Rob's Weekly Round Up

19 September 2025

Helo Bawb,

September always feels like a fresh page. For many, it marks the start of the school year and brings with it the sense of new beginnings, fresh energy, and the chance to take stock of the months gone by. 

It’s a natural moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved so far, consider what we might do differently, and look at how we can continue to grow and improve together.

It’s also fitting that this week is National Inclusion Week - a reminder to pause and reflect on what inclusion means to us individually and as an organisation. 

This year, from 15th to 21st September, the focus is sharper than ever with the powerful theme Now is the Time.

It invites every organisation, team, and individual to assess where we are on our inclusion journey and where we want to go next. 

Inclusion is not static - it requires continuous commitment and learning and encourages us to embed inclusion into everything we do - from the way we recruit and promote, to how we listen, support, and create a sense of belonging for everyone. 

It's a reminder that our efforts must be both sustainable and adaptable to the evolving needs of Vale colleagues and also that of our communities.

With that in mind, I’d like to share a video that was put together by colleagues where they explained exactly what inclusion means to them:

 

 

Just as the new season invites us to think about new approaches, this National Inclusion Week invites us to consider how we can make our workplace even more inclusive by ensuring that every voice is heard, every contribution is valued, and everyone feels a sense of cynefin (belonging) in the Vale.

Placing inclusion at the heart of what we do is not just about reflection - it’s about action. A powerful example can be seen in the recent transformation of a retail space in Penarth into the new Hubbub shop for Ysgol y Deri learners. 

Volunteers from Morgan Sindall, CS Flooring, Ian Williams Carpentry, Whiteheads Building Services as well as Vale colleagues offered their time, resources and skills to bring the new Hubbub shop to life.

The Hubbub shop aims to create a welcoming and functional space where pupils can gain hands-on experience in retail, customer service, and shop management, all within a supportive and inclusive environment.

Stacey Long, Post-16 Transition Lead at Ysgol y Deri, said: “It’s been incredible to see so many people come together for such a meaningful cause.

"The generosity and enthusiasm from our volunteers have made a real difference, and the learners are already excited about what’s to come.”

The Hubbub project shows how inclusion can be lived out in practical, meaningful ways. It reminds us that when we work together to remove barriers and open doors, we create spaces where everyone has the chance to contribute, grow, and thrive.

Caring for our communities means not only creating valuable opportunities through projects like the Hubbub shop, but also being there for people when they need us most. 

Recently, a resident reached out through our contact centre seeking urgent help with care for his father, who is living with Alzheimer’s.

Within a day of being assigned the case, Vale social worker Tom James had promptly contacted the family, arranged a date for a visit and made several suggestions that could make a big difference in the life of the resident’s father.

The swift, compassionate response from colleagues in Social Services showed not only the professionalism, but also the deep care that is at the heart of excellent public service. Da iawn pawb!

In other news, I had the pleasure of dropping into the Community Library Soirée on Wednesday at Penarth Pier Pavilion.

It was a wonderful evening dedicated to celebrating the incredible work of our five Community Library branches and, most importantly, the volunteers who make them thrive.

The event was also a chance to connect, network, and share experiences in an informal setting – and it brimmed with conversations, laughter, and of course, optimism for the future of our community libraries.

It was inspiring to see so many people come together to celebrate the positive impact these spaces have on local life in our communities.

As Jordan Forse, Libraries and Cultural Services Manager, put it: “Our community library branches are a vital part of our service, providing welcoming, vibrant spaces for local people. 

“The work our volunteers do is nothing short of incredible – they are the heart of these libraries, and the reason they thrive. It was a privilege to spend the evening celebrating them, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together in the future.”

Our community libraries are truly special places - shaped by volunteers, rooted in the community, and open to all. If you haven’t visited one recently, I’d encourage you to pop into your local branch.

Celebrating good work also means looking at how, together, we’re making the Vale a great place to work, live and visit – which is one of our five wellbeing objectives as an organisation. 

A recent accolade for Whitmore High School highlights this perfectly as the school has been named one of the Best Workplaces in Education and Training in the UK in 2025 - a recognition that speaks not only to the school’s commitment to creating a great workplace for staff, but also to the wider work across the Vale to create environments where everyone can thrive.

The school was recognised in the ‘Small and Medium’ category, following positive anonymous feedback from staff, who highlighted a strong sense of pride and a collaborative team ethos as key contributors to their positive working environment.

Staff reported feeling empowered to grow professionally in all roles, supported by a leadership approach that promotes research-based innovation and inclusive decision-making.

This recognition is not only a proud moment for Whitmore High School, but also a reminder of what can be achieved when we place wellbeing, collaboration, and inclusion front and centre. Gwaith arbennig!

Following a similar theme - wellbeing isn’t just about our workplaces - it also extends to our personal lives and our own aspirations for the future - and as part of Pensions Awareness Week this week, a number of webinars with My Money Matters gave staff the chance to learn more about pensions and planning for retirement. 

Understanding our financial wellbeing is vitally important, and support financial matters will continue in October with another practical and supportive webinar delivered by Affinity Wealth. 

This session will guide staff through key areas such as understanding personal taxation and take-home pay, budgeting and reviewing outgoings, managing borrowing and improving credit scores, as well as creating savings strategies and understanding investment risks.

More information about the October session is available here.

On the subject of learning, there are more opportunities for staff to begin their Dysgu Cymraeg journeys with a new round of introductory lessons starting on the 29th September.

The 10-week one hour Introduction to Welsh classes are perfect for beginners or anyone looking to get back into the language. 

For the full list of course dates as well as sign-up information, click here.

Finally, The Pod at Golau Caredig will be hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning on 26 September 2025 between 10:00am and 12:00pm, and all staff are warmly invited to come along. It’s a fantastic opportunity to help raise funds for a good cause, while also enjoying a slice of cake and a hot drink in good company.

As well as supporting Macmillan, the event is also great chance for colleagues from across different departments to visit The Pod, connect with the team there, and find out more about the important work that happens there.

As always - thank you for your efforts this week – they are very much appreciated.

For those not in work, enjoy a restful and relaxing couple of days off over the weekend.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob