Transforming Towns programme to provide funding boost for towns and businesses across Wales.

 

Transforming Towns programme to provide funding boost for towns and businesses across Wales.   Speaking from his Morriston Office, local MS, Mike Hedges said… ‘I welcome this announcement as local shopping centres such as Morriston are vital components of our communities. We know that they are under pressure because of both city centre and out of town drive through outlets. We need to retain local shopping centres and promote them. I would urge everyone who has a business in a small shopping Centre to look at this funding to see if they are eligible. If people need assistance please contact my office.’ Welsh Labour's Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn has announced a £10m funding boost for town centres, under the £90m Transforming Towns programme, to support businesses and increase vibrancy and footfall in towns across Wales. The loan scheme will support local authorities to reduce the number of vacant, under-utilised and redundant sites and premises in town centres by providing interest free loans to redevelop or refurbish sites.  The properties will be redeveloped as shops, homes and leisure facilities, with loans being recycled up to three times over a 15 year period. Once repaid they can be used again to fund new loans and be re-invested in similar projects. As part of the Welsh Government’s overall investment of £41.6m previous successful projects include Tramshed in Cardiff, Tŷ Castell in Caernarfon and the Magistrates court in Newtown. The Tramshed in Grangetown Cardiff, which acts as a hub for other local businesses and has fully repaid it’s loan of £500,000, used the funding to create hundreds of jobs, accommodated 25 enterprises, created 7,500 sq ft of business space, supported over 40 community events annually, and increased footfall by 25,000 people per year. This funding is part of the Welsh Government’s total investment of £900m for regeneration projects alongside key partners. You can read more about this announcement here.

 

MIKE HEDGES MAKES 90 SECOND STATEMENT AT SENEDD CONGRATULATING THE WORK OF LOCAL AREA COORDINATORS IN SWANSEA TO SUPPORT PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

 

MIKE HEDGES MAKES 90 SECOND STATEMENT AT SENEDD CONGRATULATING THE WORK OF LOCAL AREA COORDINATORS IN SWANSEA TO SUPPORT PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

 

Speaking from his Morriston Office, Swansea East MS said… ‘ Since the Corona Virus crisis began, a lot of people have told me of the work the Local Area Coordinators have done in their area. I have been really impressed with the work that these LAC’s have done with the volunteers in their area. Saying thank you is not much of a response, but I thought that saying thank you in front of the Senedd and with it being broadcast live to the nation was a small way of acknowledging the fantastic work done by the Local Area Coordinators in Swansea. The work done by these people has often been small things like a phone call, but to many people, a phone call when they live on their own and may not be able to see their families has been a real life line. On other occasions, they have been able to support people who are in real difficulties and put them in touch with others who can support them. I hope the 90 second statement at the Senedd does show in a small way how valued their work is’

 

 

Thank you, Presiding Officer.173

Local area co-ordinators in Swansea are the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic, their mission to help anyone who needs support in the community they cover. Local area co-ordinators have responded to over 20,000 enquiries during the pandemic. When Swansea went into lockdown, the local area co-ordinator team was quickly expanded to cover every area of the city, with some council staff being temporarily re-deployed. Since then, they have helped co-ordinate the response in Swansea, with neighbours supporting neighbours to access food or shopping, pick up medication, or make a friendly phone call when they need it most. They have also helped connect older people with local gardeners, helped to get pets to the vets, helped to deal with incidents of fly-tipping, delivered free school meals, supported families in need of clothing and other essentials, and reached out to asylum-seeking families, offering support.174

Much of the response would not have been possible without the 2,500 people who came forward to offer neighbour-to-neighbour support, and many of these networks remain in place, including newly established community groups on Facebook and other social media. Throughout the pandemic, Swansea council have also worked side by side with Swansea Council for Voluntary Service and other partners, as well as community groups, and 9,000 people who were told to shield were provided with information about how they could continue to access help.175

I'm very proud to come from Swansea, and I would like to thank the local area co-ordinators and their army of local volunteers for what they've done to help our community.

Mike Hedges Welcomes news that Regular rapid COVID testing of frontline health and social care staff in Wales has been introduced.

