 Member of the Senedd for Gower, Rebecca Evans MS, has joined leading consumer safety Charity Electrical Safety First to warn that people in Wales may be buying unsafe electrical items online.
The Charity Electrical Safety First carried out an investigation which discovered that some hair clippers, hair removal kits and other beauty salon electrical items for sale in online marketplaces were unfit for sale to Welsh consumers as advertised, putting them at risk of electric shock and fire. Rebecca Evans MS said “With hairdressers and beauty salons currently closed in Wales, research has revealed that more than a third (38%) of adults in Wales have either already purchased or are considering purchasing an electrical beauty item such as hair clippers or hair removal kits from an online marketplace. “Electrical Safety First have told me of their concern about unsafe beauty products being sold online – and it might not be immediately obvious from the advertisements why they might be dangerous.” The investigation has raised awareness of the dangerous of purchasing products on online marketplaces that are not compatible to be used in Wales as they often advertised without UK plugs, and are sold with dangerously poor-quality travel adaptors for permanent use. The Charity is concerned that such items are illegal and risks electric shock or a fire in consumers home. Notes to editor:
 Rebecca Evans and Jeremy Miles, Members of the Senedd for Gower and Neath, congratulate the Swansea Canal Society for having received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK - the MBE for volunteer groups. The Swansea Canal Society is a group of volunteers based around the Swansea Canal in the Lower Swansea Valley, which aims to promote the heritage and history of the canal, protect its wildlife, restore the canal to navigable standards, to improve the canal environment for the health and benefit of all local residents and visitors. Rebecca Evans MS said: “I have had the privilege of spending time with volunteers of the society, and have seen first hand the great work they do to ensure that the Swansea Canal continues to be an important visitor destination in our community, and a wonderful resource for local residents. This recognition is richly deserved. Jeremy Miles MS for Neath said: "My huge congratulations to Swansea Canal Society, who have been honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Well done and thank you to all the volunteers who work tirelessly in regenerating the Swansea canal, both as an asset for active recreation and as a heritage visitor destination." The Queen’s Award for volunteers recognises the work the society has done in regenerating the Swansea Canal as a community asset for active recreation and as a heritage visitor destination. The Swansea Canal Society is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.  Member of the Senedd for Gower, Rebecca Evans, has welcomed the news that Gorseinon and Penyrheol will benefit from part of a £30m Welsh Government investment in local transport improvements across Wales.
Gorseinon and Penyrheol will see improvements worth nearly a million pounds for safer routes within the community, and for road safety. Rebecca Evans MS said: “This funding is good news. It will support local economic growth as we move into the recovery phase following Covid-19 pandemic, enhancing local transport and creating and improving routes to encourage more of us to walk and cycle.” Notes: https://gov.wales/local-transport-fund-grants-awarded-2020-2021  Member of the Senedd for Gower, Rebecca Evans MS, is raising awareness that the National Lottery Awards for All, and People and Places fund, remain open to help organisations support their communities through the crisis.
Rebecca Evans MS said: “Organisations across the constituency are doing wonderful work supporting people through this crisis, and this funding can help with that work. “Applications addressing COVID-19 will be prioritised. These would include support for organisations supporting people who are at high risk from Covid 19, those organisations supporting communities most likely to face increasing demand and challenges as a direct result of measures to prevent the spread of Covid 19, and organisations with high potential to support communities with the direct and indirect impact of Covid 19. “In this time of uncertainty many organisations which offer so much support for the people of Gower may be facing greater financial concerns, and this funding can help organisations continue their vital role.” Applications can be made via: www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/wales  Gower Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans AM, has welcomed the announcement by the Rural Affairs Minister that the Welsh Government will be making funding available for Welsh dairy farmers hardest hit by the recent exceptional market conditions as a result of Covid 19. Rebecca Evans AM said: “The dairy sector has felt the immediate impact of the global pandemic with the closures of many of the services they supply to. “I welcome the fact that the Welsh Government is offering support to eligible dairy farmers who have faced such loses during these challenging times.” Support offered is up to £10,000 to cover 70% of the dairy farmers’ lost income. This will help to ensure they can continue to operate without impacting animal welfare and the environment. Rebecca Evans added: “This additional support will help our dairy farmers adapt to these extraordinary market conditions. With the Welsh Government working alongside our dairy farmers, we should be optimistic about the future for the dairy sector and its supply chain in Wales.”  Are you a freelancer in the creative industries, struggling to make a living because of the impact of coronavirus? If so, Gower AM Rebecca Evans says that the Urgent Response Fund might be able to assist. The fund includes financial support from the Welsh Government, Arts Council of Wales, Tŷ Cerdd, Literature Wales, and the Freelands Foundation. It provides short-term emergency support for freelance creative practitioners who are experiencing financial hardship, and helps individuals meet their most urgent financial needs while they explore the potential help from other schemes or other ways of sustaining their needs. Rebecca Evans AM said: “Like many sectors, the creative industries have been hit hard by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. This fund provides short term, emergency support.” If you have no other source of funding you can apply for a grant of up to £2,500. Rebecca Evans AM added: “You will need to submit your application no later than 5pm on Wednesday 6th May - but if demand is higher than expected, the fund might close early, so get your application in as soon as you can.” Apply here: https://arts.wales/urgent-response-fund-for-individuals Local AMs support the launch of The Blossom Awards to recognise local Welsh-Chinese achievers29/4/2020
 Mike Hedges AM for Swansea East, Rebecca Evans AM for Gower and Julie James AM for Swansea West are calling on constituents from the Welsh-Chinese community to put themselves forward for a new award designed to recognise their achievements and contributions to national life.
