Latest news with #DawnBowden
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Newport children's home to welcome residents this summer
Ty Ash, located in Newport and operated by Action for Children, was visited by Dawn Bowden MS, minister for children and social care, on May 30 for a tour of the new therapeutic facility. The four-bedroom home will welcome its first residents this summer. Ms Bowden said: "I am pleased the Welsh Government has provided important funding to renovate Ty Ash and proud of the work we have done alongside Action for Children, the Regional Partnership Board and Newport City Council to get to this point. "This is about more than funding though – it's about transforming the care experience for children and young people. "By eliminating profit from the system, we are reinvesting in people, in communities, and in the principle that care should be driven by compassion, not commercial gain." Ty Ash was developed through the Housing with Care Fund (HCF), a Welsh Government programme designed to improve housing options for individuals with care and support needs. The home will provide 52-week residential placements for up to four children aged eight to 18, who are looked after by local authorities in the Gwent area. Laurie Ryall, Action for Children's director in Wales, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome the minister to our new children's home in Newport and see another HCF-funded project come to fruition. "We are very proud of our homes in Wales and the positive impact they have on young people that have often faced significant trauma." Ms Ryall said the minister had previously attended training on the charity's therapeutic approach and showed a genuine interest in its work with care-experienced children. Emma Coombs, Ty Ash's registered manager, said: "It's taken a lot of hard work to reach this point, but we are delighted with the home. "It's a beautiful property and we have finished it to a very high standard. "It's central to our whole philosophy that we make it a real home from home and I'm sure the children will quickly feel as comfortable and safe as possible in our loving environment."
Cambrian News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Cambrian News
Welsh parks helping children communicate
The Welsh Government's Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden said: "We want every child in Wales to thrive and know that communication is essential for their future. Children should be heard and supported to find their voice, in Welsh and English, regardless of their communication abilities.
South Wales Argus
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government ministers meet care experienced children
The Exploring Radical Reform Summit took place on May 11 and aims to help young people shape reforms to care services across Wales. Children aged nine to 14 in care joined 40 young leaders with care experience. Actor Michael Sheen, patron of Voices from Care Cymru, delivered special video messages to the attendees. Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government minister for children and social care, was in attendance to speak to attendees alongside the ministers for education, social justice, finance and Welsh language, and mental health and wellbeing, said: "Listening directly to young people with experience of care is essential to creating meaningful reform. "Including younger children for the first time this year brought fresh perspectives that will help us build a care system that truly meets their needs. "Their voices are not just being heard – they are actively shaping policy." She highlighted the relevance of the summit's timing, taking place in the same month as National Children's Day saying: "We want a Wales for all children, where every child feels valued, respected and heard." Young ambassador and co-chair of the event, Georgia Toman, said: "It really means a lot to care experienced young people that Welsh ministers spend time listening to us and taking us seriously."
Pembrokeshire Herald
12-05-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Cyclists power into Tenby for Carten100 2025
CHILDREN'S playgrounds and play spaces across Wales are to be improved so youngsters have better opportunities to play within their local communities. The Welsh Government is providing an extra £5m to local authorities to purchase items to improve the quality of play spaces, refurbish playgrounds and support the creation of inclusive and accessible play spaces. Playing positively impacts children and families and is vital in a child's development, helping them to build their confidence, resilience and self-esteem. When considering their proposals, local authorities are being asked to gather the views of people including children and their families on play provision in their area; consider play opportunities that are inclusive and encourage all children to play and meet together, and improve access and safety. Minister for Children, Dawn Bowden visited the refurbished Williams Field Lane playground in Monmouth where she met parents and children who benefit from the facilities. Funding from the Active Travel Fund has been used to enhance the playground through the Williams Field Lane active travel scheme. This has seen a mixture of planting, natural eco-friendly play areas, equipment such as swings and a host of eco-friendly equipment for children's development like hedgehog houses put in place. The play area is also used as a Forest School and for ecological work by Overmonnow Primary School, with the Active Travel network providing safe access. A parent whose child goes to Overmonnow Primary School, said: 'We use the park every day after school, it is lovely to let the children play together and decompress after the school day.' Another parent said: 'The park is nice, especially if we are slightly early, then we can use it. Also, at the end of the school day the park is nice to stop off at.' Minister for Children, Dawn Bowden said: 'We want a Wales where all children feel physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy and can access their right to play. 'Playgrounds, such as Williams Field Lane playground, are fantastic places for children to play, make friends and enjoy themselves. 'This month we celebrate National Children's Day. This funding will improve children's experiences and help them build confidence and develop their skills. 'We will continue to work with local authorities and partners to support our ambitions in improving opportunities to play and promote the benefits of play for children's wellbeing.' Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant said: 'By working closely with local authorities, we're helping to ensure children in Wales have access to safe and engaging places to play, particularly in areas where families may face additional challenges. 'Our £5m investment in these vital community assets is more than just improving playgrounds. It's about investing in our children's development and wellbeing – and building stronger, better-connected communities across Wales.' This funding was secured through the budget deal between the Welsh Government and Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
Pembrokeshire Herald
12-05-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
£5m to make playgrounds and play areas fun-tastic
CHILDREN'S playgrounds and play spaces across Wales are to be improved so youngsters have better opportunities to play within their local communities. The Welsh Government is providing an extra £5m to local authorities to purchase items to improve the quality of play spaces, refurbish playgrounds and support the creation of inclusive and accessible play spaces. Playing positively impacts children and families and is vital in a child's development, helping them to build their confidence, resilience and self-esteem. When considering their proposals, local authorities are being asked to gather the views of people including children and their families on play provision in their area; consider play opportunities that are inclusive and encourage all children to play and meet together, and improve access and safety. Minister for Children, Dawn Bowden visited the refurbished Williams Field Lane playground in Monmouth where she met parents and children who benefit from the facilities. Funding from the Active Travel Fund has been used to enhance the playground through the Williams Field Lane active travel scheme. This has seen a mixture of planting, natural eco-friendly play areas, equipment such as swings and a host of eco-friendly equipment for children's development like hedgehog houses put in place. The play area is also used as a Forest School and for ecological work by Overmonnow Primary School, with the Active Travel network providing safe access. A parent whose child goes to Overmonnow Primary School, said: 'We use the park every day after school, it is lovely to let the children play together and decompress after the school day.' Another parent said: 'The park is nice, especially if we are slightly early, then we can use it. Also, at the end of the school day the park is nice to stop off at.' Minister for Children, Dawn Bowden said: 'We want a Wales where all children feel physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy and can access their right to play. 'Playgrounds, such as Williams Field Lane playground, are fantastic places for children to play, make friends and enjoy themselves. 'This month we celebrate National Children's Day. This funding will improve children's experiences and help them build confidence and develop their skills. 'We will continue to work with local authorities and partners to support our ambitions in improving opportunities to play and promote the benefits of play for children's wellbeing.' Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant said: 'By working closely with local authorities, we're helping to ensure children in Wales have access to safe and engaging places to play, particularly in areas where families may face additional challenges. 'Our £5m investment in these vital community assets is more than just improving playgrounds. It's about investing in our children's development and wellbeing – and building stronger, better-connected communities across Wales.' This funding was secured through the budget deal between the Welsh Government and Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
