Togetherness At Christmas

 Hi SwanTV Viewers

The Together at Christmas event is was held today at the Brangwyn Hall. We attended and interviewed several people including the Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr Mike Day, the Leader of the Council Cllr Rob Stewart, and Jessie Rice, director of J R Events and Catering who produced over 500 meals free for those vulnerable, isolated or at risk of homelessness guests.

It is wonderful that such an event was organised but sad that it is needed in 2022. We should all have a place to call home that is warm and with a pantry of nurishing food that will sustain us, good neighbours who keep an eye on us if we are older or disabled, and free from streess and anxiety. The event lasted for a couple of hours and there was musical entertainment on stage. Supported by Swansea Council and local agencies there was help at hand to show the many organisations
and benefits available, with tables lining two long walls. At the rear of the hall huge

quantities clothing and shoes were available, free of charge. Every effort was made to help anyone in need. And of course Father Xmas put in an appearance together with an absolute army of elves and other fairyland characters, bring laughter and enjoyment to the many guests. I talked with several of those enjoying the hospitality and was struck by the stories they told. You never know when you might be an a bad place and need such support. We are living in such strange times that we should realiuse how lucky we are and help others who needed it in any area of life.

If you have a neighbour who is alone, elderly or disabled spare some time to check they are ok and maybe share a few minutes to talk. Some older and house-bound people rarely see anyone apart from carers and can be very lonely.

So that was one end of the spectrum. The other end was the Zoom conference I attended this morning with 4 the Region, Swansea. This is a movement to co-create a happier, healthier South West Wales with a thriving economy that serves the well-being of people and the planet, who want to see the region leading the way in new ways of living and working, and new ways of organising our society and our economy, more visible, more accessible and more relevant to all those who live here.

Since the Welsh Government became the first in the world to put protecting the well-being of future generations into law, in 2015; and since Wales joined the Wellbeing Economy Governments Organisation in 2019, it’s fair to say that Wales is part of a global movement to

reshape our economies so that they work better for people and the planet.  

4 the Region want to see the region fully embracing the principles of the Wellbeing Economy and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act for Wales (2015), making sure the purpose of growing the economy is to serve the wellbeing of people and the planet, rather than an end in itself. South West Wales is

an amazing natural environment, a brilliant quality of life, caring communities… and the opportunity to make Wellbeing the unique selling point, the regional identity, andthe shared purpose. 

The conference heard from all participants and will prepare a report from this information. If you are a local business look up 4 the Region where you can join.

To fulfil this ambition will be a long-term goal changing minds and attitude. We must all work together looking after our community, the local shops and amenities, local people and jobs. The Thatcher times when we were self-centred has passed. A major change is necessary to over come the current cost of living and improve our wellbeing.  Don't forget to keep an eye on that neighbour and, if you can, give generously to local charities trying to help those in need over the Christmas period.

Stay safe 

Mike Leahy  SwanTV

Contact: https://www.4theregion.org.uk/

Our Tomorrow is our Youth of Today

 Hi Swantv Viewer

Yes! tomorrow's success depends on the youth of today. We must nurture and encourage them. We all want the best for our children. Apart from what we can do and the wonderful teachers they are with daily, there is a huge network of youth support across Wales encouraging and teaching life skills through fun projects.

On Thursday I had the privilege of attending the annual Welsh Youth Work Excellence awards at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, attended by over 200 people, many finalists in the different catagories. Different segments of the ceremony were conducted in Welsh and English and an address was given by Jeremy Miles, MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language. Apart from the awards there was live music provided before the presentations by David Ingham and Erin Rolles: whilst Laila Woodward performed two original pieces she composed at the end on stage. Talented young artists showed their work,  Makenzy Beard and others organised by MAD, the music, art and digital community company in the High Street, Swansea. 

I was suprised to find how many individuals, groups and support units are involved with the youth in Wales and how diverse these are. Many involved in working with diverse and previously marginalised groups such as those who are disabled. The shift in attitudes over recent years, especially since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act and later the Equality Act has had an enormous impact, making disabled people welcome, showing that they are are such an important part of our communities, and often with simple adjustments they can contribute in so many ways. 

It also struck me how the word "confidence" was mentioned time and time again in passing. Being confident is probably the most important personal trait leading to a full social and working life. How many are held back because they lack confidence and are anxious. So the many groups supporting youth may not list confidence building as part of their projects but whatever they are doing in bringing young peole together and listening to them or teaching new skills all will inevitably instill increased confidence. And this in turn witl reduce anxiety and help with many mental health issues.  

