Property section projects support communities across Denbighshire

Over the past 12 months, Denbighshire County Council’s Property section has continued to play a vital role in supporting services, communities and residents across the county.

From delivering improvement works and maintaining public buildings to supporting major projects and ensuring council assets are safe, efficient and fit for purpose, the teams within the section have been involved in a wide range of important work.

County Voice looks back at some of the key projects completed during the year, highlighting the dedication, expertise and collaboration of the different teams that help manage and improve Denbighshire’s property estate.

Since last year the Building Maintenance team has supported major improvement works at Ysgol Dewi Sant in Rhyl, helping to modernise and transform the school’s hall wing.

This project included roof reconstruction, improved insulation, replacement high-performance double-glazed windows, upgraded access arrangements and the modernisation of the foyer and entrance area, including the addition of a lift to improve accessibility.

The works helped improve energy efficiency, reduced the school’s carbon footprint and created a safer, more accessible and modern space for pupils, staff and the wider community.

They also responded to storm damage at SC2 Waterpark making the building safe before managing the replacement of the compromised waterpark roof.

With the original supplier no longer trading, a new roof was specially designed and independently checked using site-specific wind load modelling.

The project required a bespoke scaffolding solution because nearby flood defence works prevented traditional access, while wind speeds were monitored daily to keep operatives safe.

Purpose-made curved roof sheets, some more than 24 metres long, were transported to site under abnormal load permits. Maintenance colleagues coordinated the complex project with the tenant, insurers, consultants, engineers, surveyors, loss adjusters and Council teams managing the sea defence works.

The project was managed by maintenance, liaising with our Tenant, specialist consultants, engineers, insurers, forensic surveyors and loss adjusters, as well as Council colleagues including those managing the sea defence works.

Over the last 12 months the Design and Construction team has delivered and supported a wide range of high-profile projects across the county, helping to improve housing, education provision, accessibility and regeneration.

Key achievements include the completion of 22 new energy-efficient council homes at Llwyn Eirin in Denbigh, built to Passivhaus standard and fitted with solar panels and ground-source heat pumps to help reduce household energy costs and carbon emissions.

The team also designed and progressed the first hydrotherapy pool of its kind in Denbighshire at Ysgol Tir Morfa in Rhyl, supporting pupils’ physical development and wellbeing through a specialist new facility within the school grounds.

Alongside this, the team has supported the next phase of works at the Former North Wales Hospital site in Denbigh, with remediation and demolition works helping to unlock future regeneration of the 53-acre site for housing, commercial space and green community areas.

The section’s work has also been recognised through award-winning housing schemes, including Llys Elizabeth in Rhyl, which won Best Small Social Housing Development at the LABC Awards for Wales for its high-quality, energy-efficient homes for residents aged 55 and over.

Since last summer the Energy Team has continued to lead projects that improve energy efficiency, reduce running costs and lower carbon emissions across Council buildings and services.

At Cysgod y Gaer care home in Corwen, the team installed a 40kWh battery energy storage system alongside a 21.36kWp solar array, building on previous work to add PV panels, LED lighting and heating system improvements.

This combined work has helped reduce gas and electric consumption significantly, cut carbon emissions and supports the charging of two electric vehicles operating from the site to provide health and social care services in the local community.

The team has also delivered an innovative battery storage project at the Denbigh Waste and Recycling station, installing 600kWh of battery capacity to make better use of solar energy generated on site and support electric waste and recycling vehicles.

Early results show grid energy use at the site has fallen by more than half, with the system expected to save more than 76,000kWh a year, reduce costs by around £16,000 and cut carbon emissions by approximately 22 tonnes annually.

A further example of this collaborative approach can be seen at St Brigid’s School, where teams worked together during the second half of 2025 to improve the efficiency and performance of the site’s main building.

The project brought together support from the Climate and Nature programme, Building Maintenance and the Energy Team to deliver a package of heating, controls, lighting and insulation improvements.

Works included the removal of old inefficient oil-fired boilers and their replacement with modern LPG-fired boilers across the two main plant rooms, with five boilers replaced in total and the old oil tank removed.

Modern building management controls were also installed, creating five separate zones for the main building and helping the site operate more efficiently.

In addition, more than 140 LED light fittings were installed, which are expected to save around 24,260kWh of electricity and approximately £5,579 each year.

Around 240 square metres of 300mm insulation was also added, further supporting the Council’s wider work to reduce energy use, cut emissions and improve the long-term sustainability of its buildings.

Councillor Julie Matthews, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Policy, Equalities and Strategic Assets, said:  “The work carried out by our Property teams over the last 12 months shows the important role they play in supporting residents, communities and Council services across Denbighshire. From improving schools and care settings to delivering energy-efficient homes, reducing carbon emissions and supporting major regeneration projects, their work has a direct and lasting impact on people’s everyday lives.

“I would like to thank all the teams involved for their dedication, expertise and commitment. Their efforts help make our buildings safer, more accessible, more sustainable and better equipped to meet the needs of residents now and in the future.”

Charge Up and Discover Denbighshire by EV this summer

Summer days are upon us, providing the perfect opportunity through more daylight to explore the best that Denbighshire has to offer.

Travelling by vehicle in modern times has seen the addition of hybrid engines and electric powered motors to help get you to locations with less impact on our climate by providing greener miles at a lower cost.

Since the first Council Electric Vehicles (EV) chargers went live in summer 2022 over 4.5million miles of travelling have been provided through more than 63,000 charging sessions.

For the Denbighshire EV owners and those living outside of the county, County Voice takes you on a whistle stop driving tour to locate the Council’s own public charging EV stations to help you plan your trip to check out the sights of Denbighshire.

Our public EV charging network provides a great opportunity to travel around Denbighshire to visit the many tourism attractions the county has to offer while charging your vehicle at one of the sites.

Is Llangollen Railway on your top list of Denbighshire attractions to visit? You can start your experience at Corwen’s Green Lane car park next to the town’s station which has five operational EV chargers which you can plug your own EV vehicle into. Step back into yesteryear by enjoying travelling down the railway line while your modern mode of transport is topped up with energy.

If you are starting at the Llangollen side of the railway, chargers are available at Market Street car park and also the Pavilion car park. These great locations will also give you time around the town to check out attractions such as the Llangollen Wharf, hiking up to Dinas Bran or just to enjoy the sites of the River Dee running by Llangollen.

Stepping into the driver’s seat of your EV and moving up to Ruthin, you can find EV chargers at Cae Ddol car park which puts you in a fantastic location to learn all about the Ruthin Gaol. And the history theme continues as a five-minute walk can take you to another past location in the form of Nant Clwyd y Dre.

Interested in arts and crafts? Public charging facilities are also available at Ruthin Craft Centre to allow you time to browse the delights and skills on offer at the site while topping up your vehicle for your next Denbighshire trip.

Heading onwards to Denbigh, the town’s Post Office Lane provides chargers, providing the perfect chance to climb up to the top of the town to view the remains of Denbigh Castle and the town walls.

A quick trip further brings you in your EV to St Asaph and the Bowling Green car park at the city which has charging facilities and which is the perfect starting point to enjoy a scenic walk along the River Elwy or check out the stunning architecture of St Asaph Cathedral.

Travelling onwards to the coast, Rhyl has the perfect place to top up and charge. West Kinmel car park has a number of chargers including rapid facilities for a quick boost. Plugging in here, you can use the time to take a walk through the centre of town to the prom to enjoy Rhyl’s golden sands and promenade, check out the harbour area, or jump on transport from the past in the form of Rhyl Miniature Railway at Marine Lake. Charging facilities are also available at Morley Road car park.

The last trip to neighbouring seaside town Prestatyn will provide chargers (including rapids) at Fern Avenue and Kings Avenue car parks, allowing you time to enjoy Prestatyn’s town centre or if feeling brave take a walk down to the seafront to enjoy the attractions awaiting you.

The EV public network is a part the Council’s overall action to tackle climate change following the declaration of a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019 by reducing the county’s carbon footprint.

To check out more information on these locations visit our website.

