Robs Weekly Round-Up

28 October 2022

Dear colleagues,

I’d like to start this week’s round-up with a congratulations to the Vale Youth Service for achieving the Silver Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales. The Quality Mark award is one of the highest accolades in the sector and is awarded to teams such as ours as recognition that their work enables young people to learn and develop personal and social skills and is underpinned by a sound range of policies.

Representatives of the Youth Service featured heavily among those teams and individuals shortlisted for the recent staff awards. It is great to see that their work is also receiving external recognition. Gwaith gwych pawb.

Another team whose work touches the lives of many children and young people is that of our Fostering team in Children and Young People Services. As you read this, there are children in the Vale of Glamorgan in need of someone. They need to be heard, believed in and cared for. Working as part of Foster Wales our team helps find people who can provide this much needed support.

Fostering can mean very different levels of support and the duration of foster care can vary. It can be as short as an overnight stay, a few months, or something more long-term. Each child is an individual who needs something unique. There are many types of foster care but they all share one thing in common – they provide a home. A safe place and a nurturing environment where children can grow.

The team shared with me a testimonial earlier this week. “For us, it didn’t feel right to go down the path of having more children of our own. So, we looked into fostering instead and contacted our local authority fostering team. It’s given us an opportunity to care and nurture again. It’s a privilege to be able to make a difference to these children’s lives. I like to think it’s brought out the best in me too.” It has clearly been a rewarding experience for those carers, Rich and Tania, and I am sure made possible only by the care and support of our team. I’d like to thank them for all they do to recruit and support the network of carers in the Vale.

The team are always recruiting new foster carers. There is no such thing as a typical foster family. Whatever your circumstances. Whether you’re paying a mortgage or paying rent. Whether you’re married or single. Whatever your sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion. If you want to make a difference, you can foster. If you want to know more just get in touch with our coordinator: megparry@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

I’d also like to thank all those behind the Everyone’s Garden project which opened to the community last week. I couldn’t quite squeeze a mention into my last message but didn’t want to let another opportunity pass to give a shout out to this excellent piece of work.

The Community Investment Team in Housing Services led on the project, which was also supported by the Vale Youth Service, Colcot Primary School, and the Flying Start team. Working with partners from other sectors and most importantly local residents, the teams have transformed a previously derelict site off Margaret Avenue in Barry into a flourishing space for the community to enjoy. A crowd turned out for the opening last week and I expect the garden will prove very popular for a long time to come.

Some of you many have already seen that the Council is taking part in the Stonewall staff feedback survey to help us learn more about your thoughts on inclusivity in the Council. As a Stonewall Diversity Champion, we want to make sure that everyone can be themselves at work, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. You can complete the survey by 5 November to share your views. By doing so you’ll help us to see how we are doing and what we need to focus on next. All the information you provide is anonymous and completely confidential.

Looking ahead, we are now in the final stages of launching our Warm Welcome initiative that will offer a wide range of support and activities to residents across the Autumn and Winter. A great deal of work has been done to get us to this point and I’d like to thank all of those who have been busily making arrangements to make sure those who need it will have somewhere warm and welcoming open to them.

Next week will also see next year’s proposed Annual Delivery Plan reported to Cabinet. In light of the critical challenges facing those living in the Vale we are planning to refocus much of our work around three key areas. These are supporting people during the cost of living crisis, Project Zero, and ensuring our organisation is strong and resilient enough to weather what is likely to be a challenging few years in budgetary terms. While the plan will present our work for 2023/24 as a list of objectives and actions, my SLT colleagues and I never lose sight of the fact that it is our colleagues, you as individuals, who deliver that work. I’d like to thank you all in advance for all I know you will do to support the Vale.  

Finally, I know many of you will be reading this while looking forward to the half term break. As always there are a range of events on across the Vale, covering Halloween, bonfire night, and lots to do with family and friends. Check out our Visit the Vale website to see what’s on in your area. Whatever your plans I hope you all find time to enjoy yourselves.

Thanks as always for your work this week. Diolch yn fawr.

Rob.