Ambulance service launches promises to older people

* Alison Johnstone, Patient Experience & Community

Involvement Manager, holds up the Welsh

Ambulance Service’s Promises to Older People.

THE WELSH Ambulance Service has launched a list of promises to older people who use its services.

Over the last few months members of the Trust’s Patient Experience and Community Involvement team have engaged with hundreds of older people to find out how they would like to be treated.

There are over 800,000 people in Wales aged 60 or over, which accounts for more than a quarter of our population. 

This is expected to rise to over one million people in the next 20 years.

‘Our Promises to Older People’ was launched to coincide with International Day of Older Persons and includes pledges to treat older people with dignity and respect, provide good information and communication if a patient has sensory loss and to recognise the signs of people with dementia.

The Trust was recently shortlisted in the final of the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friendly Awards for its work to help patients with dementia in the Swansea area.

Claire Bevan, Executive Director of Quality, Safety and Patient Experience for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said that the promises will help the Trust to focus on the individual care needs of older people across Wales.

She said: “We know that a high number of older people use our services regularly, whether calling 999 in a medical emergency or using our Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service for hospital appointments. 

“We want to make sure that the services we provide meet individual needs of older people and to ensure that they have a good experience when in our care.

“Our Promises to Older People are important to us, and we would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation for their contribution to inform the development of Our Promises for Older People.”

The list of promises has been hailed as an example of good practice by Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira.

She said: “‘Our Promises to Older People’ is an excellent example of how to communicate with older people and their families in a way that is both meaningful and relevant.

“Setting out these commitments in such an accessible format, with a strong focus on values and outcomes, makes clear the high standards older people have a right to expect when accessing services provided by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

“I have written to the Cabinet Minister for Health to highlight ‘Our Promises to Older People’ as an example of good practice and hope that other service providers across Wales will soon adopt similar approaches to communicate with those who use and rely upon their services.”

Llan Youth Band provide play area fanfare

* The Youth Band playing at Pontfadog.

Members of Llangollen Youth Band were delighted to play at the unveiling of a new children’s play area in Pontfadog on Thursday, October 20.

The grand opening was a celebration of four years of fundraising by the local community, led by Pontfadog resident Rachel Maries.

Amongst the members of the youth ensemble was Rachel’s son, Tom, who plays tuba in both the Youth and Senior Bands.

The honour of opening the play area went to Wales rugby international, Rupert Moon.

The band played a number of Welsh classics such as 'Men of Harlech' and 'All through the Night'.

A spokesman for the band said: “We were delighted to be able to send members of our talented Youth Band to the opening of the new children’s play area in Pontfadog.

"Our congratulations go to all that have been involved in the fundraising efforts and we hope that local children enjoy the new facility for years to come." 

Reviving ancient skill on the river

Coracle expert Les Davies has been reviving the ancient skill on the River Dee this afternoon as part of an autumn fun day at Llangollen Museum, which also features exhibitions of spinning and wood turning.

Les has his next coracle display on the river at 3pm.

Also at the museum in Parade Street until 4pm there are stalls selling cakes, jewellery, bric-a-brac and gifts.

Aldi expected to open next summer creating 30 jobs

* The supermarket now to become Aldi, possibly next summer.

Llangollen's new Aldi store is expected to be open in summer 2017 creating up to 30 jobs, according to the company.

The discount grocery chain also says it aims to encourage links with other local traders.

Earlier this week Aldi won planning approval from the county council to occupy the town's "ghost" supermarket off the A5 on a shared basis with Home Bargains.

And in its first official statement to llanblogger, the company says: "Aldi is delighted to confirm that it has received planning permission for a high-quality new food store on Berwyn Street, following careful consideration from Denbighshire County Council.

"The site, which has been occupied by a vacant retail building for over a year, was originally planned to be occupied by Sainsbury’s. Aldi will now take on the site and bring its award-winning range of products to Llangollen.