"This finally feels like my home" - Steve’s Story

Steve Purse, who lives in Rhyl is an avid campaigner, and has been to Parliament campaigning on multiple occasions for recognition of the impact of nuclear testing on families of personnel.

Living with short stature and type two respiratory failure, his previous residence did not allow him to live independently, and he was unable to use his powered wheelchair within the home.

Steve

Steve and his family joined the Specialist Housing Register in January 2021. By working closely with the Council’s Specialist Housing Register Manager and Occupational Therapists, Steve and his family were able to move to a more suitable property with adaptations, which took extensive research to ensure that they were suitable to meet the needs of Steve, but also, be usable by the whole family.

These adaptations have enabled Steve to live more independently, and improve the quality of life for both his family, and himself.

Rise and Fall Hob adaption

In house resources were utilised to complete an assessment for Steve in order to understand his requirements within a kitchen environment.

The reablement suite at Hafan Deg Day Centre in Rhyl was utilised by Steve and his family to test out and measure the bespoke range elements needed in their new home.

The suite at Hafan Deg aims to replicate a home and includes an ergonomic adjustable countertop and easy access oven, allowing easy interaction and measurements where needed. It was identified that adaptations that had not been completed before would need to be considered to accommodate Steve’s reduced reach.

Through the specialist housing register, properties like Steve’s are acquired through Registered Social Landlords, adaptations can be completed in these properties to suit the individual, enabling residents to live fulfilling and independent lives.

Speaking on his experience, Steve said:

“Where we lived prior to this was really unsuitable, to the point where I couldn’t even get my wheelchair in the house. There were narrow doorways and nothing was really in reach for me, it wasn’t a family home really.

We got a phone call to say that this property had become available, and when we saw it, we thought, wow this looks really nice. I can get my wheelchair straight into the house now from the drive. I suppose some people might take that for granted, but for me that was new and was a big thing.”

Working collaboratively with a local specialist supplier, a bathroom was designed featuring a bespoke rise and fall toilet and sink to enable Steve to complete his own personal care, safe transfers and help with his independence. Due to restrictions of the design of the items, a solution was found to embed the toilet and sink into the concrete floor of the bathroom, allowing for the lowest height to be achieved to suit Steve’s requirements.

Adapted toilet unit

Speaking on the adaptions at his home, Steve said:

“The rise and fall toilet is a real gamechanger for me. As a technological piece of equipment, it really is quite sophisticated. That to me is the biggest part of my independence, is the toilet.”

As well as a rise and fall toilet, the bathroom features bespoke armrests and a bespoke shower that can be used by the whole family.

The kitchen at Steve’s home has also been re-developed, and features a rise and fall hob, sink and bespoke oven and placement of taps for the sink enabling Steve to pour himself a drink and access hand and dish washing facilities, a task Steve was previously unable to undertake.

Steve said:

“The sink is a rise and fall, and the taps have been adjusted so that I can operate them and do the washing up.

The hob also rises and falls, with the controls within easy reach, so I can cook, and the oven door is a slide and hide, meaning I can operate it properly and safely. The table is also wheelchair accessible.”

The property has not only helped Steve, but has brought the whole family together and reduced Steve’s reliance on others for everyday tasks.

“The toilet is amazing, it rises and falls and can be a bespoke height for the whole family to use.

Now that the interior of the property has been adapted, everything is in reach.

This finally feels like my home now.”

7 Welsh adventure essentials that are ready for their next journey

Wales is already one of the world's best recyclers, in fact, we're currently second on the global charts. But every great adventure wants to reach No.1.

This summer, we're backing Wales Recycles' Be Mighty. Recycle. campaign to help make that happen, one bottle, can and banana skin at a time.

Every recyclable item has a story to tell that doesn't end when you're finished with it.

Put it in the right bin and it keeps valuable materials in circulation for years to come, whether it's becoming something new or, like our food waste, helping to power Wales.

Here are seven adventure essentials that are ready for their next chapter.

1. The drinks bottle that's ready for its next Welsh adventure
   After keeping you hydrated on a coastal path, castle trail or mountain summit, a plastic drinks bottle still has plenty left in the tank.

Recycling just one plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a smartphone 14 times! Not bad for something that spent most of the day rattling around in a hiking pack.

Its next adventure starts with the right bin.

2. The can that's already planning its next summit
   Aluminium drinks cans are one of recycling's true legends.

They can be recycled again and again without losing quality, making them one of the most remarkable materials in the recycling world.

Pop it in the right bin and it could be back on the shelves and out on the trails well before next summer rolls around.

3. The glass bottle with miles still to go
   Glass is a material that loves another chapter. It can be recycled endlessly and transformed into new bottles and jars time after time.

Even better, recycling a single glass bottle saves enough energy to power a lightbulb for hours. That's a lot of mileage from one simple choice made on a Welsh hillside.

4. The suncream bottle keeping the good times topped up
   Suncream is a Welsh summer essential, whether you're exploring Pembrokeshire's coastline or soaking up the views from Yr Wyddfa. But once it's empty, the job isn't done.

When recycled, the plastic can be transformed into new products, helping valuable materials stay in use for longer. The same goes for many of the everyday essentials we pack for a day out, from toiletries to hand sanitiser to aerosols. Pop them in the right bin.

A little protection for your skin. A little protection for the planet too.

5. The foil that's been on quite the picnic
   Whether it wrapped your sandwiches on a clifftop, your snacks on a forest trail or your picnic spread on the beach, foil has one of the longest careers in recycling.

Producing products from recycled aluminium uses around 95% less energy than making them from raw materials. Which means that scrunched-up piece of foil could still be making a difference long after your tan has faded and your boots have dried out.

6. The yoghurt pot ready for another Welsh adventure
   From beach breakfasts to snacks on the go, pots, tubs and trays are a familiar part of any Welsh day out.

Don't let the fun stop there. When recycled correctly, plastic pots, tubs and trays can be transformed into new products and packaging, helping keep valuable materials in circulation for longer.

Today's yoghurt pot could be tomorrow's hummus tub. Now that's quite the transformation!

7. The banana skin with surprising power
   Some of the most impressive performers are hiding in plain sight.

In Wales, food waste collected for recycling is turned into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser.

In fact, just one recycled banana skin can generate enough renewable energy to fully charge a smartphone. That's more photos of those incredible Welsh views, more videos of memorable moments, and a few more chances to capture the magic of a Welsh summer.

So when you're enjoying Wales this summer, make sure all your food waste, from apple cores and inedible peelings, to tea bags, eggshells and leftovers all goes in the food waste caddy.

Every great adventure deserves another chapter

From bottles and cans to yoghurt pots and banana skins, every recyclable item has the potential to do something amazing after you've finished with it.

And every item recycled correctly helps Wales move one step closer to the top spot.

So when you're out exploring castles, coastlines, mountains and everything in between this summer, give your recycling the send off it deserves. Choose the right bin.

Want to see where they go next? Visit Wales Recycles and discover the journey your recycling takes after you bin it.

7 festival favourites that want to party on long after the festival ends

Wales is already one of the world's best recyclers. In fact, we're currently sitting near the very top of the global charts. But every great act wants to reach No.1.

This summer, we’re backing Wales Recycles’ Be Mighty. Recycle campaign to help to make that happen, one bottle, can and banana skin at a time.

Every recyclable item has a story to tell that doesn't end when you're finished with it.

Put it in the right bin and it keeps valuable materials in circulation for years to come, whether it's becoming something new or, like our food waste, helps to power Wales.

Here are seven festival favourites that are ready for their next act.

1. The drinks bottle that's waiting for its next headline set

After keeping you hydrated through a day of dancing, a plastic drinks bottle still has plenty left in the tank.

Recycling just three plastic bottles saves enough energy to power DJ decks for around two hours. Not bad for something that spent most of the day rolling around in a backpack.

Its next headline appearance starts with the right bin.

2. The can that's already planning its comeback tour

Aluminium drinks cans are one of recycling's rock stars.

They can be recycled again and again without losing quality, making them one of the true legends of the recycling world.

Pop it in the right bin and it could be back on stage well before next festival season rolls around.

3. The glass bottle asking for one more song

Glass is another material that loves an encore. It can be recycled endlessly and transformed into new bottles and jars time after time.

Even better, recycling a single glass bottle saves enough energy to power a guitar amp for around six hours. That's a lot of encore energy from one simple choice.

4. The suncream bottle helping keep the good times topped up

Suncream is a summer essential. But once it's empty, the job isn’t done.

When recycled, the plastic can be transformed into new products, helping valuable materials stay in use for longer. The same goes for many of the everyday essentials we bring along, from toiletries to hand sanitiser to aerosols. Pop them in the right bin.

A little protection for your skin. A little protection for the planet too.

5. The foil that refuses to leave the dancefloor

Whether it wrapped your sandwich, breakfast roll or favourite festival snack, foil has one of the longest careers in recycling.

Producing products from recycled aluminium uses around 95% less energy than making them from raw materials. Which means that scrunched-up piece of foil could still be making a difference long after the festival wristband comes off.

6. The yoghurt pot ready for another round of fun

From breakfast to snacks on the go, pots, tubs and trays are a familiar part of picnics.

Don't let the fun stop there. When recycled correctly, plastic pots, tubs and trays can be transformed into new products and packaging, helping keep valuable materials in circulation for longer.

Today's yoghurt pot could be tomorrow’s hummus tub. Now that’s a successful outfit transformation!

7. The banana skin with surprising star potential

Some of the most impressive performers are hiding in plain sight.

In Wales, food waste collected for recycling is turned into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser.

In fact, two recycled banana skins can generate enough renewable energy to fully charge a smartphone. That's more videos. More photos. And a few more chances to capture your favourite festival memories.

So when you’re enjoying Wales this summer make sure all your food waste – from apple cores and inedible peelings to tea bags, eggshells and bones – go in the food waste bin.

Every great act deserves an encore

From bottles and cans to yoghurt pots and banana skins, every recyclable item has the potential to do something amazing after you've finished with it.

And every item recycled correctly helps Wales move one step closer to the top spot.

So when you're out enjoying festivals, events and days out across Wales this summer, give your recycling the encore it deserves. Choose the right bin.

Want to see where they go next? Visit Wales Recycles and discover the journey your recycling takes after you recycle it https://www.walesrecycles.org.uk/ 

Can you spot these wildflowers in Denbighshire?

As the weather gets warmer our county wildflower meadows are starting to spring to life.

Back in 2019, Denbighshire County Council declared a climate and nature emergency with the aim to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

One of the first actions was to start managing some of the Council’s grassland for wildflower meadow creation across the county. The aim of the project is to restore and increase the amount of habitat available throughout the county for pollinators and wildlife.

This project also brings many benefits or ‘ecosystem services’ to residents in the county, such as reduced flooding, improved air quality, and air cooling.

Here’s a guide to the flowers you could spot by visiting our meadows across Denbighshire which are recognised by our Bee Friendly signage

May wildflowers

Bird's Foot Trefoil

Visiting our wildflower meadows in May you will find bird's foot trefoil in bloom. Bees and other pollinators love it as it is very rich in nectar and is the larval food source for some of our favourite butterflies - Common Blue, Dingy Skipper and Green Hairstreak.

Red Clover

Have you spotted red clover at our wildflower meadows during May? This lovely little wildflower is rich in pollen and provides an essential food source for bees - in the past it was known as "bee bread". It's not just our pollinators that enjoy this little flower, cows love it too!

Red Campion

Red Campion is visible across our wildflower meadows during May. This woodland wildflower can grow to almost 1m high and attracts bees and butterflies to its deep pink flowers by opening the petals during the day. Where to find it: Shady areas such as hedge banks, woodlands, woodland edges and rural roads.

June wildflowers

Bee Orchid (Ophrys Apifera)

Have you spotted the bee orchid in any of our wildflower meadows this month? These little orchids are the masters of deception! The flower not only looks like a resting bee but it is also slightly hairy and even produces a scent similar to a female bee – all to attract the attention of a passing male bee.

Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor)

Yellow rattle is managing the height of our wildflower meadows this month. This little wildflower is great for wildflower meadows! As a hemi-parasite it restricts the growth of grasses by feeding off their nutrients and weakening them. By weakening the more aggressive grasses, the more delicate wildflowers are able establish themselves.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

The Foxglove is blooming in June around our meadows, one of most recognisable wildflowers which splashes our woodlands edges and rural roadsides with bright pink bell-shaped flowers. According to Plantlife a single 'glove' can produce a million seeds!

July wildflowers

Field scabious (Knautia arvensis)

The purple–blue flowers of Field scabious are great for attracting our native bees, moths and butterflies. It’s also an essential food source for some of our most vulnerable species such as the Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk moth and the Marsh Fritillary butterfly.

Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)

July brings the common knapweed into bloom across our meadows. A standout wildflower with bright pink thistle-like flowers. Common knapweed is one of our top pollinator friendly wildflowers. It provides a great source of quality nectar for bees, butterflies and beetles. Later in the season its seeds provide a sought after food source for a variety of our native bird species.

Meadow Crane's-bill (Geranium pratense)

Meadows crane’s bill is our most wide spread Geranium wildflower provides a splash of blue/violet in early summer and can last for a number of months at our wildflower meadows. In the autumn months the leaves change from green to a deep red prolonging this amazing wildflowers visual impact – it’s no wonder it has become a favourite in many cottage gardens!

Oxeye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare)

A resilient flower, look for oxeye daisies in our wildflower meadows. Oxeye daisy flowers from May to September.

Restoring the Past, Building the Future: Nantclwyd y Dre

Ruthin is a town is steeped in history. Razed to the ground by Owain Glyndwr in the year 1400, the historic feel of the town as we know it today comes in large part from the timber-framed vernacular style of architecture which was used during the town’s reconstruction.

Among the charming streets and historic frontages sits an important piece of Ruthin’s built heritage. Originally built in 1435 as a weaver’s hall house, Nantclwyd y Dre boasts nearly 600 years of local history and is one of the oldest timber-framed townhouses in Wales open to the public.

Now managed by the Denbighshire Heritage Service, visitors to Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens can relive the house’s fascinating past through immersive soundscapes, interiors and exhibits that give a captivating insight into what life was like for the families that lived there.

In 2023, funding was granted to restore parts of the site as the UK Government confirmed their intention to provide £10.95 million of grant funding for 10 capital projects aimed at protecting Ruthin’s unique heritage, wellbeing, and rural communities.

This funding, known as the Local Regeneration Fund (LRF), was awarded exclusively for successful projects included in Clwyd West and cannot be directed to other projects.

As one of the successful projects, £667,000 was allocated to redevelop some currently unused parts of the house in need of some repair to preserve this important piece of local heritage for generations to come, create new opportunities for the attraction to improve its future sustainability and make some exciting additions to the visitor experience.

Construction works began in October, focussing on bringing the largely unused west wing of the property back to life. This section of the house will become a small holiday let, designed and furnished in keeping with the historic nature of the building, and see improved facilities on the first floor with a dedicated space for the weekly volunteers who are a critical and valued part of the day-to-day workings at Nantclwyd.

However, before the works could begin, one set of longstanding residents needed to be taking into consideration. Denbighshire County Council consulted with ecologists to ensure that the planned developments would not disturb the resident protected bat maternity roost, which houses a significant number of the Pipistrelle and Lesser-Horseshoe population in Wales. Contractors were given specialist training, and a large bat shelter was installed in the garden, giving the winged residents an additional space to thrive.

The planned improvements will also make the kitchen area more suitable for event catering, and the summerhouse will be restored to its former glory for visitors to enjoy during the summer months, also serving as an additional space for the ceremonies taking place at the historic house such as weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.

Undertaken by B&W builders & decorators alongside TACP Architects, the project is expected to be completed by April 2026. A more sustainable approach to the improvement works has also been implemented through using wool to insulate the building rather than the more widely used oil-based insulation which emits higher carbon emissions and isn’t renewable.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said:

“The beginning of these improvement works to Nantclwyd y Dre serves as a major milestone in securing the future of such a prominent historical site that sits at the heart of Ruthin. 

