 people registered, 153 have completed the course and 125 have remained in work.

Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, (DWP), the pilot was originally intended to help people living or working in Rhyl, Abergele and Colwyn Bay, and it has now extended to Prestatyn, St Asaph and Kinmel Bay.

The service works by appointing a case manager to assess clients, and, if appropriate, the client can be referred for treatments including physiotherapy and psychological counselling.

The service can also help provide information on issues such as debt, housing, drug, alcohol or relationship advice.

Ms Handley said: "Ours has been a very successful pilot, and DWP has extended our funding by a further two years. We were one of only seven of the original 11 pilots that have received further funding from DWP."

The UK minister for welfare reform, Lord Freud, said too many people, through no fault of their own, have fallen out of work due to sickness absence.

"The Fit for Work Service has played a vital role in helping people stay in work or return more quickly than they otherwise would have done." He said as well as benefiting workers, employers and the taxpayer, it helped reduce pressure on GPs and other health services.

Rhyl exhibition ‘helps us to be healthier’

An exhibition will open next week showing different approaches to looking at health and wellbeing through the arts.

Many of the artists have enjoyed arts workshops over the last few months. Their exhibits will appear alongside work by professional ceramics, textiles and mixed media work artists.

The show has been set up with the aid of a grant from the Arts Council of Wales. Denbighshire Arts Service had worked with South West Rhyl Communities First, Count Me In and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to run the recent workshops. The main aim was to improve participants’ wellbeing.

The exhibition has three parts. One is called Held with a selection of work from a touring exhibition created by Start at Manchester Mental Health & Social Care Trust. Another is by Alison Mercer Textiles with results from local workshops. A third section is by Sue King Ceramics, alongside results from recent workshops.

A spokesman said: “The exhibition is about how we manage the tensions of living and draw on our inner strength to fulfil our hopes and dreams. The ‘Held’ section is an exhibition about keeping a balance in life, about managing stress and building fulfilment.”

The Arts In Health and Wellbeing exhibition runs at Rhyl Library Arts Centre, Church Street, Rhyl from August 20 until October 8.

Ladder of Life Information Days

Ladder of Life is an individual coaching and Personal Development Programme available to develop and maintain your confidence and self-esteem. We will be holding FREE accredited courses, short courses and fun activities in the following areas:

• Arts and Crafts
• Sports Development
• Sewing
• Catering
• Digital Photography
• Woodwork
• Office Administration

Find out more information by dropping in to one of the information days:

• St. Mary’s Church, Wellington Road. Thursday 18th August, 11:00am—2:30 pm

• Rhyl Library. Monday 22nd August, 10:30am—3:00 pm

• South West Rhyl Communities First. Thursday 25th August, 11:30am—3:00pm

• Botanical Gardens. Friday 9th September, 10:30am —3:00pm

Free food, free advice and free raffle at each of the information days.

Need information? Want advice? Wish you had support? Contact Meic

Meic is a new helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. From finding out what's going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen when no-one else will. They will give you quality information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change.

Contact them in Welsh or English – it’s up to you! They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can contact them by phone, email, SMS text and instant messaging. Meic is confidential, anonymous, free, and just for you.

Phone: 080880 23456

Text: 84001

Online: http://www.meiccymru.org/

SWRCF Lunch Clubs

This month South West Rhyl Communities First are holding Lunch Clubs for people in the local community. They will take place at John Davies Community Facility, 82 Marsh Road, Rhyl (opposite Good news Mission) from 12pm until 2pm.

Dates of future lunches: 11th August & 25th August.

Admission: £3.00 per adult, to include 1 main meal, a cup of tea/coffee, a raffle ticket and a small food hamper (hampers are on a 1st come 1st served basis).

Kids eat free – up to 2 children under 14, with a paying adult. £1 for extra children.

Menu

Adult menu: Sandwich & salad, OR choice of hot meal (varies each week), OR cheese & bacon toastie with salad. With a choice of tea or coffee.

Kids smiley meal for children under 14: meal consists of sandwich, drink, crisps OR yogurt OR a piece of fruit.

For more information please call 01745 332528.

