Last week, it was lovely to be able to welcome pupils and teachers from Ysgol Maesglas in Greenfield as they visited the Senedd on a school trip. The students were able to take a tour of the Senedd and visit the old chamber where they voted on whether the school should have a class pet and learnt about the role of the Welsh Parliament. I really enjoyed spending time talking about my role in the Welsh Government and my work as a Member of the Senedd and there were lots of thoughtful and impressive questions too! It was a pleasure to see so many of them being interested in making a difference, wanting to change things for the better and some of the students were keen to get involved with our Welsh Youth Parliament.
Also last week , I was busy in my capacity as Deputy Minister for Social Partnership promoting period dignity as a key part of the Welsh Government’s Period Proud Wales plan, which aims to integrate period dignity into schools and enhance educational resources on menstrual cycles. By normalising discussions, dispelling myths and ensuring access to resources like the Hwb – Busting the Myths educational tool, we can remove stigma and foster understanding. Period Proud Wales focuses on addressing period poverty and ensuring dignity, allocating £3.9 million for free period products in schools and communities. You can read more about it on my website at www.hannahblythyn.cymru/we-must-improve-education-around-menstrual-cycles-in-schools-says-hannah-blythyn-ms
This week in the Senedd, I made a statement to mark this year’s LGBT plus history month and to provide an update on the Welsh Government’s work on LGBTQ+ equality, one year on from the publication of our ambitious and far reaching LGBTQ+ Action Plan. In June, the Welsh Government published the LGBTQ+ Action Plan Tracker so that everyone can see the progress of the plan as well as providing information on specialist services to support Wales’ LGBTQ+ communities. As work moves forward in putting the actions in the LGBTQ+ Action Plan into practice, we continue to be clear that here in Wales we stand for unity over division, inclusion rather than exclusion and hope not hate.
Recently, Flintshire County Council took the decision that the disused Flint Child Health Clinic can be demolished without requiring planning permission. The former clinic on Borough Grove has been closed since 2016 after the services were relocated elsewhere and I know that it has been the site of much anti-social behaviour and vandalism, so I welcome the move to press ahead with its demolition. The council wants affordable housing to take its place in due course, subject to planning consent. I will be keeping a close eye on this site during the months ahead and I’d like to hear from any local residents about any issues or ideas they might have about transforming the site – you can contact me using any of the methods below.
Finally, I’d like to offer my congratulations to The Bookshop in Mold, which has been named as a regional & country finalist in the Independent Bookshop of the Year award. It’s great to have such a brilliant independent book shop on our doorsteps – it’s just one of the great independent shops that Mold has to offer – and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they win this year. The winners of each category are announced later in March, so good luck!
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.