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

Organisations providing social, leisure or recreational activities in Carmarthenshire are being urged to promote their services on a new Welsh social care and well-being information website. The Dewis Cymru website consists of a series of information pages designed to help people with their well-being and is a resource directory of groups and community services. It’s the place to go for people who want information or advice about well-being – whether that’s their own well-being or the well-being of a family member or friend. Twenty local authorities across Wales are now involved in the Dewis Cymru project. Local information is available for North Wales, Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf. All are actively using the website to support the provision of information and advice in their area. Carmarthenshire is currently in the development process. You can upload your information directly on the website. Visit: www.dewis.wales

The safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and adults in Mid and West Wales is the focus of a new website launched this week. The website can be accessed via two addresses - www.cysur.wales and www.cwmpas.wales It has been developed by the regional safeguarding boards for children and adults, CYSUR and CWMPAS. The purpose is to provide an information-sharing hub accessible to members of the public and professional agencies across the whole region – encompassing Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys. It also supports the safeguarding boards’ vision of professional agencies working together to promote safety and wellbeing, says Julie Breckon, manager of CYSUR and CWMPAS. “The website can be used by parents and carers, children and young people, adults at risk of harm, teachers, health professionals, police officers, probation officers, youth workers, voluntary agencies, and community members,” she said. “It will provide up to date safeguarding news, information ...

A new project team has been appointed to drive forward plans for a Wellness and Life Science Village in Llanelli. The project, which is estimated to cost in excess of £100million, is being delivered through the Swansea Bay City Region partnership. Work has begun to detail what will be included at the site, but elements which may be included are a wellness/leisure centre, hydrotherapy pool, Institute of Life Science@ Hywel Dda, expansion of the Joint Clinical Research Facility to recruit for clinical trials, a Health and Wellbeing Centre, hotel and conferencing and high spec business facilities. The new team tasked with delivering the vision is being headed by project manager Sharon Burford, supported by Steffan Jenkins and Bjorn Rodde. Sharon, originally from Aberdare, lives with her husband in Mynydd Y Garreg and works for Hywel Dda University Health Board. Her career began with the Welsh Development Agency focused on economic regeneration and inward investment. Recently she was ma...

Community members over the age of 50 were all invited to attend the Add to Your Life Health and Wellbeing event held at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. Hosted by the Carmarthenshire Communities First team, the Add to Your Life event had everyone learning and trying something new together, with an information market place exhibiting the services of 35 local organisations, activity taster sessions including golf and yoga, and a full timetable of talks and demonstrations from organisations such as Public Health Wales, and the Stroke Association. The event focused on community members over the age of 50 gaining a better understanding of how to maintain their health and wellbeing and making attendees aware of the services which are available in their locality which can assist them to maintain their health. The Communities’ First team aims to contribute, alongside other programmes, to narrowing the health, skills, economic and education gaps between disadvantaged and affluent areas. To find ou...

The latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board - This Healthy Wednesday have less salt please! Having too much salt is bad for your health so this Healthy Wednesday we are helping you cutback on it. Salt can lead to Hypertension (raised blood pressure) which increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and heart attacks, the leading causes of death and disability in the UK. However, small amounts of salt are essential for our body to function - adults need less than 1 gram per day and children need even less. Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health said: “On average we all eat approximately 8.6g of salt per day, far more than we need and more than the recommended maximum of 6g per day. “Simply reducing your salt intake can lower your blood pressure and the risk of disease. “You can take control of your salt intake when preparing food at home by reading the labels and not adding salt, especially before you taste your food! “Eating out it can be more difficul...

A Communities First team has held two events to promote health and wellbeing and careers. Felinfoel Communities First along with all the other Communities First areas in Carmarthenshire (Glanymor and Tyisha, Pantyffynnon, Bigyn 4 and Llwynhendy) organised the events on two consecutive days at the Antioch Event Centre, in Copperworks Road, Llanelli. The first was a Health Event involving service providers promoting their services as well as workshops for the community to help to improve people’s overall health and wellbeing. The second event was a Careers Event involving service providers promoting their services and workshops for the community to enable or help them to return to work.