Community

Fostering in Wales celebrated

Published

10 years ago

June 25, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Mark Drakeford AM

POLITICIANS, councillors and representatives from across the fostering sector will be joining the Minister for Health and Social Services Mark Drakeford AM, at a Senedd reception held by The Fostering Network to celebrate the role of foster care onFostering in Wales Day, Friday June 12.
The special day is part of the charity The Fostering Network’s Foster Care Fortnight (June 1-14), and is an opportunity to highlight the fantastic work that thousands of foster families do across the country as well as raising awareness of fostering and the need for 550 more foster families across Wales this year.
The charity will also use the occasion to launch its Foster Carers’ Charter, which has been developed in partnership with ADSS Cymru and the WLGA and outlines the roles and commitments of both fostering services and their foster carers. Attendees will also hear from foster carers Will Howells and Bryn Miles about their experiences, and from health and social services minister Mark Drakeford AM who, as well as reiterating the need for more people to come forward as potential foster carers, will talk about the When I’m Ready scheme and the consultation on the regulations underpinning the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act.
Director of The Fostering Network Wales, Dr Emily Warren, said: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate the role of foster care with the minister, AMs, councillors and many others from across the sector.
“Foster carers throughout Wales provide stable and secure homes for thousands of children in care each and every year, often giving these children their first real experience of positive family life. To make sure that fostering services can find the right home for each of these children, first time, another 550 more foster families are needed across Wales in the next year alone.
“For the thousands who are already foster carers, we know how important it is that they feel valued and supported by their fostering service, and that’s why we are using this year’s campaign as an opportunity to launch our Foster Carers’ Charter. This charter makes clear the responsibilities of, and expectations on, both fostering services and foster carers, as they work together to care for fostered children.
“The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity. For over 40 years we have been bringing everyone involved in foster care together to make life better for fostered children. We promote and celebrate foster care, influence and create change and develop and share innovative approaches to fostering. That’s why I’m delighted that we are leading Confidence in Care, a consortium funded by the Big Lottery Fund which is delivering a five-year programme aiming to improve the life chances of looked after children across Wales.
“Thank you to all the foster families across Wales for the amazing work that you do. I know that this Foster Care Fortnight you will have inspired others to come forward and make a real difference for fostered children.”
Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “It’s an exciting time to be a foster carer or a fostering service provider in Wales as we implement our ambitious plans to transform social care. Foster Care Fortnight is a chance to celebrate our achievements and challenge us to find new ways of achieving better outcomes for looked-after children and their foster carers.
“I am particularly pleased that we are rolling out the ‘When I am Ready’ scheme, which will give young people the opportunity to continue living with their foster carers beyond the age of 18, until they are ready to move to more independent living.”
Phil Evans from the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) Cymru said: “Foster carers are at the heart of our fostering service; they provide placements for over two-thirds of all looked after children in Wales. We’re delighted that the Fostering Network has given us the opportunity to acknowledge and thank them again for all their remarkable dedication and commitment.
“It’s every child’s right to live within a safe, secure and stable family environment, to be able to grow, develop and reach their potential. Foster carers offer this opportunity to children of all ages, from new born babies through to young adults. Some look after children on a short-term basis while others provide long-term permanent care. Some provide placements for children with complex needs while others care for children who are part of their extended family.
“This is an essential service provided to children and society as a whole. We’re very mindful that there are c h a l l e n g e s f a c i n g f o s t e r i n g services now and in the longer-term. The new Charter has an important role to play in providing us all with a clear statement about what foster carers need and deserve and what has to improve. ADSS Cymru looks forward to working with The Fostering Network, BAAF Cymru, Welsh Government and other partners to make this vision an everyday reality for all foster carers.”
Cllr Mel Nott OBE (Bridgend), WLGA spokesperson for social services said: “Fostering makes a huge difference to the lives of children by offering them the stable and secure home that they need to flourish. Raising awareness through events like Foster Care Fortnight plays a crucial role and we hope it encourages more people to come forward and help give a child a positive and settled family life. Local government, through initiatives like the Foster Carers’ Charter, remains committed to achieving the highest possible standards both for those children who are in need of a foster family, and also for foster families themselves.”

Community

Two hundred years of railways: ‘Railway 200’ launches in Aberystwyth

Published

6 mins ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WALES is geared up to mark 200 years of passenger rail travel this year as the UK marks the historic anniversary of the advent of the modern rail.

As part of the celebrations, a launch event is being held in Aberystwyth today, kicking off a year of events around the country.

Dr Louise Moon, Transport for Wales’ Railway 200 Programme Lead said it was exciting to be showcasing Wales’ history as well as promoting the innovations that are taking place now.

She said: “We’re incredibly excited to be sharing so much of our history across Wales within our communities, telling the stories of innovation, grit and determination.

“Railway 200 celebrates so much of our social and cultural history and how the railways transformed our country and made it what it is today.

“Towns like Aberystwyth grew massively with the arrival of the railway so it’s great to be launching the year of events here.

“We want to inspire a new generation not just with our proud history but through science, technology and innovation that is taking place right now as we are going through the next major transformation of our network which will connect future generations within Wales.”

While the milestone marks 200 years since the first passenger steam journey on the Stockton & Darlington Railway in September 27, 1825, Wales can rightly claim a huge part in the build up to that historic journey.

In 1804 Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick designs the Pen-y-Darren locomotive which pulled 10 tonnes of coal 10 miles from the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil to Abercynon.

And then in 1807, the Swansea and Mumbles Railway saw the world’s first fare paying passengers, with horses pulling their carriage along the rail tracks, proving a widely popular experience.

Transport for Wales is writing its own chapter in that history electrifying the core valley lines in south east Wales, building new stations and depots, and making an £800 million investment in new trains.

As part of the wider plans to tell the story of Railway 200 across the UK, four main themes will be explored.

· Skills & Education

· Innovation, Technology & Environment

· Heritage, Culture & Tourism

· Celebrating Railway People For more information visit https://tfw.wales/railway-200

Community

Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter

Published

17 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.

Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.

Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.

Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.

The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.

Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.

“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”

For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]

Community

Storm Éowyn upgraded to ‘danger to life’ amber warning for Wales

Published

19 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE MET OFFICE has upgraded its weather alert for Storm Éowyn to an amber warning, signifying a “danger to life” as strong winds and heavy rain approach Wales and other parts of the UK. The warning is in effect from 6:00am to 9:00pm on Friday, covering northern Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England, and southern Scotland.

Strong winds and widespread disruption

The amber alert warns of winds reaching 60-70 mph inland and up to 90 mph in exposed coastal areas and high ground. The Met Office advises that flying debris poses a risk to life, while power cuts, travel disruption, and property damage are highly likely.

Road, rail, air, and ferry services are expected to face delays and cancellations. Homes and businesses may also sustain structural damage as the storm progresses.

Areas in Wales under amber warning:

Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Gwynedd
Isle of Anglesey

Alongside the amber alert, two yellow warnings for wind cover all of Wales on Friday, lasting from midnight Thursday to midnight Friday. A separate yellow warning for rain is also in effect from midnight to 9:00am on Friday, predicting 15-25 mm of rain across much of Wales and 40-60 mm in higher elevations. The heavy rainfall may lead to surface water flooding in some areas.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing northeast by Friday night. This will bring a spell of very strong west to southwesterly winds, with a brief reduction in wind strength as the storm’s centre passes over certain areas. Winds will then increase rapidly before gradually easing later on Friday.”

Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, avoid unnecessary travel, and monitor updates as the storm approaches.