A view from Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd
Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here.
In this month’s column Wrexham’s MS writes…
Although attitudes towards mental health have changed considerably in recent times, there is still work to be done to make people recognise a person’s mental health is just as important as their physical health.
Now, no matter where you are in Wales, support is available to people of all ages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, or concerned for some else’s wellbeing, the NHS ‘111 press option 2’ is a specialist helpline that launched across North Wales in January but is now available nationwide.
By calling NHS 111 and selecting ‘option 2’, callers will be transferred to a dedicated member of a mental health team in their local health board area.
The Welsh Government has invested £6m to support health boards to implement this important service and ensure its available 24/7.
It can be really hard to open up about mental health and to know where to turn for the right support at the right time, but this helpline streamlines the process and ensures that people in Wrexham and across Wales can access compassionate professionals, who have local knowledge of the area and health board.
☎️ 111 press 2 for mental health support
The NHS ‘111 press option 2’ for mental health service is now available 24/7.
Anyone of any age needing urgent mental health support or worried about someone else can access this free support across Wales.
More: https://t.co/1WvQJLjsKP pic.twitter.com/rx73HESYXV
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) June 21, 2023
Visiting schools in the constituency is always a highlight of my job.
Ken Skates MS and I were recently invited to St Joseph’s Catholic & Anglican High School to find out more about the No Hungry Learners campaign.
Working in partnership with TCC (Together Creating Communities), which is the UK’s oldest community organising charity, students recognised there were issues surrounding school dinner debt. They are now leading the campaign and determined to ensure no child goes without food at school.
.@KenSkatesMS and I were recently invited to @SJ_WXM to find out more about the #NoHungryLearners campaign.
Working in partnership with @TCCWales, students recognised there were issues surrounding school dinner debt & are aiming to ensure no child goes without food at school. pic.twitter.com/v0ut1PLtJ3
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) June 16, 2023
I also visited the wonderful St Christopher’s School, which is one of a select few schools working with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.
As part of the project, staff and students have created the ‘Wales’ and ‘Wrexham AFC’ wall.Thank you to Keira and Leon for telling me all about the work and for inviting me to sign the display.
.@StChrisWrexham is one of a select few schools taking part in the @DameKellysTrust @AQA
Thank you to @pe_stchris for inviting me to sign the @Wrexham_AFC wall and to Keira and Leon for telling me all about the project. pic.twitter.com/JyUBpR9obq
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) June 12, 2023
I was lucky enough to meet Wrexham pupils in Cardiff this month too.
Along with the support of WWF Cymru, St Peter’s Primary School in Rossett is taking part in the ‘Project Seagrass’ campaign, which supports the protection and restoration of Welsh seagrass.
The Year 6 pupils were invited to the Senedd to perform their ‘Seagrass Rap’ and present a special book detailing all their work on the project to the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS.
The children had an amazing experience down in Cardiff and I look forward to visiting St Peter’s School before the end of term.
Lovely to meet students from @StPetersRossett in the #Senedd. Hope you enjoyed your time in Cardiff! pic.twitter.com/OYR4Gg9Bh6
— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) June 7, 2023
To coincide with Clean Air Day (15 June), the Welsh Government announced a new substantial funding package to encourage people to walk or cycle for short journeys more often.
The investment aims to improve active travel routes, making walking and cycling more attractive and accessible to people.
Wrexham has been allocated more than £1.5m and some of the local projects that will benefit centre around the Mold Road, Holt Road and Borras Road.
Happy #CleanAirDay! 🌎
It can be so convenient to hop in the car and pop down the road… But to combat climate change we must make it easier and safer to walk or cycle for those local journeys.
This is why we’re investing £58m in active travel across our communities. pic.twitter.com/ea1yzCafTV
— Welsh Government (@WelshGovernment) June 15, 2023
Finally, Senedd Members from all parties voted in favour of the first made-in-Wales Agriculture Bill last week.
I brought forward the Bill in my role as the Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs and it is expected to come into force later this summer.
The wide-ranging legislation will help support farmers and sustainable food production for generations to come.
Breaking…MS’s have just voted in favour of the first made-in-Wales Agriculture Bill!
It paves the way for ambitious new legislation to:
👩🌾support farmers to produce food sustainably
🌍tackle the climate & nature emergencies
🏴protect our countryside, culture & language pic.twitter.com/wrWMCGnPx2— Welsh Government Rural Affairs (@WGRural) June 27, 2023
If you’re a constituent in Wrexham and there is anything I could help you with, please email me: [email protected] or call 01978 355743. You can sign up to my regular e-newsletter by clicking here.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email [email protected]
