£40K FOR ICONIC VALLEYS CHURCH

Gwenda Thomas, AM for Neath, today welcomed a £40,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government for the refurbishment of St Cadoc’s Church in Glynneath.

“This gem of a church is a landmark feature of Glynneath. I’m very glad this money is being provided for much needed maintenance work. There’s been a place of worship on this site for at least 500 years - it’s good to know that it’s being cared for well into the 21st century.”

The church is based on a 16th century chapel which was extended by the Williams family of Aberpergwm in the early 19th century.

The church’s unusual 16th century stained glass windows were originally from Steinfeld Abbey in South West Germany. They were sold under the orders of Napoleon around 1800 to raise money for the war effort and eventually made their way to Britain. Other windows from Steinfeld are on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Age Concern NPT Trustee Vacancy

Gwenda Thomas AM for the Neath Constituency has been asked to help Age Concern Neath Port Talbot’s search for a new trustee.

‘They are looking for an additional representative on their board, particularly from the Pontardawe area, to help represent the elderly members of our diverse local community’ advised Mrs. Thomas.

‘Ann Collins and her team organise a fantastic service for our pensioners in Neath and the surrounding areas with projects such as the Social Rehabilitation and Befriending scheme, and promoting independence through neighbourliness, with volunteers helping the elderly to get out and about and socialising. A bid to extend this service to cover physical as well as emotional wellbeing is also in the pipeline.’

‘Big Lottery funding has given a huge boost to services over the last few years with a new combined regional application in place to continue their Independent Advocacy provision, something for which I have seen an increasing demand during my time as Neath’s representative within the Welsh Assembly.’

‘These volunteers assist pensioners to deal with a full range of issues and work together with them to gain the confidence to deal with the problems of every day life.'

Mrs Thomas added, ‘I recommend that anyone interested in becoming a trustee or a volunteer should contact the Chief Executive, Ann Collins, for further information. ’

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Contact Details:

Ann Collins
Chief Executive
Age Concern Neath Port Talbot
Niberian House
Monastery Road
Neath Abbey Business Park
West Glamorgan
SA10 7DR

Helpline　 01792 818200
Email Addresses:
ageconcern@neathporttalbot.org.uk for general enquiries
　
　

Gwenda Thomas AM, Councillor David Lewis, Councillor Alf Sidley and Peter Hain MP, re open the Cabin in Cwmgwrach

Gwenda Thomas AM was delighted to attend this momentous occasion and achievement for the residents of Cwmgwrach. Mrs. Thomas commented, 'The reopening of this community facility for the residents of Cwmgwrach, both young and old, is a testament to people power. Local residents and organisations have worked tirelessly to achieve this end and I am proud to have played a very small part in their endeavour.'





'I am absolutely sure that the community spirit I have seen here today, with the unwavering commitment of certain key individuals, will ensure that this facility will provide a service for many years to come.'

SUPPORT FOR LINAMAR

Gwenda Thomas A.M. has welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s First Minister Carwyn Jones’ commitment to seek a meeting with Linamar and the unions before the end of this week. This commitment was given in a reply to an oral question from Brian Gibbons A.M. during this afternoon's plenary session at The National Assembly.

Mrs. Thomas said, ‘I made contact with Andy Richards, Unite Wales Regional Secretary, last week to offer my assistance, as the closure of this plant in Swansea will also have a detrimental impact on many of my constituents in Neath and the Swansea Valley.’

‘At this fragile point in our economy and with the effects of cuts in public spending and welfare benefits ahead, every effort must be made to ensure that job cuts in Wales are kept to an absolute minimum.’

Healthyworkstations visit

Anne and Gil Ridley explain the benefits of work station assessments and ergonomic computer equipment to Gwenda Thomas AM and her constituency manager, Dilys Richards.

AM’s New Seat

Labour AM, Gwenda Thomas, has visited a local employer based in Ystalyfera. Healthyworkstations is a unique, family run business employing 10 people providing individual and personal support to Companies large and small in helping them to improve the comfort, productivity and safety of computer users.

Mrs Thomas explained, ‘My first contact with this specialist team was through my office in Cardiff, where Healthyworkstations advise the Welsh Assembly Government on ergonomics in the workplace helping in particular those with individual needs who require such support. My constituency office chairs needed replacement and as soon as I discovered the Company was located within my own constituency, I contacted them for advice.’

‘Most office employees sit at their desks for up to 8 hours every day and an inadequately arranged workstation can aggravate existing conditions and this highlights just how important good posture really is! In fact we seem to spend huge sums of money every year updating computer systems but fail to understand even the basic value of good posture, with the provision of the correct seating and ergonomic desk top products.’

Healthyworkstations also provides such expertise and assistance to a variety of students with special needs in all major Welsh Universities such as Cardiff, Swansea and Lampeter. They have also been involved for many years in helping people back to work under the Job Centre Plus Access to Work Scheme. Musculoskeletal problems and repetitive strain injuries account for substantial work absences each year, which have a major affect on individuals and on large and small businesses alike.

Mrs Thomas agreed, ‘A more informed initial financial equipment outlay plan, following advice from specialist companies such as Healthyworkstations, could undoubtedly save employers valuable cash resources in the long term, with the most important added benefit of happier employees.’



Gil and Anne Ridley, who head the Company, were delighted to welcome Mrs. Thomas to their offices and to meet their dedicated team. As Anne said, ‘it really gives us a sense of pride and purpose to know that we are probably the only Company in Wales to offer such a bespoke office ergonomic service. One product does not always suit every user, and it’s our mission to ensure that we strive to meet the needs of each and every one of our clients, even in these difficult, economic times. To this end we are holding a workshop on 27th July to help clients maximise budgets whilst still providing a healthy, productive, office environment.’


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Editors Notes:

Contact for information on workshop:

Anne Ridley
Healthy Workstations Limited
62 – 64 Commercial Street
Ystalyfera
Swansea
SA9 2HS

Tel: 01639 844500
www.healthyworkstations.com