Skates urges support for Llan food bank

Clwyd South assembly member Ken Skates is urging members of the public and local businesses to help a charity project which feeds a community’s most vulnerable people.

Mr Skates first visited Matt’s Food Bank at City Church in Llangollen in August to see how the team of volunteers provides support to those in crisis by handing out emergency supplies and offering free hot meals.

 

Pastor Brian Smith, one of the co-founders who opened the food bank a year ago, said certain items such as tinned meat and vegetables, cereals and sugar are often in short supply. The church building is also in need of repairs after the recent heavy rain.

 

Mr Skates said: “It’s a sad sign of the times that there is even a need for projects like this, but the food bank is a fantastic organisation run by dedicated volunteers who give up their time to help people struggling to make ends meet.

 

“Food poverty is rising under the Tory-led UK Government, and charitable schemes like this are having to help more and more. The volunteers at Matt’s Food Bank do an amazing job, but they need help. I would encourage members of the public to donate what they can – either food or money – to help the project continue its vital work.

 

“There is a drop-off point at the Llangollen Co-op where you can donate tins, packets and other non-perishable food, and I would love to see local businesses get involved too by donating whatever they can afford and making a real difference to people’s lives.”

 

Food bank clients are given vouchers by doctors, district nurses, schools, the Citizens Advice Bureau and other welfare agencies which can be redeemed at the church on Mondays and Fridays. The volunteers also run Matt’s Community Bite, which offers a home-cooked meal and company every Monday and Friday from noon-2pm.

 

The food bank was named in honour of the late Matt Price, the former manager of St Collen’s Community Hall in Llangollen, and officially opened in October 2012. It serves most of the Dee Valley from Corwen to Cefn Mawr.

 

If you can help, call Brian on 07957 728473.

Warning follows theft of garden furniture

The local Neighbourhood watch team has put out the following message:

"We would like to bring to your attention a recent theft of garden furniture occurring within your local area.

"The Items taken included a cast iron table and chairs.

"It is important that we all protect our property during the winter months. If you do leave items in the garden you should be identifying issues such as visibility of item(s) to the public, ease of access and amount of time the property is unsupervised.

"Crime prevention measures acts like a great deterrent to thieves. This can be applied in many ways by closing/locking garden gates, good light sensors, keeping valuable items out of the public eye, posters or stickers that a dog resides at the address or installing a CCTV system.

"If you feel like you could use further target hardening advice regarding this matter then visit our website www.north-wales.police.uk or attend your local Police Station to make an appointment with a local Officer. Any reports of similar incidents should be reported to the Force Non-Emergency Line; either 101 or 0300 330 0101 if outside the district."

County honoured for its apprenticeship scheme

Denbighshire County Council has had its efforts to provide apprenticeships to young people across the county recognised at a prestigious national award ceremony.

The council was shortlisted as a finalist in the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award  (Large Employer category) at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013 ceremony in Newport.  

Denbighshire was one of only two public sector organisations to be shortlisted - all the other shortlisted organisations were from the private sector.

Over the past five years the council has recruited 131 apprentices and currently has 38 of them working in a range of environments, including welding, business administration, housing, catering, creative digital media and information communication technology.

Sally Ellis, Corporate Director -Modernisation and Well-being, said: "The Corporate Apprenticeship scheme was introduced in 2011 as one of the ways to address concerns of the low number of employees aged 16-24. It was becoming increasingly apparent to the Council that there would be significant problems in the future with an ageing workforce reaching the retirement age.

"The council has also been keen to offer opportunities to young people from the local communities.

"This scheme has allowed apprentices to complete a qualification in their chosen field during their apprenticeship. This has provided a wide range of experiences for apprentices, and plenty of training and mentoring opportunities.  

"Many of our apprentices have gone on to develop their careers and we feel this kind of programme is essential as a step on the career ladder and getting people valuable work experience that will be recognised by future employers."

To find out more about becoming an apprentice, visit: www.denbighshire.gov.uk 

Council told to slash CCTV budget

Denbighshire County Council has been told to cut its CCTC budget by a third, according to the BBC.

See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-24655020

Ambulance Service launches pioneering learning programme

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has launched a pioneering learning programme that helps people with learning disabilities to discover more about the health service.

The ‘Beginners Guide to the Health Service’ on the Trust’s website includes easy-read booklets, discussion topics and interactive games and quizzes to help people understand what to do if they are hurt or feeling unwell.

The scheme is barely off the ground but has already been scooping coveted awards, including the Equality and Diversity award at the UK Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) Excellence Awards, as well as the Overall Winner award.

Leanne Hawker from Partners in Healthcare, the team tasked with educating the public on the work of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “The Beginners Guide to the Health Service has been designed to be a fun and informative way of learning about what to do and where to go for help, if someone is hurt or feels unwell.

“This project has meant that patients are now able to make informed choices regarding their own health care, and use emergency services more appropriately so freeing up staff time for urgent calls.”

South Wales West AM Bethan Jenkins launched the scheme at St Phillips Community Centre in Swansea, where Swansea Council hosts the ‘Face It’ club for adults with learning disabilities.

Also at the launch were members of Swansea People First, an organisation of and for adults with learning disabilities, including the Trust’s newly-appointed Community Champion for People with Learning Disabilities, Darren Murugasan.

Leanne added: “People with learning disabilities are more likely to access healthcare services as they have higher levels of ill health than the general population.

“We are delighted to launch a learning programme that will help give people with learning disabilities the knowledge and confidence to be able to seek the right help, from the most appropriate healthcare service.”

You can find the ‘Beginners Guide to the Health Service’ in the Learning Disabilities Zone of the Welsh Ambulance Service website.

It also includes a parent/facilitator pack that can be used as a guide to help parents and support workers get the most from the programme.

See www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk for more information.

* South Wales West AM Bethan Jenkins with Swansea

People First’s Darren Murugasan, who is also the Trust’s

newly-appointed Community Champion for People with

Learning Disabilities.

Choral Variations celebrates 30th anniversary

Local choir, Choral Variations, is hosting a special event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its formation at the Druids Club tomorrow, Friday, October 25.

Choir spokesman Mike Gleed said: "I wish to let you know of an event taking place involving a well known local choir and even better known musical director.

"The choir is Choral Variations the MD is Owen Maelor Roberts, the event 30th anniversary of the choir's formation.

"We are celebrating with invited guests. The choir will give a small rendition of some of its varied repertoire and refreshments will be enjoyed by all.

"Well done Owen, you are talented, inspirational and very patient, thank you."

Appeal lodged over wind turbine plan

An appeal has been lodged against a decision by Denbighshire County Council to refuse plans for a wind turbine development at Llety Road, Gwyddelwern.

The application, refused at a Planning Committee meeting in June, was for the installation of a 500 kW wind turbine up to 77m to blade tip (up to 50m to hub height), access tracks and hardstanding, transformer station and ancillary works.  

The appeal will be dealt with by written representation and copies of comments already received at application stage  will be forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate. 

If people wish to make any additional comments, they must submit two  copies to the Planning Inspectorate, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ by 22/11/2013. 

Alternatively, people can contact the Planning Inspectorate by e-mail at www.planningportal.gov.uk/appeal quoting the Planning Inspectorate’s appeal reference : APP/R6830/A/13/2202906.