Communities First Trust Fund

Just to remind you that there are only 16 weeks left for eligible groups to submit an application to the Communities First Trust Fund.

To date we’ve received over 470 applications which is a great uptake – but to date 234 + of these have been returned to groups for information that is missing/ End of Project Report not completed for previous grants etc.

However, because they have been returned early in the process it means that these groups do have time to resubmit their application within ample time before the deadline.

Therefore I would urge to you encourage as many groups as possible to do the same and submit an applications as soon as possible so that funding allocated to your ward / area is spent and not returned to Welsh Government at the end of the year. The later you leave it the less chance we have of sorting any problems!

Can you also make sure that the groups read and understand the CFTF guidelines themselves when submitting an application  - We’ve had some incidents recently where groups are blaming Co-ordinators for mistakes they are making when not spending / accounting for the grant award properly. They have stated that they were not made aware of any guidelines when they were told to fill in applications.

Finally – if you want a member of the CFTF to visit your area / assist with groups submitting an application, please do not hesitate to contact us – 0800 587 8898.

Home Fire Safety Survey - South West Rhyl & West Rhyl

Most fires in homes in Wales are accidental. Because they are accidental, things can be done to help stop them from happening. And if you do have a fire in your home, having working smoke alarms and a planned escape route can help you and your family to escape without harm.

Some areas of Rhyl have many more of these accidental house fires, compared to other areas in North Wales. The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service work to protect communities before emergencies occur and they are keen to see this situation improve for the people of Rhyl.

Wards	Unitary Authority Area	Accidental House Fires	Injuries
West Rhyl	Denbighshire	114	32
Glyn	Conwy	50	24
South West Rhyl	Denbighshire	48	9
Rhiw	Conwy	42	17
Tudno	Conwy	39	13
Hermitage	Wrexham	35	6
Llandrillo yn Rhos	Conwy	34	15
New Broughton	Wrexham	34	5
Queensway	Wrexham	33	12

(The table above shows the 9 highest wards in the region for accidental house fires during the period 2001 - 2007).

Why is this survey being done?

The survey is being done as part of a project to improve home fire safety in South West Rhyl and West Rhyl. We are looking to get the views of people who live in these areas, to understand more about what needs to be done.

Who is doing the research?

This research is being carried out by Firebrake Wales, the Welsh fire safety charity, along with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Communities First

Who is the survey for?

This survey is being carried out in Rhyl and we are keen to get the views of people living in the areas of West Rhyl and South West Rhyl.

About the Survey itself

• All answers you provide will be strictly confidential
• There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers – we are interested in your views
• We do not ask for your name or your address
• Taking part in the survey is of course completely voluntary
  

We really appreciate you taking time to complete the survey. Your feedback is important and will help inform the project to improve fire safety in your community.

Rhyl Football Club In The Community Courses

Rhyl Football Club In The Community have the following courses available to book, each course costs £50 per person (price includes tea and coffee).

Emergency First Aid at Work

Available dates -   Friday 19th August 2011

                              Friday 18th November 2011

                              Friday 24th February 2012

                              Friday 25th May 2012

                              Friday 17th August 2012

CIEH Level 1 Health & Safety in the Workplace

Available dates -   Friday 23rd September 2011

                              Friday 20th January 2012

                              Friday 20th April 2012

                              Friday 20th July 2012

CIEH Level 1 Food Safety Awareness

Available dates -   Friday 21st October 2011

                              Friday 16th December 2011

                              Friday 16th March 2012

                              Friday 22nd June 2012

All courses start at 9am and finish at 4pm.

Venue - Rhyl Football Club, Belle Vue, Grange Road, Rhyl, LL18 4BY.

Zumba Fitness with Roxy

Fun Classes and a Great Atmosphere to suit all fitness levels.

 

Classes £4 per session.

 

Monday - Ysgol Cynfran, Dolwen Road, Llysfaen. 6pm - 7pm, 7pm - 8pm.

Tuesday - Craig-Y-Don, Community Centre, Queens Road. 6pm - 7pm, 7pm - 8pm.

Wednesday - Village Hall, Llysfaen (Starting 7^th September). 6pm - 7pm.

Thursday - Llanfairfechan Sailing Club, Promenade. 7pm 8pm.

