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Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Sadness as Rhyl mother-and-baby charity closes its two hubs
Blossom & Bloom's wellbeing and development hubs shut for good on Friday (May 30). The charity was established in 2020, and has supported more than 700 families, providing a safe, free-of-charge space for parents with pre-school-age children to attend on a daily basis. In 2023, the wellbeing hub opened at the centre, followed a year later by the development hub, which offers a separate learning space. Blossom & Bloom's wellbeing hub (Image: Vicky Welsman-Millard) It has attributed its decision to close in part to Denbighshire County Council's decision not to allocate it any funds from its share of the Shared Prosperity Fund which it has received for the new financial year from the UK Government. Vicky Welsman-Millard, the charity's founder, said in a joint statement with its board of trustees: 'After five extraordinary years, Blossom & Bloom staff team now make their way to continue their careers within other organisations. 'We would like to thank them all for their hard work and commitment over the years and for staying with us until our last day. 'This has made continuing our wellbeing services possible over the last few months and has provided us time to put together some legacy opportunities for local mums, babies and families. 'Women lift women, and when they are given opportunities to come together, to celebrate each other and offer mutual support, magic happens.' Mrs Welsman-Millard told the Journal her charity received £129,688.09 from Denbighshire County Council's share of the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund in 2023-24, and £119,381.20 in 2024-25, but nothing for 2025-26. This is the third and final financial year when SPF funding will be distributed. The council said its decision not to allocate funds to Blossom & Bloom for this year was due to an 'overall reduction in Shared Prosperity Fund funding'. A public meeting was held in Rhyl regarding the charity's future in May, while a petition was also set up to try to save it. Blossom & Bloom's development hub (Image: Vicky Welsman-Millard) The charity's closing statement added: 'We've seen the impact of empowering women to value themselves and to achieve - personally, professionally and within their communities. 'Mothers with babies and young children are the heartbeat of our community. They are our future, and together they offer immense social value when recognised and supported. 'We have challenged the negative opinions and headlines surrounding young mums, single parent families and mums who are struggling with the parenting journey, and we've shown that with care, connection and opportunity they can thrive. 'Sadly, poverty is the headline economic marker of our town, and the poverty trap is real for so many families locally. 'Our delivery model has built communities, friendships, hope and prosperity. 'Whilst funding constraints close our current much-needed Blossom & Bloom wellbeing services, we are hoping that our model and vision for local families is adopted by statutory services moving forward. 'The team all leave the charity in a paid capacity with fierce pride celebrating the work done, time spent and differences made to hundreds of local families.' A public meeting was also held in Rhyl regarding the charity's future in May. (Image: Submitted) Numerous parents who used Blossom & Bloom's hubs shared their sadness at the closures when the news initially broke in early April. Ebonie Hitchen said the charity 'made me the person I am today' and helped her 'achieve so much', while Laura-Jayne Clark said she was 'heartbroken' and 'extremely disappointed' by the news, having benefited from Blossom & Bloom's 'astonishing' work. The charity's closing statement added: 'Our message to mums: you must never stop learning, about yourself, your family, how the world works through other people's eyes and never stop indoors feeling sad or lonely for more than 48 hours, never stop pushing yourself forward, accessing education and training and creating a family life you are proud of. 'The poverty trap is real. It doesn't just hold you; it reaches for your children and theirs. See it for what it is: a trap designed to keep you small. But you are not small. 'You are the mothers who've grown with us for five years. Every connection is making a difference, every skill gained and qualification earned, every door pushed open that's you breaking chains for generations. 'To every mother: stay connected. Isolation keeps us down, but together, we move mountains. 'With boundless love and absolute belief in your power, happy mums are the best mums.'
