This e-mail is to inform you that as of the 5th of April, I am standing down as Coordinator for Vale Baby Basics after seven and a half years. We are currently looking for a replacement, via the Trustees at Coastlands and with support from Baby Basics UK.

Samaritans Cymru is a suicide prevention charity that provides emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope. In 2024, we are launching a new project to raise awareness about the impact that the journey to becoming a parent can have on your mental health. We want to improve the support available to men and women across Wales. We also want to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health and the parenthood journey.

Why are we asking for your views?

We are seeking funding for the next few years. To help with this, we want (and need) to gather views from people and organisations that know of, or might be interested in, accessing Gig Buddies and working with us.

Track The Act, Carers Wales monitoring and evaluation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 on carers rights, has returned after a three-year, pandemic-related hiatus. 

The Government-backed Energy Company Obligation (ECO) aims to help eligible households install energy efficiency solutions at no cost to you(1) thereby reducing energy bills and improving the warmth of residents’ homes.

For the sessions available in March 2024 & April 2024 please click here.

Eat Them to Defeat them returns for its sixth year, to make veg fun, improve diets and increase children’s intake of vegetables by chomping away.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, has issued a statement on the latest NHS Wales performance data published today.

The Carer’s Leave Act comes into force this year. The Act will give new rights to people juggling unpaid care and paid employment. This is a huge cause for celebration, making a tangible difference to the hundreds of thousands of working carers in Wales.

Carers Wales is running six 1-hour online events throughout February and March to help you prepare for the Carer's Leave Act. These events will help you understand your responsibilities and ensure compliance with this important new legislation.

Tender opportunity for the provision of carer friendly and young carers in school service. The tender closes on the 8th March at 3pm.

Carers Wales has a calendar of free online training and well-being/information sessions coming up for carers in March and April 2024.

2.46 million children under the age of 15 are living in relative income poverty in the UK. Poverty rates have remained high in Wales over the past two decades with children consistently at the highest risk of living in poverty of any age group.

In 2017, Enrique moved from Spain to live in Cardiff. His interests include cooking, climbing, attending Crossfit, socialising with friends and taking every opportunity to improve his (already excellent) English language. Enrique is passionate about food and cooking and was Head Chef at a Cardiff restaurant. In October 2023, at the age of 35, Enrique suffered a life changing stroke.

Y Galon is an age-friendly community hub at the old Red Cross Building on Broadshoard, Cowbridge. The hub will be a warm and welcoming space for the whole community. On offer will be support-groups, gentle exercise, information and signposting, therapies, volunteering opportunities and much more.

Twin sisters Marieme and Ndeye were born conjoined. Faced with the prospect of losing the weaker of the two girls if medics operated and a very low life expectancy if they didn’t, their father Ibrahima and medical staff made the gut-wrenching decision not to separate them. Now, aged 7 and living in Cardiff, the girls are thriving and continue to defy the medical odds stacked against them.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that Junior Doctors in Wales will be taking Industrial Action for a 72-hour period between 7am on Wednesday, 21st February and 7am on Saturday, 24th February 2024.

The NHS will benefit from £10 million in additional capital funding to upgrade scanning equipment and digital infrastructure.

Purpose of the consultation

On 2 February 2024, James Evans MS launched a consultation on his proposal for a Mental Health Standards of Care (Wales) Bill, inviting people to give their views on the policy objectives of the proposed law. The consultation is scheduled to close on 22 March 2024.

VOICES ADFOCAD will work towards the advancement of human rights by raising awareness of the roles and rights of Welsh Unpaid Carers – young and old, from all walks of life, abilities and backgrounds to ensure that the unique voice of the individual is listened to, heard, and actively included in all relevant matters – from grassroots to policy-making levels and back again.

Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing launches the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Suicide and Self-harm Strategy for consultation.