 

Mike Hedges Welcomes news that Regular rapid COVID testing of frontline health and social care staff in Wales has been introduced.   Speaking from his Morriston Office, Local MS, Mike Hedges said… ‘ it has been clear since the start of the pandemic that mass testing was going to be an important tool in beating the virus. I welcome the news that mass testing is now being made available to front line Health and Social Care Staff. I would urge all people working in Health and Social Care to take advantage of these tests and help beat the virus!’ Welsh Labour's Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, has announced routine testing of asymptomatic frontline health and social care staff will start this month in Wales. Lateral flow tests (LFTs) will be made available to test frontline health and social care workers twice weekly. The new testing programme will be available for: Clinical NHS staff (doctors, nurses and allied health professionals) and those working with high-risk groups such as haematology staff working with transplant patients. Non-clinical staff including porters, cleaning staff, catering staff and volunteers. Social care workers, including domiciliary care workers, social workers and inspectors visiting care homes and other social care settings. You can read more about this announcement here.

Mike Hedges welcomes 'Know your employment rights and responsibilities' new campaign.

 

Mike Hedges welcomes 'Know your employment rights and responsibilities' new campaign.   Speaking from his Morriston Office, local MS Mike Hedges said… ‘All employees should be in a Trade Union; this is one of the truest statements I can make as a Senedd Member. So many of the things we take for granted in the work place – Health and Safety legislation, over time payments, paid holidays, all came about because of the work of Trade Unions. This is in addition to supporting workers in the work place to ensure that they have access to high quality advice when dealing with employment matters. The advice remains sound! I would urge all people to join a union at their work place. Hopefully they will never need the support of the Union, but it will always be there for them, join it, play your part and make it stronger!’ Against the backdrop of COVID-19, Welsh Labour's Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn has announced a new campaign to strengthen the knowledge and understanding of workplace rights and responsibilities.   The Welsh Government has teamed up with Social Partners, the Wales TUC, FSB, CBI, South Wales Chamber of Commerce and other key partners, Acas and Citizens Advice, to launch a campaign to increase awareness of the expert workforce support available for both workers and businesses. The campaign highlights the importance of employers, workers and trade unions collectively working together to make workplaces a better, safer and fairer place for all.  As well as directing workers and employers to specialist information and advice, workers are being encouraged to join a Trade Union as the best way to protect their rights at work. Employers meanwhile are urged to seek membership with a business representative organisation where professional advice and support can be sought. To find out more about the expert support available head to businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/workforce-rights-and-responsibilities. You can read more about this announcement here.

Mike Hedges welcomes news that BIFFA have withdrawn their appeal to have a waste incinerator in Llansamlet

 MIKE HEDGES MS AND LLANSAMLET COUNCILLORS WELCOME NEWS BIFFA HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR APPEAL AGAINST SWANSEA COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE REJECTION OF THE BIFFA APPLICATION FOR A WASTE INCINERATOR IN LLANSAMLET. 

 

Speaking on Tuesday, Mike Hedges said.. ‘This is marvellous news for Llansamlet and the people who have campaigned against the BIFFA application for a Waste incinerator in Llansamlet. 

 

 

This application would site an incinerator to burn over 20000 tons of commercial waste a year within 500 yards of Lon Las School and within 250 yards of a nature reserve. It was the wrong idea, at the wrong time and at the wrong location 

 

We are well aware of Air pollution problems along the M4 Corridor and this is within half a mile of the application site. Concern is growing about air pollution and the effect it has on health, especially young people and people with respiratory diseases. We need to be 100% sure that incinerators are not going to add to particulate pollution and at the moment, I believe we cannot have that degree of reassurance. 

 

I would like to congratulate the members of the local community who led the campaign against this application; their efforts have been richly rewarded.. I hope that other people campaigning against Incinerators across Wales will take heart from todays news and I wish them similar success’

 

 

Speaking after the announcement, Cllr Ryland Doyle said… ‘ this is a marvellous day for the local community. Everyone was delighted when the Council Planning Committee turned the application down, but we realised that the fight wasn’t over until they had exercised their right to appeal. Now that they have withdrawn the appeal, it appears that the threat of an incinerator close to houses, schools and Swansea Vale of nature reserve has been lifted. We are delighted!

