Gwenda Thomas AM visits Respite Care Home

Gwenda Thomas, Constituency AM for Neath, has visited Caewern Respite Care Home at the request of staff and service users.

Gwenda said:‘I was approached to visit the facility and had a very warm welcome. The discussions we had were very informative and constructive. Service users were unanimously of the strong view that they wanted the home to be retained and that respite care was best provided at a separate location to permanent residential or nursing care. They were vociferous in their praise of staff and felt that as service users that were respected and treated with upmost dignity’.

‘I also informed the service users that in my role as Deputy Minister for Social Services I have helped to ensure that from 1st April 2011, no one in Wales will pay more than £ 50 per week for Home Care Services and that transport to Day Care Centres will be free of charge, which was met with rapturous applause.’

One of the regular service users at Caewern, Mrs. Eunice Williams from Pontardawe, invited Mrs. Thomas to visit her room.

Mrs Williams said: ‘I have stayed in Caewern every 6 weeks for 9 years. The staff are very caring and I have everything I need here. I just wish that more people knew about this wonderful facility.’

Gwenda will be passing on all of the comments and concerns raised by the pensioners and staff to the Neath Port Talbot CBC Director of Social Services with a view to arranging a further visit to the home.

Gwenda Thomas AM supports Urdd Message of Peace and Goodwill

Gwenda Thomas AM, Assembly Member for Neath was pleased to support the Urdd Message of Peace and Goodwil when it was read out in the National Assembly for Wales building yesterday.

Gwenda Thomas AM, said "I think that it is important that we listen to what young people are telling us, especially on such an important issue as Climate Change".

She continued "I know that young people from my constituency are throughly engaged in what is happening to our planet as well as being involved with the Urdd Eisteddfod. I will be visiting the Urdd Eisteddfod which is being held in Aberaeron this year and I look forward to seeing some of the competitions taking place".

Gwenda added "I am also looking forward to attending the National Eisteddfod later in the year in Ebbw Vale to support Cantorian Bro Nedd from my constituency who are taking part in one of the competitions"

First National Advocacy and Advice Helpline for Children and Young People

Gwenda Thomas said "A new National Advocacy and Advice helpline for children and young people in Wales, was launched by Deputy Minister for Children Huw Lewis with the help of Radio 1 presenter Aled Hayden Jones, is a marvellous idea".

"The Labour-led Assembly Government is leading the UK and I have pleased to have been involved with the preliminary work along with Jane Hutt AM in launching this helpline called Meic. This enables children and young people to get help on issues important to them".

"I would urge children and young people under 25, if they need to get help on issues important to them, if they feel that have not been heard, or their opinion is not being taken into account on matters that affect them to telephone freephone 080880 23456, free text (84001) or instant message (http://www.meiccymru.org/) seven days a week. Initially Meic will run for 8 hours a day (12-8pm) before coming a 24 hour service".

Advisers will either provide them with information, let them know where they can get further help or transfer them to an independent professional advocate. These advocates are trained to help children and young people find ways of being involved and being heard on any decision that affects them. They may deal with specific issues because the child or young people is not happy with the current situation and feel that they want help and support to support to start, stop or change something".

10,000 plus jobs in Wales backed by ProAct

New figures today show that more than 10,000 people have been helped stay in work thanks to the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government Pro Act Scheme.

Gwenda Thomas said"These figures show how effective the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government ProAct Scheme has been. Over 10,000 people have been kept in work, and 210 apprentices have been supported through 35 companies. This scheme is very important in keeping the skills of the workforce in place"

Glynneath Library Gets Funding Boost

Glynneath Library has been awarded a grant of more than £ 116,030.00 Gwenda Thomas AM for Neath has announced.

The capital grant is part of a £3m investment to help modernise libraries across Wales.

The money supports two of the Labour-led Assembly Government’s commitments to promote and modernise the public library network and develop the use of information technology in libraries.

The Neath AM said: “I am delighted that Glynneath library has been awarded this grant.

“The internet has revolutionised the way members of the public use libraries and it is imperative we cater for those needs. I regularly speak to school children who do not yet have access to the internet at home and who use library computers to carry out web based research for vital course work and home work.”

“The modern day library must now appeal to different audiences and this grant will go a long way in doing that. This year I have organised many of my surgeries on library premises on Saturday mornings and this has proved to be most successful. In fact my July surgery is being held in Glynneath Library on Saturday 10th July between 10.30 am and 12 noon.”

“The Labour-led Assembly Government is proud to invest in developing, promoting and modernising the public library network and I hope people in Glynneath will benefit for many years to come.”

Gwenda Thomas AM backs 1,000 Lives Plus to deliver safer care every time.

Gwenda Thomas said "1,000 Lives Plus, a new five year programme to improve patient safety and reduce avoidable harm across the NHS in Wales was launched recently, and is an excellent idea".

"I am really pleased that good practice, which includes improving rapid response to acute illnesses, will now be spread throughtout Wales, as part of the campaign"

Gwenda Thomas AM backs a new strategy to tackle child poverty in Wales

Gwenda Thomas said "This new strategy and delivery plan is a very important part of how the Labour-led Assembly Government plans to tackle child poverty and improve the outcomes for children and parents in low income families"

"It is very important that people provide input into this consultation, and I would urge them to visit the link below".

To have your say on the strategy and for further details please visit;
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/childrenandyoungpeople/cpstrategy/?lang=en

Constituency Surgery

Gwenda Thomas AM, Constituency Assembly Member for Neath, will be holding a surgery on Saturday 15th May in Cwmllynfell.

Mrs. Thomas will be available at the Millennium Hall from 10.30 am until 12 noon.

'If you require my assistance or advice on local or national issues including social services, education, transport and health, please come along to see me on Saturday at the Millennium Hall where I will be delighted to speak with you,' advised Mrs Thomas.

If constituents are unable to attend the surgery on Saturday, Gwenda Thomas AM's office is open Monday to Friday in Pontardawe and can be contacted on 01792 869993.