News
Christmas and New Year Information
For all the current up-to-date information about our services over the Christmas and New Year period, please click HERE.
Digital volunteering scheme appeals for Welsh speakers
A ‘buddy’ scheme to give those who need help with their digital devices is looking for Welsh speakers.
Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, Digital Communities Wales and the Council teamed up earlier this year to launch Denbighshire Digital Buddies to support those who need help with their devices.
Now Welsh speakers are being asked to come forward and act as ‘digital buddies’ to provide support over the phone.
The pandemic has highlighted how digital inclusion is fundamental and without technology it would be extremely difficult to stay connected with family, friends and loved ones.
There are people who are still not as confident in using tablets and smartphones, and the scheme aims to reach those that feel left behind and help them acquire digital skills.
Gareth Jones, of Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, said: “Communities across Wales and especially in Denbighshire have come together during this pandemic, and our digital buddies scheme has tapped into that positive energy within our communities to support each other but we would like to get more Welsh speakers on board.”
Councillor Bobby Feeley, the Council’s Lead member for Well-being and Independence, said: “This pandemic has brought to light the need for digital assistance more than ever.
“Supporting this scheme is a priority for the Council and it supports our Corporate Plan priority to create resilient and well-connected communities so our residents can access goods and services online.
“We are encouraging Welsh speakers to come forward and volunteer as part of the scheme and help those who need a little extra support developing digital skills.”
Deian ap Rhisiart, of Digital Communities Wales, said: “We have been working in the field of digital inclusion for nearly a decade across Wales, and this is a timely response to tackle the digital skills gap. People need to be able to stay connected, to be able to use digital services, sustain their mental health in lockdown, and technology is an integral part of the solution. As Dyffryn Clwyd is one of the strongholds of the Welsh language, we are appealing for Welsh speaking digital buddies to help in their ‘bro’.”
Volunteer Keith Jones said: "There is a danger of some people in society being left behind. This has become more evident during the pandemic. I would like to use my skillset to assist."
If you have or know of a relative or friend that needs digital help and require help how to use it, the scheme would like to hear from you they can be paired up with a Digital Buddy or if you speak Welsh and would like to become a digital buddy and help in your community, please get in touch.
Please contact Rhys Hughes on 01824 702441 for further information or e-mail office@dvsc.co.uk.
Free entry announced for Denbighshire Urdd National Eisteddfod 2022
Urdd Gobaith Cymru is delighted to announce that entry to the Denbighshire Urdd National Eisteddfod 2022 will be free.
The announcement comes following confirmation of £527,000 funding from the Welsh Government to allow free entry to the Urdd Eisteddfod, which will be held during May half term (30 May – 4 June 2022) during the organisation’s centenary year.
Education and Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles said: “I’m delighted to support this wonderful festival by announcing that entry to the Urdd Eisteddfod 2022 will be free. I hope that as many people as possible take up the opportunity to attend and celebrate the organisation’s hundredth year.
“It’s testament to the work of the Urdd that so many adults reflect fondly on their experience of attending the Eisteddfod and competing when they were younger. The Urdd Eisteddfod is not only a cultural highlight of our Welsh calendar, but also a fantastic way for our children and young people to see and hear our language, speak it themselves, and take part in the many competitive and social events on offer.”
Urdd Chief Executive, Siân Lewis said: “We are extremely grateful to Jeremy Miles MS for confirming that the 2022 Urdd National Eisteddfod will be free to attend. It will be the largest national youth arts festival held in Wales since the beginning of the pandemic, and offering free entry will ensure it’s a festival for all.
“We are proud to be an inclusive organisation which is open to children and young people from all backgrounds. We hope to attract more visitors and competitors from all parts of Wales, including those from deprived areas.”
Director of the Urdd Eisteddfod and Arts Department, Siân Eirian added: “Registration for competing at the 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod has opened today (7 December 2022), which makes this a timely announcement. Individuals, schools, and local ‘Adrannau’ and ‘Aelwydydd’ can now start to think and plan for the competitions.
“Children and young people have missed out on so many cultural activities as a result of Covid, so we’re looking forward to the Eisteddfod immensely, after having to postpone the festival for two years. The support we’ve had from local volunteers and Denbighshire County Council has been fantastic, and we’re excited to continue working together over the next few months to make the Urdd centenary Eisteddfod an unforgettable event.”