“Nantclwyd is as a great visitor attraction and community hub for our dedicated volunteers, and we are looking forward to seeing the newly developed spaces being enjoyed and used by visitors.

“The wellbeing of the bat population will remain as a priority whilst the works are being carried out, and we will be in continuous communications with the ecologists throughout the completion of the works”.

Josh’s Journey

Due to a relationship break down, Josh, who is 34, found himself seeking the Council’s homelessness team’s help at the start of last year. In February of 2025 Josh was placed in temporary accommodation and was assigned a homeless support practitioner.

Josh

“I was homeless at the start of last year. I had been in homeless before and was placed in temporary accommodation previously, but I wasn’t in the right mindset previously to try and sort out my wider situation.

I was only in there briefly this time. I was asking everyone, trying to find a flat of my own. I eventually found one and moved out of temporary accommodation quite quickly.”

A month later, Josh had found himself privately rented accommodation to live in and was looking to write the chapter in his story.

“Whilst I was in temporary accommodation, my homeless support practitioner mentioned the intuitive thinking skills courses to me.

I was a little sceptical about doing the courses at first, but I didn’t realise until I sat them, that really, I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain from giving them a go.

I started the courses in April and March. I did the skills to life course first, which I really enjoyed and learned a lot from.

It teaches you how to deal with your own mindset, and how you think about problems. I used to really struggle with my confidence and doubt myself all the time.

They asked me at the start of the course what I would like to improve on, and so I put down work on my confidence.”

Josh then went on to take the Information, advice and guidance course, and dove deeper into his learning.

“I went on to do the Information, advice and guidance course, which taught me some more technical aspects. I would be put in other people's shoes, and I learned how to help those who may be more vulnerable.

I learned how to help others who may be in circumstances such as homelessness or maybe struggle with substance misuse.”

In early summer, Josh was offered an ambassador placement with the Intuitive Thinking team, with the hopes of that scheme then leading to a permanent job within the team itself.

“I was really buzzing as that was the placement I wanted the most out of the ones that were offered to me. I learned to give speeches and administer training by shadowing members of the team. That helped my confidence so much, standing up and speaking in front of people. I was terrified at first, but it got easier and easier over time.

I was about two months into my placement with the team when I got offered a job in the energy sector which I felt I just couldn't turn down.

The skills I learned during the courses I took, and my placement have given me so much confidence in my new role. This job is so different from what I’ve done previously, and these new skills have given me the confidence to go and try something new. That’s the main take away for me.

I was very much set in my ways of staying in my comfort zone before I did these courses. I would just do what I’d always done, but ultimately, I kept getting the same results. I feel like I spent years at a standstill really.

Since I’ve sat these courses, I’ve never felt better in my life. It sounds crazy to say that a course can change that, but I learned why I am thinking things and how to deal with those thoughts.”

Josh has chosen more positive ways to ways to pass the time.

“I have chosen more healthy options in life now, I struggled with boredom when I got sober about four years ago, I needed different outlets.

I started playing golf and going to the gym. I am now a member at Rhyl Golf Club.”

Josh has now graduated from the Intuitive thinking courses, with a number of certificates under his belt, and is enjoying his new role in the energy sector.

“I think these courses would benefit everyone; you don’t have to be in a bad position to take it. You can’t lose anything from learning from this course, as long as you are invested in it, you’re going to benefit from it.

People have said that they can see a change in my confidence. From where I was in February,  to where I am now, it feels like two different people. I felt lost and had no hope really. It taught me to think differently and rationally think about situations. It has helped me to gain the focus and drive to get what I want.

It was like a snowball effect, as soon as I decided to start helping myself, things got gradually better.”

Have you met our fabulous Bookstart Team? ❤

They run free, weekly, bilingual rhyme times for babies and toddlers in all our libraries. It’s never too soon to start sharing books and rhymes with your baby and you will find a great selection of books for all ages in our libraries.

Our libraries are free to join; books are free to borrow and there are no late charges!

The rhyme times are a great way to build up your confidence sharing books and rhymes with your little one, and a brilliant way to meet other new parents.

Please book your free rhyme time place here 👇🏼

https://bookwhen.com/denbighshire-bookstart