Catch up with the stories making the headlines this week.
Charities are raising funds to give bikes to refugees in Norwich
Charities in Norwich are raising money to give bikes to asylum seekers and refugees. They say it’ll give them the independence to get around the city. Refugees live on thirty-seven pounds a week making it difficult to pay for public transport. But riding a bike could make a big difference to their everyday lives.
One in seven girls in the UK struggle to afford sanitary products
A lollipop lady in Tredegar has been celebrating her last day after forty years in the job
Facebook Live Interview with Jessica Davies from ITV’s School for Stammerers
Jessica Davies joins us on ITV Wales to talk about her amazing journey to overcoming her stammer and what it was like to take part in ITV’s School for Stammerers.
Cardiff campaigners have been fighting to save the trees in their local park
People living near a park in Cardiff have managed to halt what they call the “senseless destruction” of ancient trees in their area.
The controversial plan which would see around 40 of the trees felled, was needed to protect homes and local businesses, according to Natural Resources Wales.
But, in a dramatic stand off, contractors were forced to suspend the work as residents refused to abandon their protest.
Hundreds march in protest against racism in Cardiff
Protesters took to the streets of Cardiff yesterday to fight against racism.
The march, organised by Stand Up To Racism, was held on the UN Anti-Racism Day.
Juhel Miah, a teacher from Swansea who was banned from entering the US on a school trip, gave a speech about his experiences. Mr Miah described how officials removed him from a plane in front of his students. He says it was because of his name and the colour of his skin. When asked if he would try to go to America again, Mr Miah said:
I always wanted to go to New York, ever since I watched Home Alone as a child. I’m not going to give up.
There were speeches from politicians including Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, Jenny Rathbone Cardiff Central AM, Jo Stevens Cardiff Central MP, and Deputy Leader of Cardiff, Sue Lent.
Leanne Wood said, “Intolerance is on the…
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Cardiff artists are fighting to save a graffiti walkway
More than 900 people have signed a petition to protect artwork on the Millennium Boardwalk in Cardiff City Centre.
The boardwalk has hosted artists and hip hop musicians from around the UK. Artists say there were plans in the pipeline for cultural festivals and events to take place in the area.
Graffiti artist Amelia ‘Unity’ Thomas started the petition, she says the boardwalk’s a non-threatening environment for people to get involved with graffiti culture.
“There’s so much potential with this space. It’s important for many people as well as being a draw for tourists. Graffiti culture is relevant to young people who may have had chaotic lives and disadvantaged backgrounds. It gives them an opportunity to engage with something.”
Another artist, Matt Woodward, comes from Gloucester to paint on the boardwalk. He says, “It brings colour and character to Cardiff.”
Keiron Jones, who runs the first ever Welsh graffiti store in Cardiff city centre says there are serious messages behind some of the artwork.
Mr Jones, from Oner Signs & Leisure on Church Street, says some of the art is memorial pieces to people who have died.
Another significant piece of artwork on the wall is the section dedicated to victims of domestic violence. The writing lists names of women who were killed in 2016, “Most by a man they loved.”
A spokesperson from Cardiff City Council says, “It was agreed the Millennium Walkway could be used as a legal street art wall for a short period of time. This area will be used to publicise the UEFA Champions League Final in the week prior to the match on 3rd June and we are looking for an alternative location for the artists and will continue to work with the promoters on this.”
Cardiff among the worst recyclers in Wales
Welsh Government figures show only 57% of rubbish in Cardiff is recycled, that’s 5% less than the national average.
Recycling is on the increase in Cardiff, but it’s lagging behind some other Welsh counties. In Ceredigion they recycle 70% of their waste and Cardiff City Council wants the capital to match this amount by 2020.
The Council has launched a new campaign “Recycle Responsibly” to help people understand what can and can’t be recycled .
It says some people are confused about what should go in their bins with items such as food, shredded paper and even dead animals being thrown into green recycling bins.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Bob Derbyshire, says “One of the things you notice with campaigns is people do things, but then slip back into old habits.
“We need people to consistently recycle or there will be a negative impact on the environment.
“If people think that it might be recyclable and it’s a dry item then they should put it in their recycling bags because we can always separate it later.
“The biggest problems come from wet items, shredded paper, and plastic bags being put in green bins. These contaminate other rubbish, maker it harder to recycle.”
The campaign is on going.
Mental illness affects nearly 8,000 NHS workers in Wales
Mental illness is the biggest reason for staff missing work in the NHS in Wales.
That’s according to a freedom of information request by the Welsh Conservatives.
According to the figures obtained from the seven NHS Boards in Wales staff, staff at Cardiff and the Vale have missed the highest number of working days in Wales as a result of mental health issues.
The Shadow Health Minister, Angela Burns AM, says, “To our horror, we found it was mental health reasons that were coming out top as the reason why people were taking long and short term absences from work. The work is very tiring, very taxing, and very physically demanding. There’s a huge amount of pressure. The results point to a lack of support to help staff through these crises.”
Cardiff and Vale Action for Mental Health says mental health problems affect one in four adults in the UK. It says mental illness can affect people in any career.
A Welsh Government spokesperson says, “NHS Wales is taking action to support staff and reduce sickness rates. This includes promoting the health and well-being of staff and providing staff with practical support to remain in work, or to return to work following an illness.”
