Rob's Weekly Round Up

07 July 2025

Hi everyone,

First things first – sincere apologies for not being able to send out my usual end of week message on Friday of last week, but that said – it’s a nice change to be able to start the week by telling everyone about all the good work that has been taking place across the organisation. 

On this note, I wanted to start, appropriately enough, by saying Shwmae Bawb!

That is the title of a regular newsletter put together by the Family Information Service (FIS) Team and sent to Social Services staff.

It aims to promote the Welsh language, inform colleagues of standards requirements and support them in using Cymraeg in the workplace.

Each instalment is a content-packed round-up that I’d encourage everyone in that directorate to take a look at, and those across the wider organisation.

This month’s update includes information about the journey of a Welsh learner, Gwyl Fach a Fro festival, the Urdd and National Eisteddfods, the Euro 2025 Women’s football tournament and more.  Diolch yn fawr to Sharon Miller for sharing this with me earlier in the week and a shout out to Becky Wickett and her team for taking the time to produce the information on a frequent basis – da iawn. 

Sticking with Social Care, applications are now open for the Childcare Offer for Wales for children born between April 1 and August 31, 2022. 

That offers funded childcare for three and four years olds if parents are working or in full-time education.

More information is available online or by calling 03000 628628.

We are now seven days into Disability Pride Month, which celebrates the disability community, promotes awareness of issues affecting this group, and advocates for positive change and inclusion. 

To mark the occasion, Abl, our staff disability network, invites colleagues to join them for a Disability Pride flag-raising ceremony outside the Civic Offices on Monday, July 14 at 4:15pm.

This will be followed by a relaxed gathering in the Dunraven Room (formerly the Corporate Suite), offering a chance to connect, share experiences, and learn more about Abl’s work to foster understanding and support across the Council.

The Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan will also be flying the Disability Pride flag at the Civic Offices on the same day at 12pm, with all also invited to attend that event.

There will be a series of articles published on Staffnet throughout the month, celebrating Abl and revealing some personal experiences from colleagues with disabilities.

Next, I wanted to pay credit to two members of the Healthy Living Team.

Firstly, Tom Geere who has played a pivotal role in the success of the Golden Pass scheme.

This is an initiative run jointly between the Council and Sport Wales that encourages over 60s to participate in more physical activity.

A Sport Wales publication recently hailed the project as sector-leading, highlighting the strength of its multi-agency approach, strategic partnerships, the use of data-driven insights, and the meaningful community engagement that has helped shape the programme and set priorities.

Karen Davies, Principal Healthy Living Officer, recognised Tom’s contribution by saying: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the outstanding work you and your partners have achieved through the Golden Pass project, part of the Vale 60+ Active Leisure Scheme.

“Sport Wales has recognised this initiative and this recognition is a testament to your dedication and collaborative efforts - well done and thank you for your continued dedication to this project.”

Dave Knevett, Operational Manager for Healthy Living and Performance, said: “I am really pleased that the excellent work you have been undertaking since joining us has been recognised by Sport Wales.  

“Everyone speaks so positively about the contribution you are delivering but also what a good person you are.  From the Council’s perspective, this is also a wonderful example of a crosscutting initiative given the positive impacts on social care, health, leisure etc.”

Policy Officer Jo Beynon added: “Congratulations Tom and team! Really lovely to see you and the project getting the recognition you deserve. We think of it such a great example of Age Friendly work! Everyone who meets Tom feels inspired so it's no surprise that the 50+ Forum are huge fans, as are Sian and I.”

I’d also like to make my own contribution to that list of positive comments and compliments.

“Well done, Tom. You have clearly made a big impression, not just on the Golden Pass Scheme and its participants, but also the other staff you work with. Thank you for your commitment and the difference you have made.”

Exercise Referral Professional Craig Nichol is another making a major impact in that department.

Craig recently ran the Barry Island 10k for the Mayor’s Charity, with many of his exercise referral service users sponsoring that effort.

The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) helps those who are inactive or have chronic conditions improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.

As his recent fundraising goes to prove, Craig is a big hit with those on the scheme, a fact supported by Cllr Marianne Cowpe, who wrote: “I don’t know what it’s like in the other gyms but Craig Nichol at Penarth is fabulous. I’ve been going to the gym since last October and see so many people in there in the main gym who have started off on the National Exercise Referral Scheme. Everyone I know speaks very highly of him. He is so knowledgeable and supportive. Keep hold of him!!”

Over 200 pupils from High Street, All Saints, Gladstone, Romilly, and Barry Island primary schools recently visited Whitmore Bay for a fieldwork day organised by Gwyn Nelson and the Coastal Management Centre Team.

Children learned about coastal erosion, flooding and local geology during a session that was educational and helped their social development.

The day's activities were designed not only to introduce pupils to the fundamentals of coastal management but also encourage collaboration and camaraderie ahead of their transition to Whitmore High School. 

Gwyn said: “It is an amazing opportunity for cluster schools to learn about their locality, whilst developing new friendships in preparation for their next phase of their educational journey. The pupils have been amazing!”

A Year 6 pupil from Barry Island Primary said: “It was an amazing day. I really enjoyed learning about coastal flood defences and tidal ranges. It was brilliant to work with a palaeontologist too!” 

Matt Gilbert from Barry Island Primary School added: “I would like to thank Gwyn and his team for all their support in developing an outstanding educational program for pupils in Barry. This has been a culmination of a wonderful working partnership over a five-year period.

To oversee over 200 pupils, develop their geological and geographical skills is a real privilege! They are certainly excited to meet their new friends in Whitmore High!”

Top work Gwyn. It is fantastic to hear that the work of you and your team is not only educating the next generation but also helping to shape their development. This is yet another excellent example of how work undertaken in different teams across the Council can inform and influence other parts of the organisation, demonstrating one of our core values – that we can achieve so much more when we work ‘together’ across departments. Fantastic stuff. 

From exploring the past to embracing the future, the Council’s Digital Team want help naming a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool that is designed to make finding and understanding Council policies easier.

Instead of searching through countless documents, the tool can find the right one, provide a clear explanation and even help draft emails based on the information.

The team are looking for a smart, catchy, original name that is professional but fun and colleagues can send their suggestions using this online form.

The best suggestions will go to a vote, while updates on the tool’s development will follow shortly.

As I write this week’s offering, I also want to give a quick diolch yn fawr / thank you to all those colleagues and members who attended the two member Expo events held in the Civic last week on Tuesday and Thursday. These are new events, designed to allow our Elected members with an opportunity to be briefed on current issues across the organisation and an opportunity to discuss issues and gather information from a range of service areas. 

It was great to see all departments well represented at the events to provide valuable insight into the workings of the Council and a powerful demonstration of the wide and varied nature of the work undertaken by our Council – thank you to you all. 

Lastly, Sustrans, a walking, wheeling and cycling charity, are running two cycle confidence sessions.

The first one is designed to help people who may not be confident cycling by providing tips on road position and which bike to choose.

That takes place on Teams on Wednesday, July 23 from 1pm until 1.45pm.

Another tutorial which focuses on bike maintenance, including how to repair a puncture, runs from 1pm to 1.30pm on Wednesday, July 30.

Thank you all for your efforts both during last week and, in advance, for this week – they are very much appreciated.

I hope everyone has a good week and keep up the good work!.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob