Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Two high-flying consultant psychiatrists from Hywel Dda University Health Board are celebrating after winning prestigious awards from the British Medical Association (BMA). Dr Justin Cressey-Rogers and Dr Matthew Sargeant came first in their respective categories in Teaching and Learning Innovation and Outstanding Achievement at the BMA Cymru Wales/ BMJ Clinical Teacher of the Year Awards for 2017. Dr Cressey-Rogers has been involved in teaching medical students from Cardiff and Swansea universities, and teaching junior doctors in west Wales and Swansea. Dr Cressey-Rogers is currently a consultant in psychiatry of substance misuse at CDAT Penlan, Carmarthen, and also works in community adult psychiatry, as well as working closely with substance misuse workers in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. He said: "“I’m absolutely delighted to have won this award – it’s been a team effort and special mention must go to the postgraduate centre and to Dr Sargeant, without wh...

World cup cyclist Manon Lloyd was among 12 sporting talents crowned winners at the Carmarthenshire Sports Personality Awards on Friday. At a glittering ceremony, hosted by Radio Carmarthenshire presenter, Jay Curtis, winners from across the county were honoured for their achievements at Y Ffrwnes Theatre. The event rewards and honours people of all ages and abilities who contribute to sport in Carmarthenshire. The awards are organised by Carmarthenshire Council's sport and leisure team and recognise the sporting achievements of athletes, coaches and volunteers across Carmarthenshire. Executive board member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Once again the quality of entries received this year was outstanding and it really does get more difficult for the judging panel year on year. What a great night it was celebrating the huge wealth of sporting talent we have here in Carmarthenshire.” Manon Lloyd was named Sports Personality of the Year for her outstanding s...

The Aberystwyth Students’ Union Teaching Awards, now in their sixth year, are open for nominations. Organised annually by Aberystwyth Students’ Union, and supported by the University, the awards offer the opportunity to recognise the contribution of staff (both teaching and non-teaching) and academic representatives across the University for the work they do throughout the academic year. Students are currently being invited to recognise staff and fellow student representatives by nominating individuals or departments for one of thirteen awards. The award categories for 2017 are: · Lecturer of the Year · Support / Service Staff Member of the Year · Academic Representative of the Year · Supervisor of the Year - Postgraduate · Supervisor of the Year - Undergraduate · Department of the Year · Hyrwyddwr yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Champion) · Postgraduate Teacher of the Year · Innovative Teaching Award · ...

Carmarthenshire County Council’s social care staff have been recognised for their work in a national awards ceremony. Five staff members and two teams were commended by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Wales at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. The council was rewarded with certificates of merit in every category in the prestigious annual awards, and Cllr Eryl Morgan, Chair of Council, recently met the staff involved to congratulate them on their achievements. Team Manager Kenneth Lloyd, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Certificate of Merit for his commitment to mental health social work. This coincided with Kenneth’s recent retirement and recognised the difference that he has made to the lives of vulnerable individuals during his working career. Social worker Janet Davies was also commended for her lifetime commitment to working directly with service users as well as her high standard of social work. Assistant Team Manager, Jan Evans, was recognised in the Innovative Soc...

A School-University Partnership Initiative run by Aberystwyth University has been highly commended by the leading organisation for sustainable development in Wales. The Sustainability Network Wales (SusNet) Project, is a School-University partnership which enables sixth form students in Ceredigion to engage with a range of research-led academic modules, delivered by departments across Aberystwyth University. Although diverse in content, each module shares the common theme of sustainability and/or social responsibility. The four year project is funded by Research Councils UK. The Sustain Wales Awards 2016, organised by Cynnal Cymru–Sustain Wales, celebrate sustainability excellence, innovation and leadership across Wales. Aberystwyth University’s SusNet project was highly commended in the Sustainable FE/HE Institution category at the awards. This year’s awards ceremony, sponsored by Llyr Gruffydd AM, took place in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on 17 November to an audience of national a...

It was a night of success for the Hywel Dda nursing team with three winners and two runners up at this year’s RCN Wales Nurse of Year Awards 2016. These annual awards celebrate nurses who demonstrate excellence in practice, a passion for the nursing profession and exemplify distinction in care, leadership, service and innovation. Huge congratulations go to Jane James, Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist, named the winner of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Award, Linzi Shone, Senior Ward Sister on Ystwyth ward at Bronglais Hospital won the Registered Nurse (Adult) Award and there was a hat-trick with Jacqueline Jones winning the Community Nursing Award. Also up on the night were Margaret Meleady, Clinical Lead Theraputic Day Services, for the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Award and Sarah Jones, Senior Research Nurse and Dr Helen Trench, Research Nurse for the Research in Nursing Award. Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Bernardine Rees OBE said: “I am incredi...

Aberystwyth University has been awarded EcoCampus Gold Award following an independent audit of its environmental management system. The award recognises the University’s commitment to improving its environment and sustainability, and paves the way for securing the EcoCampus Platinum Award and the internationally accredited ISO14001 environment standard. Among the initiatives undertaken during 2016 is the replacement of old campus street lights with low energy LED lights, which is expected to yield an 80% reduction in electricity consumption. New bike shelters have been installed as the University seeks to encourage more students and staff to cycle to work, and work on sowing wildflower seeds and planting bulbs – more than 50 different varieties - has been continuing apace to boost biodiversity and encourage wildlife on campus. Also highlighted as good practice is the upgrading of the C66 Llandinam laboratory which is currently underway. Covering water, energy, waste, health and wellb...

Across Carmarthenshire there is an abundance of sporting talent aided by coaches and volunteers. Every year, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Sports Personality Awards recognise their achievements and celebrate their success. The deadline is fast approaching for nominations for the sporting stars of 2016 who will be honoured in a glittering ceremony taking place in Ffwrnes Theatre on Friday, February 3 Categories include Sports Personality, Young Sportsman and sportswoman, Disabled Sportsman and sportswoman, Sports Coach, Sports Volunteer, Young Volunteer, Team of the year, Young Team of the year, Community Sport Coach and High Performance Coach, Outstanding Services to Sport and Sporting Hall of Fame. The awards, now in its 19th year, are organised by the council’s sports and leisure team and recognise the achievements of athletes, coaches and volunteers across Carmarthenshire. Executive board member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We have an abundance of spo...

A celebratory event to mark the success of a project aimed at improving population health by promoting health and wellbeing in primary care settings has been held in Carmarthen. Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Public Health team marked the success of the Lifestyle Advocates: Promoting Health in Practice project with a special ceremony at St Peter’s Civic Hall, Nott Square. The Lifestyle Advocates project is a development programme, carried out in conjunction between public health and primary care, and aims to enable enthusiastic individuals to become skilled Advocates for healthier lives and promote wellbeing and prevention in their settings. More than 30 primary care staff have taken part in this new, innovative programme; gaining confidence in how to raise and discuss health promoting life changes and linking with local support groups and services. They have reported changing their own health behaviour as well as supporting patients to live healthier lives. The Cluster areas ...

Two star Carmarthen pupils have been thrust into the limelight for their commitment and dedication both in and out of school. Luke Richards and Britany Day of Rhydygors School are celebrating after winning top awards at Radio Carmarthenshire’s Young Achiever Awards 2016 earlier this month. Luke took the Outstanding Secondary Progress Award for turning his life around despite being diagnosed with Autism. Britany, aged 15 and suffers with symptomatic residual dysplasia of her right hip, walked away with the Young Carers Award for caring for her family and younger siblings. The council’s executive board member for education, Cllr Gareth Jones said: “What a remarkable achievement for these two young students despite being faced with their own personal struggles. Their education continues to flourish and they really are a credit to the school. Well done Luke, Britany and the teaching staff at Rhydygors.” In 2014 ago Luke was refusing to go to school, engage in any school work and was gene...

