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Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Gower, is encouraging the young people in the area to apply for an exciting opportunity to represent Wales at the 8th Commonwealth Youth Parliament.
The National Assembly for Wales’ Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is giving one young person the chance to represent Wales at the 8th Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on 6-10 November 2016. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. Rebecca Evans said: "This is an excellent opportunity for a young person to represent Wales on the world stage. I would love to see someone from Gower having this once in a lifetime experience." The criteria asks that the chosen person is aged 18-29 by 4 November 2016, is a Welsh citizen or a Citizen of another Commonwealth Country living or studying in Wales. They should have an interest and understanding of the National Assembly for Wales, and Welsh current/political affairs, as well as Commonwealth and International political affairs, and enjoy meeting new people, and have a desire to experience aspects of Parliamentary Democracy. For more information, please visit the National Assembly for Wales website, or contact Rebecca Evans AM.  Rebecca Evans, Assembly Member for Gower, joined mums at the breastfeeding support group held in Gorseinon Library during World Breastfeeding week 2016.
Mrs Evans said: "It was great to meet some of the mothers and babies our local breastfeeding group. "The importance of breastfeeding can not be overstated. "Breastfeeding gives mothers an opportunity to give their children a healthy start in life. We know that it improves maternal and child health and boosts educational attainment." The breastfeeding group in Gorseinon meets on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month, and is a way of supporting mums who have recently given birth and those mums who are already on their journey of breastfeeding their child. It offers assistance to those who are beginning to breastfeed their child and offers companionship and help to those mums who are finding the experience a lonely and difficult one. Lyndsey ABM Breastfeeding Counsellor said: “We know the large majority of mums want to breastfeed and are able to breastfeed with the right support. A group is often a good place for mums to connect with others at an important time in their lives. Some come for a chat with new and old friends and those who are having problems can talk to other mums and trained volunteers. All mums, however they choose to feed their baby, deserve support to help them reach their goals.” I will be holding a joint surgery with Councillor Paulette Smith in Clydach this Saturday 20th of August, between 11am and 12 noon. The surgery will take place at the Library on High Street, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5LN.
This is a chance for residents to seek advice, or raise issues or concerns. No appointment necessary. Rebecca Evans, AM for Gower, has visited the CREST mental health resource centre in Cwmbwrla.
CREST is part of the specialist acute services provided by the Swansea's social services department, offering recovery-focused help to people with the most severe or complex mental health problems across Swansea. The recovery model focuses on encouraging and assisting people to develop the skills and relationships they need to move forward, taking control of their lives in a meaningful and independent way and in partnership with our local Health Board, CREST also encourages and supports individuals into employment Rebecca Evans, who has a long-standing interest in mental health, had a tour of the centre and met with staff and people using the service. Rebecca Evans said: "It was good to talk to the people who use the service about the difference that the support is making in their lives, and how the activities offered are helping them on their journey of recovery from serious or complex mental ill health. "Ensuring that services are recovery focused is very important." CREST offers a comprehensive choice of activities which are recovery-focused, and which support growth in the academic, practical, therapeutic, and healthy lifestyles fields. Activities are as diverse as IT, football, art and craft, creative writing, anxiety management, horticultural therapy, beekeeping, car maintenance, carpentry, cooking, pottery, armchair exercise, yoga, literacy and numeracy, and much more.  Rebecca with Mike Greenaway - Chair of Bishopston Play Association Rebecca Evans, AM for Gower, has visited the Bishopston Playsheme to see the power of play. The summer scheme, which has been running for over twenty years, offers children the chance to play and interact in a safe and stimulating environment, and is one of the highlights of the year for many of the hundreds of local children who attend over the course of the two weeks. It also provides opportunities for local adults to gain experience and recognised qualifications as play workers. Rebecca Evans said: "The fact that the right to play enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child shows how important it is. Play is proven to be important for brain development, and is vital in helping children develop skills such as problem solving and team work, and helping them grow in self-confidence. And, as the children in Bishopston showed me, it is a lot of fun!" The playscheme run until 5th August and took place at Bishopston Primary School.  Rebecca with store manager Laurie, Rebecca and a Loughor Inshore Lifeboat rep Rebecca Evans, local AM for Gower visited a Sainsbury’s store to meet colleagues and local customers. She was welcomed by store manager, Laurie and taken on a tour of the Superstore in Gorseinon. Rebecca learned about the store’s new Local Charity Partner, Loughor Inshore Lifeboats, which was voted in by customers at the beginning of July. Rebecca got the chance to meet the lifeboat reps, who talked about how the charity partnership will benefit them in buying new equipment to save more lives at sea. Rebecca Evans AM said: "It was good to hear first hand about the lifesaving work of Loughor Inshore Lifeboat, and I am delighted that shoppers at Sainsbury's in Gorseinon have chose them to be their charity of the year. I know that there are several fundraising events planned at the store over the course of the year, and I wish them every success." Laurie, Store Manager at Sainsbury’s Gorseinon added: “It has been great having Rebecca in to our store to introduce her to our customers and colleagues. Rebecca was very interested in the work we do in the community and was keen to join in with fundraising events herself. I’m incredibly proud of my team, our store and the impact we have on the community. ” I will be holding a constituent’s surgery in Gorseinon this Friday 5th August, between 3pm and 5pm at my Constituency Office - 9 Pontarddulais Road, Gorseinon to enable anyone to meet with me and raise concerns or issues.
If you would like to book an appointment, please get in touch by either ringing 0300 200 7160 or emailing [email protected] Swansea Assembly Members, Rebecca Evans AM (Gower), Julie James AM (Swansea West) and Mike Hedges AM (Swansea East), are calling on the UK Government to move forwards with the Tidal Lagoon plan for Swansea Bay amidst the ‘chaos’ that is the Hinkley C project.
The sudden decision to delay to the Hinkley Point C project by the Prime Minister came just as EDF, the French energy company set to build the project, agreed to go ahead with the project despite the resignation of their finance director over the decision. And, with the cost of the Hinkley Point project spiralling to £18 Billion the AMs believe now is the time for the Government to look at giving the go ahead for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. The call comes as a recent study commissioned by the Welsh Government has estimated that the Tidal Lagoon project would create 1,197 full time jobs during the 5 year construction period with a further 28 continuing full time positions for the operation and maintenance once the project is complete – there could also be up to an additional 1,000 jobs in the manufacturing process surrounding the project. Calling on the UK Government, Mrs Evans said: "Major infrastructure projects such as this have the potential to create skilled jobs for local people and opportunities for local businesses - not to mention a source of reliable, green energy. The UK Government cannot continue to drag its heels when it comes to investment in our part of Wales." Julie James AM added: “The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project has huge potential and it is an opportunity that is too good to miss. The scheme offers not only an incredible opportunity to create local jobs and bring investment to our country, but to also become world leaders in renewable energy, and I urge the UK Government to support the plans." Mike Hedges AM said: “The Tidal Lagoon project simply cannot be left to face the same chaos as Hinkley C, the levels of uncertainty and delays that the Prime Minister has placed on that project leave it teetering on the brink. I urge the Government to be bold and realise the potential that the Tidal Lagoon promises.” The Assembly Members have written to the UK Government urging them to take this opportunity and expressed their concern regarding further delays and uncertainty towards the Swansea tidal lagoon project. |