Due to the current guidelines regarding Covid-19, over 220 local and regional Eisteddfodau will be held in the spring but without audiences. It has also been decided that all those competing in stage competitions in the 19- and 25-year-old category will go straight through to the Eisteddfod in Denbigh.
Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Denbighshire next year.
“It will certainly be a chance to join together and celebrate the organisation’s centenary year after what has been a difficult period during the pandemic.
“Free entry will give as many people as possible the chance to come and see our talented youngsters perform at the very highest level and I would encourage everyone to take up this offer and experience Welsh culture at its best.”
Further information regarding the local and regional competition rounds is available on the Urdd Eisteddfod website.
Childcare Offer for Wales
The Childcare Offer for Wales supports families across the country with childcare costs
Working parents across Wales – do you know about the Childcare Offer for Wales?
If not, it’s about time you did. Funding from this Welsh Government scheme has already helped many parents and guardians of 3 and 4 year olds from all over Wales to return to work, increase their hours or work more flexibly.
What’s more, others have been able to take up apprenticeship opportunities, develop their skills, change their job, or even start their own business – all thanks to the Childcare Offer for Wales.
What is the Childcare Offer for Wales?
The Childcare Offer for Wales provides government funding for up to 30 hours early education and childcare for working parents in Wales, for up to 48 weeks of the year.
During school term time, the 30 hours is split into two parts: a minimum of 10 hours of early education provision, and a maximum of 20 hours of childcare from a provider registered with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).
As well as 39 weeks of term-time funding, the Offer is also available for up to nine weeks of school holidays each year, with parents able to claim three weeks for every school term they access the Offer. The exact number of holiday weeks you can access depends on factors such as your child’s birthday and the date you begin taking up the Offer. You can check with your local Family Information Service for more detailed, localised information, ensuring that you’re in the know when it comes to your use of the Offer.
It may surprise you just how many different forms of childcare fall under the Offer. Funded childcare can be accessed through any private nursery, Cylch Meithrin (Welsh language playgroup), sessional care setting, playgroup or childminder that has agreed to deliver the Offer in your area and is registered with CIW, while early education can be accessed either in a school nursery or in a childcare setting approved to deliver early education by your Local Authority. You can check with your local Family Information Service which settings in your area deliver each element of the Offer.
How can it help me?
The Childcare Offer for Wales is available to help the hard-working parents of Wales; a little extra money each week could go a long way towards important provisions for your family, while a little extra time might offer you the opportunity to return to work or increase your hours. Parents that have already made use of the Offer will have seen it benefit their lives in different ways.
Take Matt, a father based in Rhondda Cynon Taff, for instance. Of the Offer, he said: “The funding meant that my wife could go back to work for four days a week instead of three, which was a huge help and took the pressure off in more ways than just financially.
“I then recommended it to my family and friends, and they took up the Offer as well.”
As well as the many advantages for parents, financially and otherwise, let’s also not forget about your little one reaping the benefits of attending childcare and early education. With the concerns of affordability reduced by the Offer, parents can be safe in the knowledge that their child is developing and thriving among their peers, making friends and finding their way in the world. All while saving time and money.
His wife, Sarah, added: “Our childminder advised us of the Offer – it really did make such a difference to us and I was so grateful to be told about it. The money we saved added up – we used it for buying clothes, days out and saving money. I decided to increase my hours in work, which was easy because we were saving on childcare costs. I am so grateful for the help we received and would really encourage others to make the most of it.”
How do I know if I’m eligible?
The good news is that most working parents living in Wales are eligible to take up the Offer. Check out the main criteria below, which should give you an idea of whether you should apply:
- Your child must be 3 or 4 years old
- You must be working and earning at least the equivalent of the national minimum wage at 16 hours a week, on average - this applies to single parents and to both parents in two-parent families
- You must earn less than £100,000 a year
If you want to make sure you’re ticking all of the eligibility boxes, you can find out more details here.
Remember - the Childcare Offer for Wales is here to help. What would you do with a bit of extra financial support towards childcare? Perhaps it’s time to find out.
For full details on the Childcare Offer for Wales, click here.
The booster jab is important - make sure you get yours when offered
Booster jab appointments are being offered by letter to eligible people across North Wales and it's really important that you don't delay in accepting your appointment when its sent.
Why do I need a booster?
Like other vaccines the levels of protection can begin to wane over time. By having the booster dose you will be extending the protection you gained from your first two doses giving you longer term protection.
And most importantly it helps to reduce the risk of you needing admission to hospital due to Covid-19 infection this winter.
How do we know it works?