In a ceremony held at Pembrokeshire College, Wards 11 and 12 won for their work promoting the Welsh language on their wards. This has included implementing the More Than Just Words framework, which aims to improve services for those who need or choose to receive their care in Welsh, through the use of magnets to identify Welsh speaking patients. Using these magnets enables staff to provide the’ active offer’ reminding all staff that they have a responsibility to recognise and accept responsibility to respond to language need as an integral element of care. Wards 11 and 12 staff also held a successful St David’s Day event to welcome new overseas doctors to the area and to introduce them to the Welsh culture. Together with the UHB’s Welsh language services team, they provided a taster session for all staff to learn some Welsh in order to speak to patients. Enfys Williams, Welsh Language Services Manager said: “We’re very proud as a Health Board to have had an opportunity to sponso...

The search is on to find Carmarthenshire’s sporting stars of 2016. Nominations are now open for 13 categories at the annual Sports Personality ceremony to be held in February. Categories include Sports Personality, Young Sportsman and sportswoman, Disabled Sportsman and sportswoman, Sports Coach, Sports Volunteer, Young Volunteer, Team of the year, Young Team of the year, Community Sport Coach and High Performance Coach, Outstanding Services to Sport and Sporting Hall of Fame. The awards in its 19th year are organised by Carmarthenshire Council's sports and leisure team and recognise the sporting achievements of athletes, coaches and volunteers across Carmarthenshire. Winners will be announced in a glittering event at Y Ffwrnes on Friday, February 3. Executive board member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Carmarthenshire has an excellent reputation in Welsh sporting circles. The awards provide an opportunity to congratulate and honour the county’s accomplis...

Following winning the Best Actress award for her role in By Any Name (2016) at this year’s North Wales International Film Festival, Samira Mohamed Ali has just been cast to play co-lead in the powerful feature film Crushed Wings. Principal photography will take place in July 2016 where the team will film in the UK, India and Nepal. In an interview today, the Writer and Director of Crushed Wings Lalit Bhusal of Cam Buddha Films said: “We are extremely excited to have Samira as part of the lead cast for this film, which will highlight issues of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Asian countries, which include India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and many more countries. Crushed Wings will be the voice of those who have suffered, and for those who are presently suffering unknowingly. It will also bring issues affecting FGM to the wider audience. FGM causes physical and emotional pain, and our research shows that the issues have been raised in the past by media and governments, but th...

The School of Education and Lifelong Learning was crowned Department of the Year at this year’s Student-Led Teaching Awards at Aberystwyth University. The winners of 11 awards, as nominated by students, were announced during a glitzy ceremony held in Medrus. Lecturers, support staff and student representatives were all honoured with accolades at the annual awards ceremony hosted by the Students’ Union, with the support of the University. This year’s coveted Department of the Year award was presented to the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. Elizabeth Titley, a postgraduate student in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “The ethos of the entire department is to ensure that every student succeeds - not only academically, but personally. There is an extremely high standard of teaching within the department; outstanding personal tutors and lecturers who give useful and detailed feedback; a commitment to improving the employability skills of each and every student; ...

Organisations who excel in ensuring they are accessible to the one-in-six people in Wales who are deaf or hard of hearing are being encouraged to enter a prestigious awards. The Action on Hearing Loss Cymru Excellence Wales awards recognise businesses and organisations who take steps so that the 575,500 people in Wales who are deaf or have hearing loss can use their services. Action on Hearing Loss, formerly RNID, has been a charity supporting people who are deaf or have hearing loss since 1911, and launched the Excellence Wales awards last year in an effort to celebrate success and raise standards in the support organisations offer to staff and the everyday services available to people affected by the condition. The 2016 Excellence Wales awards are open to all public services, private companies and voluntary organisations providing services in Wales. Entries will be judged by a panel of people who are deaf or have hearing loss, and awards presented to the country’s three outstanding...

