Housing Association Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The housing association manages nearly 3,000 homes across five authorities. It provides specialist housing and support services for people with mental ill-health, older people and those with a variety of other support needs, including those at risk of homelessness.
Chief Executive Marcia Sinfield said:
'It was our pleasure to welcome to the event our partners from Welsh Government, councils, funders and developers who work together with us to make this all possible. The Leader of Swansea Council, Cllr Rob Stewart, cut our celebratory cake and we were delighted to welcome the Deputy Leader Cllr Andrea Lewis too.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
5 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Rhyl nurse resigned after allegation of ‘indecent activity'
Emmanuel Kipngeno Bett lost claims against Betsi Cadwaladr University Heath Board of unfair dismissal, race and sexual orientation discrimination, harassment based on race and sexual orientation, and victimisation at an employment tribunal. The alleged incident was in August 2022, but Mr Bett, a registered nurse, resigned shortly afterwards, before any investigation into the matter had concluded. READ MORE: Prestatyn head to be Rhyl school interim head until November Plans being put in place for new adventure play area in Rhyl Talented Rhyl student captains Princeton cheerleading squad Mr Bett was described in Employment Judge Davies' written reasons as a 'black African male of Kenyan origin' and a 'gay man'. The tribunal heard that Mr Bett was allegedly 'targeted' in November 2020 by a colleague for not administering intravenous fluids to a patient, despite him not being trained to do so. The patient, who was seriously ill, was not administered with intravenous fluids as required on November 19, 2020, and died five days later – Mr Bett was their allocated nurse on that day. Mr Bett claimed he was 'unjustly blamed and coerced to apologise' for this, but the tribunal rejected this. It also dismissed his submission that he was targeted by his colleague 'on the ground of his race or sexual orientation'. In 2021, Mr Bett alleged, he was racially abused by a 'very aggressive' female patient on a dementia ward, who also threw a cup of water over him. According to Mr Bett, the health board 'failed to take any action' - rather, he said, a note was made that he must not be allocated to care for this patient, who he did not previously know. But the two colleagues who Mr Bett claimed witnessed this incident told the tribunal they could not remember it. Employment Judge Davies wrote: 'We do not find that this incident, in any event, demonstrated a lack of support for the claimant in the way that he alleges.' Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan (Image: Newsquest) Mr Bett also alleged that, in March 2022, a nurse 'belittled' him because of his accent, but that the colleague who he reported it to did not escalate his concerns. He also believed this nurse spoke to others in Welsh while in front of him to conceal what they were saying – this claim was also rejected by the tribunal. Then, in August 2022, it was alleged that Mr Bett had engaged in 'indecent activity' on a ward with a patient who had substance misuse and mental health problems. The patient, described during the tribunal as 'vulnerable,' reported that he had first come across Mr Bett on the app Grindr. Mr Bett was subsequently suspended while an investigation was carried out – this, the tribunal ruled, was a 'neutral action,' and 'totally unrelated to the claimant's race or sexuality'. A meeting then followed on August 22, 2022 – earlier that day, despite being suspended, Mr Bett had attended the ward where he worked before being told to return home. Employment Judge Davies added: 'We find that the treatment of the claimant at that meeting was entirely appropriate and as supportive and helpful as could be in the circumstances, and was not because of the claimant's race or sexual orientation.' Both North Wales Police and the Nursing and Midwifery Council were informed of the matter but decided not to investigate further. On September 2, 2022, the health board was sent Mr Bett's resignation letter. It read that, due to the 'racist and hostile environment to which he has been subjected,' Mr Bett felt he had 'no choice' but to resign. But the tribunal ruled there was 'no victimisation' in how the health board dealt with Mr Bett. Employment Judge Davies wrote: 'The respondents dealt with the claimant fairly and offered to meet the claimant to explain the position, on a timescale that was relatively short from the time of suspension up to the time of the resignation letter given by the claimant.
South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Minimum price for alcohol units 'broadly positive' in Wales, report
A 50p minimum unit price for alcohol came into force in Wales in March 2020. Ms Murphy said that Welsh Ministers have reviewed all the evidence presented a recent operation and effect report and consider that the evidence suggests minimum pricing for alcohol has contributed towards its intended policy objectives - to target low priced drinks and those who consume them in large quantities. She said: "Overall, the operation and effect of minimum unit pricing has been broadly positive." Following the operation and effect report the Welsh Government has commissioned Sheffield Addictions Research Group at the University of Sheffield to examine this issue. She said: "Its findings, together with the evidence in the operation and effect report, will help inform the development of a proposal about the future of the minimum unit pricing provisions, which will be subject to a further public consultation. "Minimum pricing for alcohol is one of a wide range of health policies adopted by the Welsh Government to help tackle inequality and improve health outcomes. It is not designed to work in isolation, and we will continue to support our broad work in the substance misuse area, targeted towards prevention, support and recovery and tackling availability."
Powys County Times
11 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Welsh farmers urged to protect livestock against bluetongue
Welsh farmers are being urged to vaccinate their livestock to protect against a potentially devastating disease. The warning comes from Angus Wyse, official veterinary officer for the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales, who says it's not if, but when, bluetongue comes to Wales. Bluetongue is a viral disease spread by biting midges that can cause significant losses in livestock, particularly sheep. Mr Wyse said: "When there is a disease that can cause you 70 per cent mortality in your sheep and you can prevent it with one dose of vaccine, it just seems a no-brainer as an insurance policy. "In Holland it was so bad that the dead stock disposal services couldn't cope and there were piles of carcasses lying on farms. "It will come in Wales. "Midges aren't going to respect the border. "It will come through midge activity, but movement restriction may prevent it moving further into Wales as quickly." Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been identified as a particular threat, with Mr Wyse noting its severe effects in sheep and high milk losses in cattle. He said: "BTV-3 doesn't seem to be so severe in cattle, although it does carry a very high milk drop which in the intensive dairy industry is the biggest worry. "It also seems to cause quite a bit of mortality in young calves because they are more susceptible. "We're seeing some 50 per cent milk drops in cows and they're not returning to full production in that lactation." He also raised concerns about the ability of testing facilities to cope with a sudden surge in demand, especially during the peak breeding season. The only UK laboratory able to test for the disease, located at Pirbright, can process only a few hundred samples per week. Movement restrictions require a clear test within seven days of moving sheep, with each test costing around £70. Mr Wyse said: "I'm concerned that the fact that Wales isn't a restricted area is giving farmers a false sense of security. "Farmers are taking comfort in feeling they are not at risk." He urged immediate action. He said: "Vaccinate now, before you have a problem. "Get your rams vaccinated now, so that they are covered well before the tupping period. "And also with any early lambing ewes, you need to be thinking about it now so that you are trying not to vaccinate over the tupping period. "The price isn't prohibitive in relation to stock values at present. "With most vaccines available, sheep only need the one dose but cattle need two doses three weeks apart." Bluetongue is typically seasonal, but milder weather could extend the risk into late autumn. The disease causes circulatory failure, pulmonary oedema, and organ damage due to reduced oxygen transport in the bloodstream. While bluetongue cannot be transmitted directly between animals, midges can carry the virus from one infected animal to another. The NSA Wales and Border Ram Sales will be holding two early sales this year to accommodate movement restrictions. The first sale will take place in Brecon on August 4, followed by a second in Hereford on August 5.