 

Cllr Alyson Pugh  said… ‘this is a big day for our Community! We are delighted for all of the people who came together to leaflet, help get signatures on the petition and who turned up at the planning meeting. Perhaps the gentleman who wore a hazmat suit through the meeting feels it was worthwhile today! We are delighted that children will be able to grow up free from the threat of fumes and particulates in the air they breathe’ 

 

Cllr Penny Matthews said… ‘ it has been a long fight and we are delighted to have won! I know how worried the local community has been and they can rest easier tonight. I worked with local school  children in the campaign and this is their victory’

 

Cllr Mo Sykes said… ‘ We met people from Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan who are also fighting against an incinerator in their community and we were hugely touched by people who came to support us. I hope that our victory will give them heart and show these big companies can be beaten. I am sure that the Campaign in Llansamlet will continue to support these people in their fight… together we can ensure that incinerators are built away from homes and schools.’

Mike Hedges MS welcomes news that Better mental health for men and boys is top of mind on International Men’s Day

 Mike Hedges MS welcomes  news that Better mental health for men and boys is top of mind on International Men’s Day

 

Speaking from his Morriston Office, Local Swansea East MS said….   ‘ We have all been shocked over recent years when we have heard of men taking their own lives, and struggling with mental health issues. It is one of the great never talked about taboos – men were expected to keep quiet and cope. 

 

It is a really positive step forward that Men’s mental health is now up at the top of agendas. I have visited men’s Mental Health groups in Swansea East and seen the marvellous work they do.  

 

I urge men to speak to friends or get in touch with one of these support groups if they feel things getting on top of them. Please chat with someone – don’t suffer in silence!

International Men’s Day is celebrated in at least 60 countries around the world on 19 November, and aims to address wide issues relevant to men in a gender-inclusive way. Every year, it’s marked by more and more women, men and organisations across Wales and the UK.

In the UK, this year’s theme is ‘Better health for men and boys’.

International Men’s Day in the UK takes a gender-inclusive approach, and therefore believes in ensuring that issues affecting women and girls are also resolved. It recognises the intersection between gender and other factors, such as race and sexuality, which can compound the inequalities affecting men and boys.

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, said:

“International Men’s Day is an important opportunity to highlight the problems and issues which men continue to face, both here in Wales and around the globe. It gets people talking and supporting each other – and that is such an important step.

“We know some issues affect men and women differently. We know that mental health, loneliness and isolation are not solely issues for men, but we also know that men are often less likely to seek help when they need it.

“Gender stereotyping cannot and should not be ignored. It is an enduring issue which underpins so much of our lives, whether we realise it or not. From the day we are born, it can influence the clothes we wear; the toys we play with; the subjects we study; our personality traits, confidence levels, choice of hobbies and social activities; our role in the family, and our choice of career.”

Paul, a construction worker, said:

"I’ve worked in the construction industry for 40 years. It is hard, physical work against the clock, which takes its toll on your body, but it’s also lonely work, which takes its toll on your mind.

“Over the years, I’ve spent weeks and months at a time working away from home, with people I don’t know well. There’s a certain ‘macho’ image to uphold – you can’t just say to a male work-mate: “Hey, I’m feeling a bit down today.” It isn’t right, but I’d get laughed off site.

“As I get older, I’m also aware that I’m getting slower. Of course that’s a worry – if I can’t keep working, I won’t get paid, and can’t look after my family. Depression is a familiar part of my everyday life, and yes, I’ve thought about suicide.”

Men’s Sheds are one way Welsh Government has been supporting men like Paul.

Jane Hutt continued:

“The Sheds combine social activities with tackling serious issues, and get people talking and supporting each other.

“The success of the Men’s Sheds movement around the world shows just how effective this approach can be. It’s a simple idea which has the power to transform lives.

“We have also provided a grant of £47,000 to the DPJ Foundation – a rural mental health charity – to extend its existing 1-2-1 counselling into North Wales, ensuring the service is available right across Wales.

“We all need to be aware of the damage caused by mental health and wellbeing issues, and to tackle these issues to ensure that our future generations are not limited or harmed by them.

“Mental health and loneliness can affect us all - regardless of age, gender, status or location. If we don’t seek the help we need, the impact on our wellbeing can be devastating.”

The Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan, said:

“I recognise how difficult it is for people to talk about their mental health – particularly for men. We have set out a range of actions in our Together for Mental Health Delivery Plan and our suicide prevention strategy, Talk to Me Two, to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help for their mental wellbeing. 

“We are also supporting a number of programs focused on men’s mental health, such as the LetsTalkMensMentalhealth campaign on social media.  We have made a wide range of self-help resources available online or over the phone to encourage more people to access support.