For further details please contact Roxy on 07743827962

Work Programme provides tailored support as latest figures show people are being found fit for work

New statistics published by DWP today show that over a third (39 per cent) of those who claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are assessed as fit for work. The figures also show that a further 17 per cent can do some work with the right help and support.

People who are found fit for work will now be supported through the new Work Programme, which rolled out across Britain last month. The Work Programme provides tailored support for people to get into sustained employment. People who are found too sick or disabled will continue to receive unconditional support and a higher rate of benefit.

DWP Minister Steve Webb said:

"These figures show that many people are able to work with the right help. We have strengthened the support now available tailoring it to individual needs so they can overcome whatever barriers they face.

"Those who cannot work will always receive our unconditional support but for those who can work it’s right that they get the help they need to get into employment.

"We are continuously improving the medical test to ensure that it is as fair and effective as possible."

The Work Capability Assessment (WCA), which determines whether someone is fit for work, has been substantially improved – the majority of Professor Harrington’s recommendations are now in place. Changes have been made including making improvements to the decision making process. A second Independent Review of the WCA is now underway and will be published before the end of the year.

For all new ESA claims from 27th October 2008 to 30th November 2010, the result of the initial WCA is as follows

• Support Group – 7%
• Work Related Activity Group – 17%
• Fit for Work – 39%
• Claim closed before assessment complete – 36%
• Assessment still in progress – 1%

Delivering the Work Programme private and voluntary sector organisations are investing £581m upfront in the biggest welfare to work programme this country has ever seen to provide tailored support built around the needs of individuals. Organisations will be paid by results and allowed to develop support that really addresses the needs of jobseekers.

The full Employment and Support Allowance: Work Capability Assessments statistics are available here: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca

£15 million to unlock the 'Potential' of young people in North Wales

More than 4,000 young people across North West Wales who are at risk of falling out of school or further education are set to benefit from a new £15 million scheme to improve their chances of success, First Minister Carwyn Jones announced today.

 

The Potensial (Welsh for Potential) initiative will target 11-16 year olds who are facing difficulties such as under achievement or absenteeism. It will help target 16-19 year olds who are already in college but are at risk of dropping out.

Backed with almost £9 million from the Convergence European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, the scheme is being led by Gwynedd Council in collaboration with Anglesey, Denbighshire and Conwy councils along with Coleg Menai, Coleg Llandrillo and Careers Wales.

Aimed at reducing the number of young people becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), Potensial will provide alternative curriculums and innovative training to motivate students who are experiencing problems learning.

Tailored to the needs of each individual, a range of techniques will be used such as vocational training, one-to-one intensive support and activities to raise self-esteem to encourage them to remain in education and improve their skills.

The project will also provide specialist support for young people with disabilities or who are in care as well as young carers to help them achieve their full learning potential.

Denbighshire Hydro Power Event

Denbighshire Hydro Club - Cadwyn Clwyd

Venue: Ruthin, Llanfwrog Community Centre 

Friday 15^th July 2011

Registrations and Tea and Coffee - 9:30 – 9.55 am

Welcome and Introductions

Silas Jones, Cadwyn Clwyd - 9.55 – 10:15 am

A summary of Denbighshire’s Hydro Power Potential

Simon Taylor,

Renewable Design Consultants (RDC) - 10:15 – 10:45 am

Hydro Power and Abstraction Licences - an Environment Agency Perspective

Jacques Sisson, Environment Agency TBC - 10:45 – 11:15 am

A summary of the Hydro Club member schemes

Simon Taylor, RDC - 11:15 am – 12:00 pm

LUNCH BREAK 12:00 – 12.45pm

(A buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided)

Informal Session - 12:45 – 14:00pm

This gives you the chance to ask any questions of the experts available on the day.

Money health check

Whatever the situation with your finances, it’s good to know where you stand and that you are making the most of what you have. The health check, a new online money planner from the Money Advice Service, is for everyone.