The awards were  wide ranging:

Digital Innovation with two finalists  Mindscape, Tanyard Youth Project;  "Nowhere to Go", Conway Youth Service and Sarah McCradle, Cardiff Youth Service

Equality and Diversity in youth work setting with finalists ; Mixtup; STAND NW Youth Zone; Stuart Parkinson, Deaf Hub Wales

Leadership with one finalist and winner David Williams, Torfaen Youth Service.

Outstanding Youth Worker finalists Andrew Owen, Leuenctid Gwynedd Youth, Carly Powell, Caerphilly Youth Service, and Lin Brackenbury, Boys' and Girls' Clubs of Wales

Outstanding volunteer in youth work setting finalists David Stallard, Mixtup, Kieran Saunders, CCYO, Lela Patterson, Swansea MAD, and Mahieddine Dib, EYST

Welsh language youth work finalists #FelMerch, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, and GISDA,

Youth work champions finalists  Heulwen O'Callaghan, Junior Leadership Project, Hannah Lewis, The Hwb, Torfaen, Karen and Jake Henry, VibeYouth CIC, and Nick Corrigan, Media Academy Cymru.

Demonstrating excellence in partnership planning and delivery at a regional/national level finalists Inspire, Youth Work in Hospital, and Ruth Letten, CONNECT, Adoption UK

Demonstrating excellence in partnership planning and delivery at a regional level finalists Wellbeing Festival, leuenctid Gwynedd Youth, Mick Holt, Flintshire Integrated Youth Provision, and Yarn Trail, Blaenau Gwent Youth Service.

A short video was shown about each finalist and the work they did, so inspiring. The enthusiasm and commitment that was shown is reflected in the thousands of young people who have been through these projects and benefitted. 

I was a guest with Karen and Jake Henry of VibYouth, whom I nominated for an award. Not everone who attended could be the catagory winner but it was obvious that every finalist was in effect a winner to have been chosen by the judges. And as Jake told me "Looking around I realise how well we have done to be here. It is an honour to have been selected as a finalist. We just go out and do our best in schools for the young people we work with, we do it to try and enrich their lives.."

Pre-computer days when children would safely play out in the street or local parks, where youth clubs were the normal, where they can build up social skills with peers is not a bye-gone time. There are activities throughout Wales for young people of all ages and so traditions continue. Yesterday I went to watch my grandson play football against other local youth teams and saw the enjoyment he and his friends had, whether winning or losing. It was really cold with a wind blowing across the field and I stood wrapped up warm. The young players seemed oblivious to the weather and, after shaking hands with the opposing teams at the end of the matches were quickly coated and whisked away, probably for a hot chocolate drink and hot sausage roll, at least that's what we had!!

Take care and enjoy the weeks to Christmas. Your comments are appreciated. What do you think about young people today?

Mike Leahy SwanTV

 

 

   

Low Cost Practical Inner City Travel

 Hi SwanTV Viewers

Sometimes the whackiest of ideas spawns a solution to a problem.

I've talked to many older and disabled people recently about the difficulties of getting around the city centre. Swansea is a compact city, and for most people walking from one side to the other of the city centre takes 10-15 minutes maximum, so quite accessible. But it takes longer from the railway station which so,me what isolated. And walking from the bus station can be quite a challenge for some.

The new Council Community Hub that is rising out of the old BHS store is central. Now this is a good thing, easy to get to for able-bodied people. But it is a challenge for many older and disabled people. I know from experience leading up to my bypass surgery how breathless I found any walk of more that 50 metres, and exhausting too. 

The obvious answer, well obvious to me at least, is to see if it is practical to run a land-train from the bus station, along Oxford Street, down Orchard Street to the railway station, turning round and running the route back again picking up and dropping of along the route but in particular along Oxford Street. This would encourage more people to shop there and make access to the new Council Community Hub easier. 

Run as either a free service or simple £1 fare. This could be collected as cash, through an app or with passengers purchasing a bulk ticket of say 5 or 10 journeys from the bus or rail station. I'm sure that the uptake would be sufficient to cover costs and would be a really beneficial service to the whole community.

Obviously there are many points to consider and some opposition but I feel a forward looking Local Authority would look at this proposition as a serious solution to the mobility problems for some people. And there would be no need to make provision for wheelchair users, so no expensive adaptations to carriages.

What are your views? Is this a good idea that will help many people and bring more business to shops in the city centre? You can comment here or send a video clip of your views to ask@swantv.com.

Mike Leahy  SwanTV