Nominations are now open for The Blossom Awards which aim to identify high achievers from the Welsh-Chinese and British-Chinese Community across the country in a range of fields from science and the creative industries to business and voluntary work. The Awards aim to recognise unsung heroes like teachers, NHS staff and charity leaders, and those who have achieved success in professional fields like engineering, technology and business. The Blossom Awards are the first ever accolades focused exclusively on the Welsh-Chinese Community – one of the largest and most established ethnic minority groups in Wales. Whilst first generation Chinese immigrants typically worked in takeaways and restaurants, second and third generations, many of whom who were born or grew up in Wales, have flourished in a broad range of fields and make an outstanding contribution to our area and to national life beyond the traditional stereotypes. Rebecca Evans AM said: “Welsh-Chinese people are doing inspirational work in communities across our area and across Wales, and the Blossom Awards shine a light on their success and contribution.” Mike Hedges AM stated that: “The Blossom Awards are supported by leading businesses and organisations with a commitment to diversity and promoting the success of Welsh - Chinese people.” Julie James AM said: “From business and the arts to science and the charity sector, the Awards enable Welsh-Chinese people to challenge outdated perceptions about their identity. Please encourage a friend, family member, neighbour or colleague who deserves recognition to nominate themselves.” The Awards do not receive any funding from local or central Government or from any public body or charity in the UK — or from any foreign government, state-backed enterprise or agency. Nominations are now open and close on Friday 12 June 2020 and must be submitted online: www.TheBlossomAwards.org.uk Award Winners will be invited to a ceremony in central London in late October 2020. Notes
The 12 categories open for nominations are: 1. Education 2. Environment & Sustainability 3. Entrepreneurship 4. Business & Professions 5. Engineering & Science 6. Public Service 7. Culture, Music & the Arts 8. Community & Charity 9. Young Achiever (under 30) 10. Food & Hospitality 11. Technology & Digital 12. Media & Creative Industries  Gower Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans AM, has expressed her gratitude to a Clydach firm and Swansea seamstress who are using their skills to making vital supplies for the NHS in Wales. Red Dragon Flagmakers, which specialises in the production of flags for films, TV, festivals, and castles will now be making Personal Protective Equipment for use in Wales, joining Swansea seamstress Tesni Owen and others across Wales in responding to the call from the First Minister for help. Rebecca Evans AM said: “It is wonderful to see businesses in Swansea stepping up to help meet the challenge of providing PPE for frontline workers in Wales. It is a fantastic demonstration of how the people of Wales are using their crafts and skills in a new way to help the NHS in Wales through this crisis.” As a result of the work by Red Dragon Flagmakers, Tesni Owen, and others across the country, Wales is currently self-sufficient in manufacturing scrubs in Wales for the first time.  Gower Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans AM, has welcomed the news that children in Wales will continue to receive free school meals during the coronavirus pandemic. The Welsh Government is the only UK administration so far to have guaranteed ongoing funding for children to continue to receive free school meals throughout the summer holidays in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Rebecca Evans AM said: “The Welsh Government has continued to take decisive action in its continued support for children who are in most need. It is no surprise that Wales is leading the way in supporting families who are struggling during the outbreak.” With the support of the Welsh Local Government Association, the Welsh Government will make £33m available to help local authorities continue to provide free school meals; this is the equivalent of £19.50 a week per child.  Gower Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans AM, has welcomed the Welsh Government announcement that there will be support up to £6.3m for hospices in Wales during the Covid-19 outbreak. Rebecca Evans AM said: “Hospitals provide crucial and compassionate care, and this funding will enable them to continue to provide their services through this crisis.” The funding comes from the £1.1bn fighting fund created by the Welsh Government to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The funding for hospices is a three-month package of additional support worth up to £6.3m for Welsh hospices. Rebecca Evans added: “The restrictions that are in place due to the pandemic have led to a drastic drop in income for hospices as fundraising events are cancelled, charity shops closed and campaigns paused. But at the same time, the vital work of hospices must continue. I am very grateful to all those working in hospices for all they are doing to support people and families at this most difficult of times. Notes: On 30 March, the Welsh Government announced plans to release more than £1bn for a fighting fund for the economy and public services. Together with the additional support for business, including a package of rate reliefs, this brings the total funding available to more than £2bn to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic in Wales. |
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Neither The National Assembly for Wales, nor Rebecca Evans AM are responsible for the content of external links or websites.