Big Issue announces Cardiff debate with free tickets
The event, which will take place at Cornerstone, will feature a panel of experts including Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, and Rocio Cifuentes MBE, Children's Commissioner for Wales.
They will be joined by award-winning investigative journalist Will Hayward and Big Issue co-founder Lord John Bird.
The panel will discuss the future of Wales at the Big Debate on Wednesday, May 14.
The public are invited to attend for free and can bring questions for the panellists.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
It is part of a series of community events in Cardiff in mid-May, organised by the Big Issue to encourage community-led responses to societal issues.
The Welsh capital is the next destination of the Big Community Roadshow, with Big Issue teams coming to Cardiff from Monday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 14 to both report on and actively support issues facing people in poverty across South Wales.
The three-day line-up of events includes a five-a-side football tournament, which will be held on the evening of Tuesday, May 13 at Gôl Cardiff to raise funds for the Street Football Wales team to attend the International Street Football Tournament in Oslo this August.
Paul McNamee, UK editor of Big Issue, said: "Big Issue is born of the streets and works, at our core, by listening to those we exist to serve.
"Our Big Community Roadshows allow us to get closer to the action, and we're very excited to be bringing it to Cardiff this May.
"We've got a great series of activities in store, made possible thanks to our brilliant sponsor Wales & West Housing Association."
For more details, visit the Big Issue website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pembrokeshire Herald
3 hours ago
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Mr Chips reigns supreme in Pembrokeshire's best fish and chips poll
CAMPAIGNERS warned it will be 'impossible' to hold the Welsh Government to account on progress against its disabled people's rights plan due to a lack of concrete targets. Mark Isherwood, who chairs the Senedd's cross-party group on disability, raised concerns that many of the long-term objectives in the draft ten-year plan lack firm commitments. He said Natasha Hirst, who was part of ministers' disability rights taskforce, pointed to a lack of funding to implement the plan as well as a scarcity of clear, robust targets. Mr Isherwood also quoted Joe Powell, chief executive of All Wales People First, who said: 'For this plan to succeed we need the appropriate investment into the infrastructure and services to make this aspiration a reality. 'We need clear targets about how we are going to achieve this. Without these, it is very difficult to see how the plan will make a difference to disabled people in Wales.' The Conservative told the Senedd: 'Damian Bridgeman, who chaired the disability rights taskforce's housing and community working group, said the draft document was a smokescreen rather than a plan. 'He pointed to the absence of new money and a mechanism to track delivery of the action plan further, adding that, 'disabled people have been reviewed to death, what we need is action – and there's none of that here'.' He said Mr Bridgeman described the plan as a 'collection of vague intentions dressed up as progress', with 'no targets, no teeth and no real-world accountability'. Mr Isherwood, who has campaigned on disability rights for decades, warned the plan lacks a commitment to enshrine the UN convention on the rights of disabled people into Welsh law. The north Walian also warned the UK Government's plans to cut benefits risk further disabling people in Wales by compounding poverty and exclusion. During a statement on June 3, Jane Hutt described the plan as a landmark moment in the Welsh Government's commitment to ensuring an inclusive and accessible society for all. Wales' social justice secretary said: 'This plan is a ten-year blueprint for progress, designed to ensure its outcomes are realised through actions taken across government.' Ms Hutt cautioned that UK Government welfare reforms risk overlooking the circumstances and needs of disabled people, and more so in Wales than some other parts of the UK. Jane Hutt, secretary for social justice, trefnydd and chief whip She said the plan seeks to position Wales as a world leader in the social model of disability, which says people are disabled by barriers in society – not by their impairment or condition. Ms Hutt urged organisations and disabled people to have their say by responding to a consultation on the draft plan, which runs until August 7. Sioned Williams warned the plan has been a 'long time coming', with the taskforce set up after a 2021 report, entitled Locked out, into the impact of the pandemic on disabled people. Ms Williams told the Senedd: 'We must never forget that disabled people comprised 60% of deaths from Covid-19 in Wales, and many of those deaths were preventable and rooted in socioeconomic inequality.' Plaid Cymru's shadow social justice minister, Sioned Williams The Plaid Cymru politician stressed the importance of legally enforceable rights – 'rights that can literally be the difference between life and death'. Ms Williams warned planned welfare cuts cast a long, dark shadow over the plan, saying: 'The removal of this vital support doesn't simply reduce income, it rips away the safety net that many disabled people rely on to live with dignity.' She called for assurances that disabled and neurodivergent people will no longer be detained in secure hospitals in Wales, as highlighted by the Stolen Lives campaign. Jenny Rathbone supported efforts to embed the social model of disability because 'it is society that needs to change, not the individual who happens to have an impairment'. But she recognised that a huge amount of work still needs to be done. Julie Morgan, a fellow Labour backbencher, said the plan clearly shows the Welsh Government's commitment to making Wales an open, inclusive and accessible place. But Conservative Laura Anne Jones warned the plan 'falls short in many critical areas', with disabled people still facing systemic barriers to work, transport and access to services. South Wales East MS Laura Anne Jones She said: 'With rising living costs and sweeping cuts to support services alongside welfare, this plan feels more like a statement of intent than a blueprint for real action.'
