Dr. Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli and local Plaid AM, Helen Mary Jones, have welcomed a u-turn from Labour over support for older disabled people. Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance previously been under threat to pay for Government schemes in England.
The Government has now promised that they will no longer be looking to change them in the next Parliament.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary had supported local disabilities and pensions campaigners in fighting the threat and had worked closely with Plaid colleagues in Westminster to oppose these changes which would have seen thousands of elderly and vulnerable people in Llanelli between £65 and £75 per week worse off on average.
Dr. Davies said:
“This U-turn doesn’t come a moment too soon– although some might question its timing just before a general election”.
Across Llanelli, 4,000 people depend on Attendance allowance while 8,000 people depend on Disability Living Allowance.
“These people are all either disabled or over the age of 65, the groups least likely to be able to live on their own and look after themselves.
“The proposals that Labour made last summer put enormous pressure on our most vulnerable people. It is wrong that so many of them and their families have had to live with the uncertainty about how they would manage to live independently if this support was taken away”.
“It was unacceptable that the Government suggested these cruel cuts in the first place”.
“They are not doing our most vulnerable people a favour by removing the threat that they themselves made.”
Helen Mary added:
“We have fought these changes since they were first suggested and we have been supporting local disability rights and pensioners groups in putting pressure on the Government to change its mind”.
“It is clear that the combined pressure has helped the Government towards this last minute conversion”.
“We should not have needed to defend support for the most vulnerable but, time and again, we have had to do so. Decisions on support for our most vulnerable need to be made by the Assembly in Cardiff so that we can avoid the distress caused to so many older and disabled people by these cruel cuts initially planned by Labour.”
Showing posts with label disability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disability. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Plaid fury at council plans to cut services for disabled young people
Local AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid’s Parliamentary candidate for Llanelli Myfanwy Davies have expressed their anger over Carmarthen Council’s proposals to make massive cutbacks to the budgets for learning disabilities and services relating to special schools, as part of their big plans to make millions of savings over the next three years.
The plans to cut £460,000 per year from services to disabled young people are part of a series of proposals being looked at by the County council as part of their response to the huge cuts imposed by the London Government to the bank bail out.
Helen Mary and Myfanwy are very concerned about the impact such cuts could have on those with learning disabilities in Llanelli.
Plaid ‘s Helen Mary Jones said:
"These plans to make cuts to the learning disabilities budget are totally unacceptable. The council needs to undertake a Comprehensive Spending Review, so that they can then identify what services can be done without.
Services are already stretched, and it’s unfair that it’s our vulnerable people in Llanelli that have to suffer. As a result of cuts to the budget of Wales by the London Labour government, those services crucial to children and older people are already feeling the strain . Myfanwy and I are committed to protecting our essential services such as schools and hospitals.”
Plaid’s Parliamentary Candidate Myfanwy Davies added:
“These are servies that are absouloutely necessary to people in Llanelli. people with learning disabilities and their families just can’t be asked to do without proper support and education. Of course the county council has to make cuts, but we will not stand by while they cut services to the most vulnerable and continue to spend our money on non- essentials to include sponsporships, marketing and hospitality.
These cuts show all too plainly that the Council in Carmarthen is completely out of touch with our needs in Llanelli.”
The plans to cut £460,000 per year from services to disabled young people are part of a series of proposals being looked at by the County council as part of their response to the huge cuts imposed by the London Government to the bank bail out.
Helen Mary and Myfanwy are very concerned about the impact such cuts could have on those with learning disabilities in Llanelli.
Plaid ‘s Helen Mary Jones said:
"These plans to make cuts to the learning disabilities budget are totally unacceptable. The council needs to undertake a Comprehensive Spending Review, so that they can then identify what services can be done without.
Services are already stretched, and it’s unfair that it’s our vulnerable people in Llanelli that have to suffer. As a result of cuts to the budget of Wales by the London Labour government, those services crucial to children and older people are already feeling the strain . Myfanwy and I are committed to protecting our essential services such as schools and hospitals.”
Plaid’s Parliamentary Candidate Myfanwy Davies added:
“These are servies that are absouloutely necessary to people in Llanelli. people with learning disabilities and their families just can’t be asked to do without proper support and education. Of course the county council has to make cuts, but we will not stand by while they cut services to the most vulnerable and continue to spend our money on non- essentials to include sponsporships, marketing and hospitality.
