At the weekend we celebrated International Women’s Day and this year’s theme was Give To Gain. Giving isn’t about losing something, it’s about intentional multiplication – when women thrive, we all rise. In the Senedd, I’ve seen how giving time, platform and power to women’s voices changes outcomes. From pushing for stronger action to tackle workplace sexual harassment, to championing trade unions, mentoring and visible leadership, progress happens when we actively support one another.

As part of my work in the Senedd I chair the Standards of Conduct Committee, where we have just published our inquiry into dignity and respect, which aims to introduce more independence and support into the complaints process in the Senedd. The report makes clear that everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work and that those who come forward with concerns about bullying or harassment must have the confidence that they will be heard and supported. This year that message feels especially important – when we give that support to others, we gain stronger institutions, fairer workplaces and real progress towards equality. Whether it’s giving your time, sharing knowledge, backing a colleague, calling out injustice or creating opportunities – every action counts.

Last week also saw World Book Day, an opportunity to share our love of reading and to encourage children to discover the joy of books – whether that’s reading to them, recommending a story or letting them dress up as their favourite character from a book! Reading has always been a big part of my life. I spend many hours with a good book, sometimes to switch off, but often to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing us here at home in Wales and around the world. Reading The AI Con by Emily Bender and Alex Hanna, for example, has helped inform the questions I’ve raised in the Senedd about AI and what it means for our communities and future jobs and last month I revisited Chris Bryant MP’s book – James And John – as part of my LGBT+ History Month reading. Since the last World Book Day I’ve continued to enjoy a number of great reads from the fantastic Mold Bookshop and I would encourage others to take a look at what the shop has to offer.

In the Senedd last week, I raised the subject of skills in the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee (ETRA), specifically looking at how skills and apprenticeships are linked with the major investments coming to North Wales – from Wylfa and offshore wind at Awel y Môr to the new train station at Deeside Industrial Park and the investment zone in Wrexham and Flintshire. I asked how the new level 2 construction apprenticeship will align with these projects in the pipeline and how we build on what’s already working, like the RWE-supported course at Coleg Llandrillo in Rhyl, so communities right across North Wales truly benefit. Importantly, the Welsh Government has now hit its target of 100,000 apprenticeship starts during this Senedd term. You can see many of my contributions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn.

Recently, Welsh Labour announced a commitment to invest £4bn in building the hospitals of the future across Wales, including the redevelopment of Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The announcement came as significant NHS investment is already being delivered in the region, including a major £33m redevelopment of the historic Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl. The new purpose-built facility will include a minor injuries unit capable of treating more than 20,000 people a year, which is expected to take pressure off Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, expanded radiology services, four dental suites and a 14-bed reablement unit bringing NHS and social care teams together. I’m proud to serve the community that shaped me in the Senedd and I know that the redevelopment of Wrexham Maelor Hospital is incredibly important for us here in North Wales – you can read more on this announcement at www.hannahblythyn.cymru/updates/welsh-labour-launches-senedd-campaign-major-nhs-investment-and-progress-north-wales-healthcare.

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/HannahBlythyn. 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.