Rhyl Journal
5 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Annual model railway exhibition to make return to Prestatyn
An annual exhibition organised by Rhyl & District Model Railway Club, it will take place at Christ Church Parish Church and Community Hall, on High Street, on June 28 (10.30am-4pm). it is adopting a "little and large, old and new' theme this year, due to the variety of small and large scales represented among the layouts. The show will feature working layouts from "N" and "009" scales, through "OO" (the most popular scale), up to "O", "G" and "16mm:1ft" scales, as well as modelling demonstrations, club and retail sales stalls, plus light refreshments. Some of the exhibits which will be on display at this year's show (Image: Martyn Wild) Full disabled access is available, while visitors can also find out more about this the club, which meets twice a week. Exhibition organiser Martyn Wild said: "We are really excited to be holding our town centre summertime show again, particularly with this year seeing widespread events celebrating 'Railway 200' across the UK, to mark the bi-centenary of railways. 'Indeed, we have a layout which features a procession of trains from the past two centuries running on it, as well as the highly popular, large working layout of traditional 'O' gauge Tinplate Toy trains from the past 125 years, neatly highlighting the 'old and new' part of the theme. 'Following on from the success of last year's show, we hope to show visitors that, far from dying out, the model railway hobby is, in fact, thriving. 'Whilst it is true that many modellers now connect through social media rather than in physical model railway clubs, we hope to show that the social experience of club membership still brings huge positivity and benefits to those involved. 'Without clubs, most model railway exhibitions up and down the country simply would not happen.' As part of the club's ongoing aim to help Welsh charities, it has chosen to support Blood Bikes Wales this year, which is an entirely volunteer-led organisation based in Wales. Some of the exhibits which will be on display at this year's show (Image: Martyn Wild) It provides free courier services to the NHS, delivering blood samples, plasma, donated human milk, documents and other items throughout Wales. Admission to the event costs £5 for adults (cash only), with up to two accompanied children (five to 15 years old) permitted free entry.
North Wales Live
5 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Ryan Reynolds' new £50m sports project and net worth after Hollywood divorce
Ryan Reynolds has again made headlines by partnering with another Hollywood star to purchase a sports team. It follows the remarkable success of his acquisition of Wrexham AFC with Rob McElhenney. After guiding Wrexham AFC from non-league obscurity to the Championship in just four seasons, and achieving an unprecedented three consecutive promotions, Reynolds and McElhenney have put the Welsh club firmly on the global map. Now, they are tantalisingly close to reaching the Premier League, which would cap off their fairytale story. But already Reynolds is embarking on a new sporting adventure with his friend and fellow actor Hugh Jackman, known for their roles in Deadpool and Wolverine. The duo has announced ownership of an Australian sailing team, the BONDS Flying Roos, competing in the high-profile SailGP international sailing competition. This event has attracted investment from celebrities like Kylian Mbappe, Anne Hathaway, Sebastian Vettel, and Deontay Wilder. While Reynolds and McElhenney also have stakes in Club Necaxa, La Equidad, and the Formula One team Alpine, this venture marks Jackman's debut in sports ownership, reports Wales Online. "We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure," said Reynolds and Jackman. "Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing. "He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia." Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now The exact sum shelled out by Reynolds and Jackman for the team remains under wraps, but estimates suggest a joint investment of at least $50 million (£37 million). In light of the Wrexham co-owner's new venture, we took a look at how he made his huge fortune and the key figures who've been with him on the way. Astonishing net worth It's said that Reynolds possesses an eye-watering net worth estimated at $400 million (£295 million), earning his spot as one of Tinseltown's biggest earners. Forbes ranked the actor second among the world's highest-paid actors in 2024, his staggering earnings of £79 million placing him just a whisker behind Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Reynolds' prosperity was significantly boosted last year by his leading roles in the blockbuster Marvel flicks Deadpool and Wolverine, not forgetting the contributions from family hit IF and the Emmy-triumphant documentary Welcome to Wrexham. His wealth isn't solely from acting; his astute investments include nabbing a stake of up to 20% in Aviation Gin before flipping it in a colossal £443 million sale in 2020. Another savvy business move saw him sell a sizeable chunk of Mint Mobile to T-Mobile in 2023, resulting in a mammoth £997 million transaction that lined his pockets with more than £220 million. Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney have significantly invested in Wrexham AFC, reportedly contributing more than £20 million since their acquisition of the club in 2020. According to a 2023 episode of Welcome to Wrexham, the Hollywood pair encountered substantial financial loss of around $12 million (£8.9 million) post-takeover, eliciting a candid reaction from Reynolds who quipped: "I'm going to throw up." Life after divorce Reynolds, having finalised his Hollywood divorce, is happily married to Gossip Girl star Blake Lively. The couple met on the Green Lantern set and their romance quickly developed, resulting in one of Tinseltown's most cherished unions. They exchanged vows at a private South Carolina marriage ceremony and are proud parents to four children, James, Inez, Betty, and Olin. Lively has been seen supporting Wrexham AFC at the Racecourse Ground. She praised the town following the team's leap to the Championship in April with an enthusiastic Instagram tribute. "Back to back to back," she posted. "History was made. Congratulations to @wrexham_afc. I will never forget the love and elation in that town today. Thank you for sharing it with us always." She also commended her husband and McElhenney for their hard work, adding, "And to these two men, @robmcelhenney and @vancityreynolds ... the love and respect that pours out of you each and together exponentially grows and creates more joy, more possibilities, more magic, more history,". "This picture feels to me like a painting of all you do for so many, while being so present and appreciative of every moment." Before finding love with Lively, Reynolds was no stranger to high-profile relationships, having been engaged and married to some of the most well-known women in the entertainment industry. In 2004, he proposed to fellow Canadian Alanis Morissette, after meeting the singer at Drew Barrymore's birthday bash two years prior. They called it quits in 2007, with Morrissette attributing the pressures of fame as a contributing factor, but they have remained firm friends ever since. Reynolds - who has also been romantically linked to actresses Sandra Bullock, Melissa Joan Hart, and Charlize Theron - soon started dating actress Scarlett Johansson and they tied the knot in 2008, in a private ceremony in Vancouver. However, they split in 2010, with both Reynolds and Johansson confessing that their relationship crumbled due to their hectic schedules and a lack of quality time together. "We work and then go home," the actress later shared with Time Out. "I'd just stare at the wall for a few hours before I got to sleep." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Friendship with Rob McElhenney Despite overseeing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in football history together, Reynolds and McElhenney weren't exactly mates when they decided to purchase Wrexham, having only interacted with each other online on a handful of occasions. Contrary to common assumption, it wasn't Reynolds who initially had the idea to take over a football club. Instead, it was McElhenney who spearheaded the initiative after being inspired by British comedy writer and football enthusiast Humphrey Ker. Despite not having a particular interest in football, McElhenney found himself captivated by Ker's passion for Liverpool FC. Consequently, Ker suggested that he watch the Netflix series Sunderland 'Til I Die during the coronavirus lockdown. The series piqued the interest of the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star, leading him to the decision that he wanted his own football club to create a documentary about. Once the actor had established his budget, Ker assisted him in identifying some suitable options - with Wrexham standing out to McElhenney due to the club's rich history, fervent supporters and the need for fresh investment following the pandemic. He then approached Reynolds - who had previously messaged him about his favourite scene from Always Sunny - to try and secure additional funds for investment and to attach another high-profile name to the club. Reynolds was enthusiastic about the proposal and didn't want to be merely a sponsor, but a co-owner alongside McElhenney. In November 2020, the pair purchased the club for £2 million and the rest, as they say, is history - with the two now firm friends despite not meeting face-to-face until April 2021. McElhenney has since shared his close bond with Reynolds, calling him a "kind and generous soul, and somebody you can rely on." He praised the actor as a "truly inspiring person," and noted: "Our families have grown incredibly close, and even though we live on opposite coasts, we feel like we're right next to each other."