Rhyl Journal
09-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Blossom & Bloom: Rhyl meeting held as charity faces closure
Blossom & Bloom's wellbeing and development hubs, located in the White Rose Shopping Centre, will shut on Friday, May 30. The charity, established in 2020, has supported more than 700 families; it aims to provide a safe, free-of-charge space for parents with pre-school-age children to attend on a daily basis. The charity attributed its decision to close in part to Denbighshire County Council's decision not to allocate it any funds from its share of the Shared Prosperity Fund which it has received for the new financial year from the UK Government. The public meeting was held on Wednesday (May 7) at Sussex Street Christian Centre. As well as 60 mums, four councillors attended. Six mothers spoke at the meeting about what the charity means to them, including one who said she felt 'scared, lonely and vulnerable' when she fell pregnant, but then found a 'second home' in Blossom & Bloom. Ashleigh Greenwood, wellbeing support assistant at Blossom & Bloom, said: 'There were so many mums and families (at the meeting); the room was full. 'We had a lot of questionnaires filled out by mums and members of the public about what the impact of the closure would be, and how Blossom & Bloom has helped them. 'What we were hoping to achieve from this was for people to see how needed it is in the community. 'We made a request for the council to go to review its decision - this was our way of trying to show the council how many people are involved and will be impacted by the closure." This request was unsuccessful. Ashleigh added: 'My main concern is about where the families go from here. What's going to happen to all of the mums and babies that rely on this charity so much when we shut the doors on May 30?' Among the councillors in attendance at Wednesday's meeting were Cllrs Brian Jones (Welsh Conservatives, Rhyl Ty Newydd), Michelle Blakely-Walker (Labour, Rhyl Trellewelyn) and Will Price (Welsh Conservatives, Rhyl Trellewelyn). Vicky Welsman-Millard, founder of Blossom & Bloom, expressed her thanks to the councillors for their attendance and for listening to the mums who spoke at the meeting. Vicky Welsman-Millard (R) with some of the mums who use Blossom & Bloom's services (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Jones said: 'A number of speakers expressed extremely powerful factual messages of support for the Blossom & Bloom project, and the need for it to continue here in Rhyl as an essential service. 'This latter point, of an essential service, appears to be have been totally missed by the council.' Cllr Blakely-Walker described Blossom & Bloom's work as 'incredible'. She added: 'I was deeply saddened to hear that the council had made the decision to no longer provide funding to Blossom & Bloom. 'This local charity has worked with over 400 mothers and families within our town of Rhyl and the surrounding areas, providing crucial help and support in their time of need. 'I and a few other councillors recently submitted a scrutiny request for Blossom & Bloom in the hope that the council would explore options for further funding. Unfortunately, however, this was rejected. 'From the standpoint of both a councillor and a mother, I sincerely hope that a resolution can be found which enables Blossom & Bloom to continue providing its invaluable services for our local community. Cllr Price said: 'I was taken back a little, when I walked into the meeting, at how many of our local community was present, and at just how angry they were at this decision to stop the funding for this vital charity. 'I've received various updates over the last month or so from concerned residents of Rhyl and beyond, voicing their anger and frustration due to the loss of funding for this bespoke service they provide to mums and families. 'I am still sitting here today scratching my head as to why they would be so cruel in their decisions to take their funding away. 'The council claims to be at the forefront in looking after people's wellbeing, and being transformational in their ideas and planning strategy, but I personally don't see this in their decision concerning Blossom & Bloom.' A council spokesperson said: 'The council has received the request from Blossom & Bloom and have now responded with information to address the issues raised.'
