By Hannah Blythyn

MP for Delyn

Last month, polls were open once again locally – this time as students at Bagillt’s Ysgol Merllyn Primary School had their annual ‘general election’ day. Pupils from nursery onwards were eligible to vote for their preferred candidate for Prime Minister on the day, a process that was very ably overseen by volunteer polling officers from Year 6. Candidates had been able to canvass for support and quizzed in their pledges by fellow students in the run up to the election and, on polling day, one of the students even carried out an exit poll as ‘voters’ left the classroom that was set up as a polling station!

It’s brilliant to see students of all ages so engaged and enthused by the initiative and the school’s effort is a great example of how to get youngsters involved in democratic participation. I’ve really enjoyed supporting the school’s work in this area over a number of years and I look forward to meeting with the newly-elected Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister – Wiktoria and Noah – and all members of the Ysgol Merllyn Parliament and hopefully welcoming them to the Senedd in the future.

Regular Leader readers will know that I worked in the trade union movement prior to being elected and that I have continued to work closely with the trade unions in the years since, whether that is supporting local workplaces or advocating and bringing in better policies to make a difference to workers. So, during the Senedd’s half term recess, I was pleased to have the opportunity to return to a Unite National Equalities Conference and to share with delegates some of the work I led in government on social partnership as well as on LGBTQ+ equality. It was also a chance to hear more about the work happening in workplaces and communities across the country and I definitely came home full of enthusiasm and ideas for work I can build upon back home.

Recently, the Welsh Government announced a further £1.5m grant to local authorities to support and expand safe and warm hubs across Wales, which for many people offer a chance to socialise and get warm in a safe and supportive environment. More than 850 hubs have been established across Wales since 2022, helping more than 117,000 people, and, here in Flintshire, the council runs ‘Warm Welcome’ hubs across the county – check out the map available at www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Cost-of-Living-Hub/Warm-Welcome.aspx for details on where they are.

Warm hubs are just one of the programmes the Welsh Government has in place to help with the cost of living in Wales. Despite the pressures on the current Welsh Government budget, there are a variety of schemes aimed at helping to make things easier for Welsh families this winter, from the Discretionary Assistance Fund to the Warm Homes Programme, plus there are schemes from the UK Government available as well. For a full list of the help that’s available, go to my website at www.hannahblythyn.cymru/help-with-the-cost-of-living, or, if you prefer, email me at hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales for a version you can read on screen or print out.

Finally, Football Association of Wales (FAW) has opened its fund for applications to help young people buy kit and equipment to aid them getting involved with football in their local communities. Called the PAWB Fund, the grants are available to youngsters between five and 18 years old and living in Wales and it’s designed to help cover membership fees, provide equipment and kit like boots or shinpads or to help with travel costs. Applications are now open and players must be nominated by a club, school or community group – for more information, go to https://faw.cymru/pawb/pawb-fund.

As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.