'Greenfield offer a real lifeline to sufferers and their carer'

MS for Delyn

Last week I held my Democracy in Action Day for schools from across Flintshire with my colleague Jack Sargeant MS at the Deeside Sixth centre in Connah’s Quay. The Democracy Day event brought young people together to have their say about what they want to see in their community, schools, and what their local Member of the Senedd should be advocating for. Carole Green, from ITV Cymru Wales hosted a ‘Question Time’ style session for the students. There was plenty of discussion, with the debate ranging from important issues such as school lunchtime menus to jobs for young people both during their studies and when they leave education. It is important that young people get active in our democracy, not only voting in elections but also having the confidence and ability to speak up now about the Wales they wish to inherit when older.

I also dropped into the Dementia Care Centre in Greenfield to present a Community Champion Award to David. Their great work in giving advice to people with dementia and their carers is invaluable, it was clear from listening to their stories and what they do in their work how much of an impact they have on people’s lives. September was Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time when people from all over the world unite to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around Alzheimer’s and all types of dementia. It seemed a fitting end to the month, taking a tour around the centre and highlighting the excellent work done here in Delyn. Across Wales, it’s estimated that there are nearly 47,000 older people suffering from the condition, so dementia care centres like the one in Greenfield offer a real lifeline to sufferers and their carers.

One of the many opportunities in the Senedd this week was to attend the British Heart Foundation drop-in session ahead of World Heart Day. This year the BHF’s World Heart Day campaign focused on the essential step of knowing our hearts, as well as the importance of raising awareness of heart conditions. Part of the drop-in centre involved having my blood pressure checked, which is a way to better understand your heart and body and look towards taking action to prevent heart problems in the future.

Another opportunity was to catch up with Sport Wales Chair Tanni Grey-Thompson and CEO Brian Davies at the Sport Wales drop-in session. An amazing £103,124 has been invested into community sport in Delyn from the Be Active Wales Fund in 2022-23. Sport Wales distributes funding to community clubs, volunteers, and athletes in all communities across Wales. The team can help provide information and advice with applications for funding a new sports team, upgrading facilities, and tackling inequality. I often visit local teams and talk regularly with clubs. If you need help sorting funding for your sport please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Sport Wales or message me and I will help point you in the right direction.

Last Friday also marked the annual World's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and ahead of the day I dropped in for a cuppa and slice of cake at the charity’s event in the Senedd. One in two of us will face cancer and everyone will know someone who has been affected in one way or another. Coffee mornings help to raise important funds to keep this invaluable service going and it was great to see many residents across Delyn hosting their own coffee mornings on the day.

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 until an advice surgery.