"We are really pleased to be opening a new store in Llangollen. We understand that there is a strong local interest in the future of the Berwyn Street site, so we are pleased to announce that we will be taking it on and bringing it into productive use.

“Not only will the new store deliver a multi-million-pound investment in the local area and create up to 30 much-needed new jobs, it will also provide greater shopping choice for local people and help them save money on their weekly grocery shop.”

The statement adds: "Unlike other retailers, Aldi has a unique offering and does not act as a one-stop shop.

"Aldi stores do not have a butcher, fishmonger or bakery, nor do they provide childcare facilities or sell tobacco.

"Instead, Aldi is known for encouraging linked trips between its stores and other local businesses, encouraging residents to complete their shopping at other local shops, adding to the vitality and viability of the local area.

"Work on site will start in the coming months, and Llangollen’s new Aldi is expected to be open in summer 2017.

"Recruitment will start during construction: anyone interested in jobs at the store should register their details on www.aldirecruitment.co.uk"

Council helps businesses master Facebook

Denbighshire County Council has been helping businesses get to grips with social media.

A free workshop was recently held in Denbigh to help firms embrace Facebook as part of the Council’s Economic and Community Ambition Strategy which aims to make the county more business friendly.

The workshop was held at Denbigh HWB and included tips on how to set up a business Facebook account, what content businesses should post to engage customers as well as insights on how to get the best out of the site.

The event is one of a series being organised by Denbighshire County Council to support local businesses to make the most of being online.

Stuart Whitfield, Economic and Business Development Officer, said: “Social media like Facebook is an accessible way for businesses to engage new customers. For a little bit of effort the marketing potential is huge whether you are a retailer or offer a service. The course feedback has been excellent.

“As part of the Council’s Economic and Community Ambition Strategy, we aim to support businesses and help them thrive.”

Denbighshire County Council is hosting a free Introduction to Twitter for Small Businesses workshop at Rhyl College on November 8 between 4.30pm and 8.30pm.

* To book a place or to see other business training events being offered visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-support-and-advice/training.aspx

Have you twigged onto church's Christmas tree festival?

* One of last year's festival entries. 

Have you started planning yet to enter this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at Llangollen Methodist Church?  

This very popular (and closely contested) festival will be held once again this year, starting with setting up on Friday December 9 and finishing with dismantling on Wednesday January 4.

This year there will be two classes of entry plying for visitors' votes – traditional trees and creative interpretations.

You will need to supply and decorate a small tree, no taller than 5 feet, using an appropriate Christmas theme.

You might like to link the decoration to your business or organisation, or just be creative.   

Any lights must be battery operated. Hard bases are provided that you can cover with a cloth or paper as you wish.  

Small business cards or promotional materials can be placed at the base of the tree for visitors to pick up.

More details later but start planning now and please register your intention to enter by Saturday December 3 at the latest -  by emailing: yand.davies@btinternet.com, or phoning 01978 860557.

County gives cautious welcome to cash settlement

Denbighshire County Council has given a cautious welcome to the provisional financial settlement by Welsh Government, with the proposed settlement slightly better than expected, but remains challenging.

The council will see an increase of 0.5% , the first increase since 2013/14.

It says this will help to ensure that the council can deliver its priorities and avoid further cuts next year.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: “The Council will need to consider the proposed settlement in greater detail.

“What it generally means is that the savings we have already identified for 2017/18 will be sufficient and the council will not need to find any further cuts for the next financial year.

“An increase in funding is always to be welcomed, but we need to consider this good news in the context of continuing increases in the council’s costs.

He added:  “We have worked tirelessly over recent years to prepare and respond to the financial challenges, whilst minimising the impact of cuts and protecting key frontline services as far as possible.

“We have also worked to be more efficient as a council, streamlining our services to be as effective as possible in the current economic climate, whilst continuing to provide value for money services and maintaining our position as being one of the highest performing councils in Wales.

“That commitment to maintaining the best possible services for Denbighshire residents continues.”