The 25th British Academy Cymru Awards are now open for entry with new eligibility criteria. Today, BAFTA Cymru launches call for entries for the anniversary year of Cymru Awards. Broader criteria ensures all Welsh talent working on UK productions now eligible. The 25th ceremony, which will celebrate Welsh talent across film and television production and craft and performance roles will take place on 2 October at St David’s Hall. Individuals and companies are invited to enter productions that have had their first broadcast transmission or screened at an approved film festival between 1 April, 2015 and 31 March 2016 by the entry deadline of 26 April. Having reviewed the eligibility criteria for last year’s Awards, BAFTA Cymru is now encouraging Welsh individuals who have worked on Welsh or UK productions – rather than solely Welsh productions – to enter into any one of the 16 craft and performance categories. This change will ensure that BAFTA in Wales can recognise the work ...

BRITISH THRILLER ‘BY ANY NAME’ AWARDED DOUBLE ACCOLADE BY INTERNATIONAL JURY Welsh production company Tanabi Films, who produced ‘By Any Name’ movie based on the best-selling novel by Katherine John has been awarded Best Feature Film produced in Wales and Best Actress accolade for Samira Mohamed Ali from a plethora of entries around at this year’s prestigious North Wales International Film Festival. Samira Mohamed Ali stars as leading lady Dr Elizabeth Santer, a psychologist, who is taken hostage by John West, which is played by lead Actor and Combat expert Cengiz Dervis. Samira, currently the UK ambassador for Cerebra charity, had to undergo intensive personal training in order to keep up with the physical demands of the role. In an interview today, Samira said: “I am thrilled to have won this award, being able to work in Wales and especially in Swansea and Brecon Beacons has been very exciting as most of my work to date has been overseas. I really enjoyed playing ...

Carmarthenshire County Council has launched its first ever award scheme to celebrate the difference tenants make in their communities. The 2016 Tenant 2 Tenant Awards, in association with Spice , will be an opportunity for tenants to nominate neighbours, friends and community volunteers for an award, a chance for them to say thank you for the efforts they make to go the extra mile to make other people’s lives better. There are 16 categories up for grabs, ranging from Pride In Your Patch project of the year, to volunteer of the year; fuel club of the year to young tenant of the year. There’s also best kept garden, and best room makeover, as well as recycling champion and Welsh language champion awards. An awards ceremony will be held in September, but before then, tenants have until June 30 to nominate worthy winners in each award category. A judging panel, led by Cllr Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing, will choose from the nominations submitted. “This is exciting news -...

It promises to be a great year for 16 projects across Wales, as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced awards worth over £3.5million. From Anglesey to Aberystwyth, Pembrokeshire to Pontypridd, groups are celebrating their funding success. Capturing the stories of South Wales miners, regenerating an important maritime town, unlocking the secrets of a treasured community collection and extending a local museum to attract more visitors are just some of the activities that will benefit from this latest round of National Lottery money. The legacy of the mines Mining has played a vital role in Welsh heritage and volunteers at the South Wales Miners’ Museum are leading a project that will look at the social history and legacy of the coal industry in the Afan and Llynfi valleys. Local young people will become actively involved through placements and training while students are also set to benefit from the museum’s active involvement in the Welsh Baccalaureate. Mair Boast from the m...

Hywel Dda University Health Board has announced the three finalists in the ‘Unsung Hero’ category at this year’s Best of Health awards. The Best of Health awards are an annual event organised by the University Health Board to recognise and reward the extraordinary achievements of its staff and volunteers, many of whom often go beyond the call of duty in their work for the benefit of patients and service users. This year, 110 entries were received from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. The winners will be announced at an official ceremony in January 2016 when the Chief Executive will also announce the winner for overall best entry. Lisa Gostling, Director of Workforce & Organisational Development said: “We are delighted with the number of entries received this year. Once again, people have found time to send in their nominations so that just some of the many achievements and inspiring work that is taking place across Hywel Dda University Health Board can be recog...