Last week the Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced £3m worth of investment into facilities which will be used during the UEFA U19 Championship, which is coming to North Wales in 2026. Wales was awarded the U19 Championship by UEFA in September 2023 and the finals tournament will be used to celebrate the FAW’s 150th anniversary – eight teams will compete at the finals with seven teams having progressed through two qualifying rounds to join Cymru as the hosts. This is an excellent opportunity to show off our corner of Wales to the rest of Europe as the very best young talent from across the continent will come here – the tournament is known for featuring the stars of the future, with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haarland being previous participants.
Back in July, the Welsh Government outlined some of its approach to improving dentistry in Wales, and specifically in North Wales. Flintshire residents will be well aware of how difficult it is to get NHS dental treatment in our corner of Wales and it was good to see Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) invest in its dental services recently, notably providing another £3.5million to procure additional NHS contracts to add to the £1.5million already committed in the previous review. BCUHB hopes this will see much-needed additional activity delivered in areas of North Wales where access to NHS dental services is the most challenging and will be delivered through a combination of additional sessions at five existing practices and the creation of one new dental practice. While this welcome additional activity will go some way to replacing provision that has been lost in recent years, access to NHS dentistry is still very challenging across the region, as it is across the UK.
There is still time to have your say in the future of Wales’ cultural sector by taking part in the Priorities for Culture consultation, which closes on 4th September. The Welsh Government wants to hear people’s views on their vision for the culture sector, which focuses of three main priorities – bringing people together through culture, promoting Wales as a nation of culture and ensuring the culture sector is resilient and sustainable. If you want to give your views on the future of Wales’ arts organisations, museums, archives, libraries and the historic environment, go to www.gov.wales/consultation-draft-priorities-culture-wales-2024-2030-html.
Closer to home, the Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC) wants to give everyone the chance to say thank you to young volunteers in the area by nominating them or their organisations for the Young Volunteer Awards. Young people in Flintshire are doing some amazing things to help others and FLVC wants to celebrate and recognise their efforts – find out more at www.flvc.org.uk/flvcs-young-volunteer-awards-2024. And one of the area’s best-loved pubs, the Mold Alehouse, has been awarded the North Wales Camra Pub of the Year award – an accolade that’s well deserved. Llongyfarchiadau!
Earlier this year, Andys Man Club Deeside opened its doors at Coleg Cambria. Andy’s Man Club offers a safe space for men to open up, so that they might stop just one man from taking his own life – the organisation has seen so many faces take the brave first steps through their door and admit that they need a little bit of help. The groups are a safe, judgment-free space for any man 18+ to talk and meetings run every Monday from 7pm to 9pm (except bank holidays), so if you’re struggling and need help it might be worth going along. Your story matters and they are there to listen.
Finally, parents might be interested to hear that applications are open for the School Essentials Grant, which provides up to £200 to help with school costs for families. The grants are available to families on lower incomes and those who qualify for certain benefits and can be used for school essentials such as uniform, stationery and equipment. The 2024 to 2025 scheme will close on 31st May 2025. Even if your child already receives Universal Primary Free School Meals, it is still important to check eligibility – to find out if your child is eligible, visit www.gov.wales/school-essentials-grant. There is also a school uniform recycling stall at the Daniel Owen Centre, Mold, every Wednesday in August until 2pm and also at Tower Gardens in Holywell every Thursday until 1pm.
As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.