South Wales Argus
03-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Shared Prosperity Fund: Monmouthshire council discussion
Funds for improving economic prospects and addressing inequalities were previously awarded direct from Brussels to the Welsh Government to be spent across the country according to need. Following Brexit the Shared Prosperity Fund was put in place by the previous Conservative government in Westminster to distribute similar funds over three years and though the new Labour government agreed to maintain it for the 2025/26 financial year it was at a reduced level. As a result some organisations have lost funding including the Together Works community centre in Caldicot, which has only been able to continue after a charity stepped in to provide it with a financial lifeline. Monmouthshire councillors in March examined how the funding, which is worth nearly £2.4m at its reduced level to the county, was allocated and its deputy leader Paul Griffiths criticised how the scheme was set up and the timeframes involved. The Chepstow Labour councillor, who is responsible for the economy, said a partnership board he and a council director sat on with local businesses and other public service bodies had to decide how to allocate the funding, which he said was in line with rules put in place by the previous government. This year he said the board had to demand business cases from organisations for their funding to continue with just weeks to spare. Cllr Griffiths told councillors, in March, there had been 'ridiculous haste' in setting up the Shared Prosperity Fund and said: 'It was to deliberately increase the role of the UK Government and limit the role of the devolved governments and I think the consequence of that intention to increase that central control ended up, perhaps not intentionally, limiting the role of local authorities.' He said while the Labour UK Government has promised control of its replacement for the Shared Prosperity Fund will be returned to the devolved governments there is little time to put in place a system for deciding how funds will be allocated from the 2026/27 financial year. He had warned councillors the clock is ticking on putting in place a new system and said: 'We must make sure there is time available for a more open bidding process.' At the April meeting of the council's performance and overview scrutiny committee Caldicot West End Labour councillor Jill Bond asked when a meeting to consider the Shared Prosperity Fund would be held. A committee clerk said he would have to check for an update on when a meeting could be arranged.
Leader Live
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Another vehicle crashes into rising bollards
Last week saw the introduction of bollards on Yorke Street as part of several improvements made to the newly pedestrianised centre. The aim is to reduce traffic pollution and create an overall more inviting environment for locals and visitors. The bollards prevent access for unauthorised vehicles between 11.30am and 6am daily, with police warning that action will be taken against drivers ignoring the changes. Multiple crashes have been recorded over the past two-weeks, including vehicles that have attempted to drive through before the bollards rise. Nearby business Regent House of Flowers shared an image to social media, claiming a fifth incident on Wednesday (April 23). As a result, they say coolant and oil spilled onto the ground causing a temporary traffic delay, as well as damage to the vehicle's bumper and light damage to the bollard. (Image: UGC) Business owner Laura Evison and daughter Harriett said: "I didn't see it happen but we heard the bang of it. "The council, fire brigade and police were all on the scene very quickly and it was all sorted very quickly. "However, even though bollards don't effect us being on the corner it effects us when crashes like this happen as our deliveries and the street is backed up - we can't even receive our flowers delivery. "Overall though, we think the system is working and cannot fault the council with their support and help." The council has transformed the city centre to make it 'more inviting and pedestrian friendly' after securing the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, the Welsh Government Transforming Towns Fund, Safer Streets Fund and Active Travel Fund. MOST READ The new bollards in particular have stirred mixed opinions from locals and business owners who fear restricted access will affect overall custom. Following a previous incident, Cllr Nigel Williams, lead member for Economy and Regeneration said: 'There have been attempts at 'tailgating' whereby a vehicle that does not have access to high street has followed closely a vehicle that does have access, this has resulted in needless costly damage to the tailgating vehicles. "Never tailgate a vehicle going through the bollards in front of you. The bollards rise again immediately after the registered vehicle has passed. 'Appropriate signage and communication around the changes have been issued. "We urge drivers to familiarise themselves with the new system, to be aware of changes and respect the signage."
BBC News
20-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Gloucester: Project to repair medieval monument begins
Work has begun to conserve and enhance a "vital" historic Oswald's Priory in Gloucester was built by Alfred the Great's eldest daughter and later became the resting place for the relics of the Christian martyr St Oswald and also Queen Aethelflaed. The monument has been previously targeted by vandalism and graffiti and is currently on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register. Councillor Rebecca Trimnell, from Gloucester City Council, said: "I'm delighted to see this project get under way and look forward to seeing the results." The local authority received grants of £20,000 from Historic England and £16,000 from the government's Shared Prosperity Fund to carry out the work, which includes improvements to the landscaping, new architectural lighting and CCTV cameras. Small scale repairs to the stonework and improvements to the gravelled area are due to be carried out as well as the installation of interpretation panels telling visitors more about the history of the is hoped that the work will lead to the monument being removed from the at risk Simmonds, south west regional director at Historic England, said: "St Oswald's is a fascinating monument and a vital part of the story of Gloucester. "We're pleased to support the council to help keep it safe and in good repair, so that it can continue to be enjoyed by locals and visitors to the city for years to come."