The Money Advice Service is independent and it’s here to help everyone understand and manage their money better.
It takes just 10 minutes to answer some straightforward questions and the health check will give you a personalised action plan which identifies the top three things you can do to make the most of your money right now, and to plan for future goals.
Best of all - it’s free and it’s unbiased. The Money Advice Service won’t recommend a particular product or provider or try to sell you anything.
Click here to take the health check now. https://healthcheck.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/?

BTCV Engagement Gateway Project – Lone Parents

This FREE course is aimed at lone parents who are looking for a career in the outdoors, want to learn more about conservation, gain accredited training, or simply gain confidence and improve their health and fitness. We are offering a 5 week course where participants will take part in horticulture and environmental activities in a friendly, sociable setting. The course will also include Skill Build sessions, with help and support into further learning and employment.

Over the 5 weeks participants will:

1. Gain practical environmental and horticulture skills, including environmental art, willow weaving, allotment activities, habitat creation, healthy eating, etc, in various sites around Denbighshire.
2. Improve health, fitness and confidence, meeting new people in a relaxed and friendly environment.
3. Work towards accredited training.
4. Improve job search skills, including CV writing, applications and interview techniques.
5. Receive access to further volunteering opportunities, career advice and training in the local area.

Applicants must be:
- A single parent – living alone with primary responsibility for a child.
- Aged 16 and above.
- Unemployed or economically inactive.
- Reside in Denbighshire.

For more information please contact Alex Fairclough at BTCV on 01978 261538 or email a.fairclough@btcv.org.uk.

North Hoyle Off Shore Wind Farm

Operated by RWE npower Renewables Limited and Rhyl Community Partnership, Prestatyn and Meliden Community Partnerships Community Fund.

• Is your group in need of a grant?
• Are you based (or deliver a service) in Rhyl or Prestatyn and Meliden?
• Is your group a formally constituted body?

If you have answered yes to the above questions why not apply to the Rhyl or the Prestatyn and Meliden Community Partnerships, who are distributing a total of £45,000 for Rhyl and £30,000 for Prestatyn and Meliden on behalf of the North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund owned and operated by RWE npower renewables.

If your group has a project which will make a lasting difference to the community and you want an application pack, please call in and pick one up:

For: Rhyl Community Partnership, c/o The Clwyd Coast Credit Union, 17-19 Bodfor Street, Rhyl, LL18 1AS.

or

For: Prestatyn and Meliden Community Partnership, c/o First Class Clothes, 12 High Street, Prestatyn, LL19 9BB or the Pop In, Meliden Road, Prestatyn, LL19 9RT.

Or email: rhylcommunitypartnership@yahoo.co.uk

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS is 31st August 2011 and should be returned to:

For: Rhyl Community Partnership, c/o Tynewydd Community Centre, Tynewydd Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3RD.

For: Prestatyn Community Partnership, Pop In, Meliden Road, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9RT.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM TO CLWYD COAST CREDIT UNION OR FIRST CLASS CLOTHES.

Flintshire Care & Repair Vacancy

Senior Administrator
Temporary 6 month contract (initially)
Salary: £16,355

Flintshire Care & Repair require a Senior Administrator for a developing and busy office that provides services to older people and younger disabled adults. The contract will be for 6 months with the potential of a long term contract. The post holder will be expected to oversee a team of administrators whilst providing administrative and finance support. This is a varied position within a fast pace and developing Agency where we are committed to providing a quality service. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity please contact, Laura Bennett on 01352 758700 or by email laura.bennett@flintshirecr.co.uk. Application forms are available by email or by phone at sharon.harrold@flintshirecr.co.uk or 01352 758700.

£100,000 boost for North Wales coast communities

Community projects along the North Wales coast are benefiting from over £100,000 of funding as a result of the latest grants from the North Wales Coast Community Fund, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis announced
The Community Fund is available for projects in the regeneration area which covers the coast from Mochdre to Prestatyn. The fund amounts to over £1m over the next three years and is the result of a unique partnership between RWE npower renewables (RWE NRL) and the Welsh Government, which offers local groups easy ‘one stop’ access to the fund.

