Now that the summer holidays are truly upon us, my office has pulled together a helpful list of all the schemes, clubs and useful contacts to help families in Flintshire get the most out of the holidays and where help might be available. The summer holidays can be a testing time, not least in terms of finding things to keep younger children occupied, but it can also add extra pressures to household budgets. You can see the full list at www.hannahblythyn.wales/summer-schemes-and-clubs. If you know of anything not included in this list, please email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales and I’ll make sure it’s added.
If you live in Mold, Parkfields Community Centre is an wonderful resource for the community and during the holidays the centre has been running schemes like the community fridge – where you can get hold of basics like food and hygiene products for free – a warm welcome hub to have a chat and meet people, a kids club for primary school-aged children and a repair café to fix those broken appliances or toys. It’s a friendly place and well worth a visit – you might even be able spare some time to volunteer to help out at the centre.
On the subject of hygiene products, I’ve said before that period products are not a luxury item and should be available to everyone who needs them. I’m pleased that the Welsh Government has made £3.9m available for the Period Dignity Grant for this year, which ensures that not only are period products available in every school in Wales but are also widely available in a range of community venues, including food banks and pantries, libraries, youth centres, leisure centres and community hubs. This is all part of a scheme which aims to eliminate period poverty across the whole country.
And if you’re planning to enjoy Wales’ national parks and tourism areas during the summer, it’s worth noting that the Welsh Government last week announced a £5m Brilliant Basics fund to help local authorities and parks to develop their tourism offer – two projects in Flintshire have been awarded grants as part of the scheme, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley area of outstanding natural beauty and Discover Flintshire by Trails. The money will help both projects to improve signage and facilities, including improvements to the café, gallery and visitor centre at Loggerheads Country Park and a wildlife activity project.
As you’ll no doubt be aware, the National Eisteddfod kicked off last weekend in Boduan, near Pwllheli, and it’s good to see it return to north Wales this year. The festival – which is considered the largest poetry and music festival in Europe – is a truly remarkable event in the Welsh cultural calendar and I’m planning to visit this Thursday to see some of the events on the Maes. If you see me there, please say hello and I’ll practice my Welsh with you!
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 until an advice surgery.