There is evidence from a programme in Israel, that started earlier this year, that gives a strong indication that those who received the booster jab had a lower rate of severe illness compared to those who hadn't received the booster.
There was also a lower rate of confirmed infections in the booster group than in those who didn't receive it.
What we should all remember is that although life is far more normal than it was, the pandemic is still with us, people are still testing positive and unfortunately, are still dying after testing positive for Covid-19.
Can I have the flu and booster at the same time?
Yes it's safe to have both at the same time or close together. Please don't delay accepting when you are offered either dose.
Gill Harris, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at BCUHB, said: “Rates of COVID-19 are still at worryingly high levels and the NHS in Wales is entering its most challenging period of the pandemic.
“Getting a booster jab is a really important part of making sure we protect as many people in our communities as possible as we head into the winter months, and in turn our vital NHS services."!
Please help keep North Wales safe and protect the NHS this winter by:
Disrupt the transmission of Covid-19
Payment to help with winter fuel bills
Applications for a winter fuel support scheme for Denbighshire are now open.
The Council is administering the Welsh Government Winter Fuel Support Scheme which offers eligible households to claim a one-off £100 payment to provide support towards paying winter fuel bills.
Applications for the scheme opened on December 13.
It is open to households where one member is in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Based Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Working Tax Credits at any time between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2022.
The payment will be available to all eligible households regardless of how they pay for fuel, this includes payments made on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly.
Cllr Julian Thompson-Hill, the Council’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “We will be working with Welsh Government colleagues over the coming weeks to ensure this scheme runs as smoothly as possible for Denbighshire residents.
“We would encourage all those eligible to apply for this support scheme and we will process payments as quickly as possible for our residents.”
All applications must be received by 18 February 2022.
For more information or to apply for the scheme visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/benefits
Grŵp Cynefin building a special community in the centre of Denbigh
With Grŵp Cynefin’s extra care housing scheme in Denbigh now completed, staff at the new £12 million scheme are looking forward to welcoming its new residents in the new year.
Awel y Dyffryn is Grŵp Cynefin’s most ambitious project to date, comprising of 42 two-bedroom and 24 one-bedroom apartments for older people who want to live independently in their own homes, but with care and support available should they need it.
An open day on Thursday, January 2, will offer anyone interested in the scheme for themselves, a family member or friend an opportunity to come and see the facilities. If interested, a time slot must be booked by contacting Grwp Cynefin on post@grwpcynefin.org or 0300 111 2122.
The scheme is the result of collaboration between Grŵp Cynefin and Denbighshire County Council, with local contractor R L Davies of Colwyn Bay taking on the building project on the former Middle Lane school site in Denbigh town centre.
The building is designed around landscaped gardens, with areas for socialising, a hairdressing salon, laundry room, restaurant and comfortable, modern flats which residents can decorate and furnish to their own taste.
Noela Jones, Grŵp Cynefin's Head of Neighbourhoods, said:
"We are very proud of our extra care housing schemes. Extra care schemes are not the same as care homes. Instead, what we're offering is apartments for one, for a couple or two people to create a home for themselves with their own front door and complete independence.
“They can come and go as they want and freedom for friends and family to visit as they wish. There are also a range of social events and activities if they want to take part, and daily lunch in the restaurant is an opportunity to catch up, socialise and enjoy a nutritious meal.”
With new manager Manon Jones in place, Awel y Dyffryn is also expected to establish itself as a vibrant hub within the Denbigh community, with regular activities between the residents and the community, schools and local clubs. Manon is keen to hear from people who are interested in renting a flat there for themselves, family members or friends.
“The most important thing if you think you will benefit from living somewhere like Awel y Dyffryn, is to apply,” she says. “We can discuss any care needs, help with arranging services and also help find benefits available if needed.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing a close-knit, vibrant community flourishing in Awel y Dyffryn.”
Cllr Bobby Feeley, the Council’s Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said:
“We are extremely proud to have worked in partnership on this important project for our residents with Grŵp Cynefin.
“Awel y Dyffryn will provide a range of facilities and support which will help older Denbighshire residents maintain and improve their independence, while also supporting our communities to be more resilient.
“We look forward to welcoming the first tenants to their new homes in the new year.”
Those interested should contact Grwp Cynefin on post@grwpcynefin.org or 0300 111 2122. Further information is available on their website.
Vacancies within the Council
We have many jobs which are advertised on a daily basis on our website.
For the latest information on what jobs are available, please visit our website.