The RWE NRL element of the fund is specifically available to communities between Mochdre to Kinmel Bay as a direct result of the operation of Rhyl Flats Windfarm and is managed by the Welsh Government.
Projects benefiting from this round of funding are:

AFASIC Cymru (All Families Affected by Speech Impaired Children). The group has applied for support for a youth project which helps 11 – 19 year olds with a speech, language and communication need so they can take part in social activities. £2,942 and £7,980 from Rhyl Flats Fund.

Colwyn Bay FC Football in the Community – This not for profit company provides healthy lifestyle courses, afterschool clubs and support employment programmes through the motivational power of football. Since September 2009 they have involved 75 adults and 912 children in their activities. Funding will go towards the purchase of their own portacabins and two computers. £17,024

Colwyn Bay Town Council - The funding will go towards a Participatory Budget scheme which will allow residents to make decisions about funding for their community. £20,000 and £10,000 from Rhyl Flats Fund.

Abergele Youth Action – The group, which has worked with young people since 2001, would like to improve its facilities by providing additional training rooms, an office, community music studio and fully equipped IT training suite. £20,000.

The Benefits Advice Shop – This registered charity has provided a specialist welfare benefit advice and advocacy services for 20 years. It now plans to provide an outreach service to Kinmel Bay, Abergele and Mochdre. £26,100 from the Rhyl Flats Fund.

Huw Lewis said:
“All of the projects which are benefiting from this funding today are providing an important service for their communities and have a positive impact on the area. What makes the Community Fund special is that it is local people who decide where the funding should go. Local people are at the heart of decision-making.
“The Regeneration Area is about working with the communities who are in the area, and know what that area needs. I look forward to seeing the impact this fund has on the coastal area, and I look forward to seeing how these projects develop.”

Kathryn Hall, Community Investment Officer for RWE npower renewables, which built and now operates Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm, said:
“We’re delighted that through the operation of our Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm, and our partnership with the Welsh Government, we’re able to help local communities bring such vital and important projects to life.“These latest awards demonstrate our continuing commitment to supporting the local communities in which we work and operate, and in a way that really works for them. We’re also very pleased to see the level of local engagement in taking up the opportunities available through this fund, and the success of the single application process.”

Access Denbighshire County Council services now on your TV, Mobile, Wii or PC

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Money issues -cccs is here to help

If you’re worried about debt, The Consumer Credit Counselling Service Debt Remedy will help you find the best solution. The service is completely free, you don’t have to provide your name and all the advice you receive will be based on your situation. Once you have completed your CCCS Debt Remedy we will provide you with:

Tailored advice from our expert debt counsellors
A personal budget showing your income and outgoings
Practical help to make the most of your money
All you need to do is answer a series of questions about your household, income and outgoings. To do this go online at https://debtremedy.cccs.co.uk/start.aspx

Home Start Fund-raising Evening

Home Start are holding a fund-raising evening on Friday 24th June 2011 at Brookhouse Mill Marquee, Denbigh. The event will take place from 7.30pm- 11pm.

Join us for an evening celebrating our work in Denbighshire for the last 10 years

Hog Roast, Jazz Band, Auction of Promises, Sale of Hats and Handbags- new and gently used!

Tickets £15- includes food and entertainment.

For more information or to book your ticket, please call 01745 814819.

Denbighshire County Council using art to promote good health

A COUNCIL and a community group have joined force to use the arts as a way of promoting health and well-being.Denbighshire County Council’s community Arts Service and South West Rhyl Communities First have signed up artist Alison Mercer, who's work challenges and explores the diversity of parental relationships.She has been working with a variety of groups in Rhyl, the Bookstart Parent and Baby and Parent and Toddler groups.With Alison’s help, the Bookstart group members have been busy creating small keepsake quilts, altered babygrows and fabric books. They have also been using safe inks to make prints of their children’s feet and letter stamps to personalise their quilts, along with techniques such as embroidery and stitch.All parents and children who took part in the scheme will return to a workshop with the artist at Rhyl Library today.All of the artwork produced during the workshops will form part of the Arts in Health and Well-being exhibition being held at Rhyl Library Gallery from August until October 2011, alongside Alison's own pre-selected artwork.Community arts development officer Sian Fitzgerald, said: “The work will look amazing and the project is a fantastic opportunity to prove that textile arts and skills can create unique benefits for all participants, whatever their age and ability."

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."