“This year, more than ever, for today’s International Men’s Day let’s focus on ensuring all men are supported with their mental wellbeing.  Reach out and speak to your friends and family, and encourage others to do the same.”

ENDS

 

Notes to editors: 

Men have a suicide rate which is three times higher than women, while up to one in three men have reportedly been victims of domestic abuse.

Men in the UK are still dying four years sooner than women. On average; 12 men each day take their own lives; 90 per cent of rough sleepers are men; 95 per cent of the prison population is male; seven out of ten murder victims are male; girls are outperforming boys at every stage of education; women are a third more likely to go to university than men; young men account for 70 per cent of long-term youth unemployment; male graduates are 50 per cent more likely to be unemployed; men in their twenties are earning less than their female peers; 96 per cent of people who die at work are male.

Certain industries, like agriculture and construction, are predominantly male, and have much higher than average suicide rates. Both involve people working long hours, largely in isolation. These factors have a direct negative impact on the mental health of workers.

Building finishing trades, including plasterers, painters and decorators, had a suicide risk twice the national average, and the risk for low-skilled workers in process plant operations was 2.6 times higher. The agricultural sector also carried an elevated risk for men, more than 1.5 times above the average for both low-skilled and high-skilled workers.

 

Men’s Sheds

Men’s Sheds originated in Australia in the late 1990’s in order to overcome problems of isolation leading to declining health. Men’s Sheds have developed a strong social identity of support and friendship.

Hafan Cymru brought the concept to Wales to meet the challenges of loneliness, isolation and an ageing population.

Men’s Sheds are any community-based, non-profit, non-commercial organisation that is accessible to all men and whose primary activity is the provision of a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on projects at their own pace in their own time, and boost their own health and wellbeing, in the company of other men.

They represent safe and nurturing places within communities. The positive outcomes are numerous and include improvements in mental and physical health, reductions in loneliness and isolation, physically regenerated places in communities and improved community cohesion.

Men’s Sheds are the recipients of a grant funding worth £158,373 over three years from the Welsh Government to develop a pilot scheme addressing some of the mental health challenges facing men in Wales.

There are currently more than 50 Men’s Sheds at locations right across Wales.

 

Where to get help

• Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. Wales’ bilingual Live Fear Free helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 80 10 800 for anyone at risk of domestic abuse. The helpline had a 74% increase in contacts from men this July to September compared to April to June. https://gov.wales/live-fear-free

• Dyn Project provides support to heterosexual, gay, bisexual and trans men across Wales who are experiencing domestic abuse of any kind, and provides them with access to support services and safety. Every man has a right to feel safe.

Call the Dyn Wales Helpline for support and advice on 0808 801 0321 (currently open Monday to Friday 10am–4pm).

http://www.dynwales.org/

• Movember

https://uk.movember.com/

• Samaritans operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year, by calling 116 123. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
• Mind also offer mental health support between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. You can call them on 0300 123 3393 or text them on 86463. There is also lots of information available on their website.
• Campaign Against Living Miserably's (CALM) helpline and webchat are open from 5pm until midnight, 365 days a year. Call CALM on 0800 58 58 58 or chat to their trained helpline staff online. No matter who you are or what you're going through, it's free, anonymous and confidential. https://www.thecalmzone.net/
• 24/7 Construction Industry helpline - UK 0345 605 1956

 

Mike Hedges welcomes Extra £15.7m to increase contact tracing workforce in Wales

 

Mike Hedges welcomes Extra £15.7m to increase contact tracing workforce in Wales   Speaking from his Morriston office, Local MS Mike Hedges said… ‘this is good news for Contact Tracing in Wales. The Welsh system has proved to be far more successful that the English counterpart and this is because the work has been done locally by NHS and local council staff working together; none has been outsourced to private companies with no public health experience as in England.     People can sleep easier as a result of this announcement’ Welsh Labour's Health Minister, Vaughan Gething has announced an extra £15.7m to nearly double the contact tracing workforce in Wales for the winter. The funding will increase the number of contact tracing staff in Wales from 1,800 to 3,100 in time for an expected rise in demand in December and through to the end of March. A new all-Wales team is also being set-up to support local teams when they have a surge in cases. “Contact tracing is a vital element of our Test, Trace, Protect strategy to stop the spread of the virus,” Mr Gething said. “The contact tracing system in Wales has performed well so far, with over 90% of contacts being traced successfully since it started. You can read more about this announcement here.