These cuts show all too plainly that the Council in Carmarthen is completely out of touch with our needs in Llanelli.”
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Dafydd Iwan, Helen Mary and Myfanwy to close Breaktho’s 25th anniversary celebrations with one-off fund-raising concert on Saturday
Popular singer and Plaid Cymru President Dafydd Iwan will join Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate and Helen Mary Jones AM together with and parents, volunteers and young people with a range of disabilities to close Breakthro’ s 25th birthday celebration with a special concert at Stebonheath Club on Saturday. Dafydd Iwan has been a disability campaigner for many years and is a founder member of Antur Waunfawr a successful community enterprise based outside Caernarfon which is part-run by people with disabilities.
The group’s birthday celebrations began on 25th of July when Dafydd Iwan visited the Coleshill Centre to cut an enormous 40 inch birthday cake. He and Myfanwy served the cake to volunteers and Breakthro’ members and Dafydd closed the visit by singing especially composed songs to the young people. Last weekend a group of Breakthro volunteers led by Jessica Sheehan completed a sponsored climb to the summit of Snowdon to celebrate the group’s birthday. Before beginning their climb, they were met for breakfast by Myfanwy and Hywel Williams MP, who represents the Arfon constituency in which Snowdon stands.
Tickets for Saturday’s concert are selling fast with some sold to people from Neath and one man travelling by bus from Swansea to Burry Port solely to make sure he had a ticket in advance. Dafydd Iwan will be waiving his usual fee and it is hoped that the group will make over £1,000 to support its activities.
Dafydd Iwan said:
“I am fully supportive of the work of Breakthro’. It is enormously important that young people with disabilities get to meet and socialise with each other as well as learning skills in mainstream schools and colleges. The young people have developed exceptionally strong friendships and they have learnt to depend on each other and to support each other. Developing that kind of trust takes years but it is crucial if people with a range of disabilities are to have a full social life. I was delighted that Myfanwy asked me to become involved with the group and am looking forward to Saturday very much.
Myfanwy said:
“We are very grateful to Dafydd for coming down once again to support Breakthro’. The impromptu concert he gave the young people last month was an extraordinary event with some young people who are usually quite withdrawn coming out of themselves and singing and dancing to the music. Next Saturday’s concert promises to be even better and tickets are going fast. I’m pleased that Helen Mary will be able to be there too. Like me she is very proud of Breakthro’ Llanelli because of the work it does but also because of the unstinting support the group has from people and groups across Llanelli”.
Christine Darkin, who has been Breakthro’s organiser for over 10 years said:
“Just a few months ago we were facing a drastic cut in our budget and we were considering how we could continue to keep the club going for our members who are now adults and who have grown up with the Club. Now thanks to an intervention by social services, we are looking forward to going into our 26th year and the support we’ve had from people across Llanelli has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to Dafydd’s concert !”
Notes to Editor
The concert will take place at Stebonheath Football Club in Llanelli at 7pm on Saturday 15th August. Tickets will be available at the venue and are priced at £10 or can be ordered on 07940122776
The group’s birthday celebrations began on 25th of July when Dafydd Iwan visited the Coleshill Centre to cut an enormous 40 inch birthday cake. He and Myfanwy served the cake to volunteers and Breakthro’ members and Dafydd closed the visit by singing especially composed songs to the young people. Last weekend a group of Breakthro volunteers led by Jessica Sheehan completed a sponsored climb to the summit of Snowdon to celebrate the group’s birthday. Before beginning their climb, they were met for breakfast by Myfanwy and Hywel Williams MP, who represents the Arfon constituency in which Snowdon stands.
Tickets for Saturday’s concert are selling fast with some sold to people from Neath and one man travelling by bus from Swansea to Burry Port solely to make sure he had a ticket in advance. Dafydd Iwan will be waiving his usual fee and it is hoped that the group will make over £1,000 to support its activities.
Dafydd Iwan said:
“I am fully supportive of the work of Breakthro’. It is enormously important that young people with disabilities get to meet and socialise with each other as well as learning skills in mainstream schools and colleges. The young people have developed exceptionally strong friendships and they have learnt to depend on each other and to support each other. Developing that kind of trust takes years but it is crucial if people with a range of disabilities are to have a full social life. I was delighted that Myfanwy asked me to become involved with the group and am looking forward to Saturday very much.
Myfanwy said:
“We are very grateful to Dafydd for coming down once again to support Breakthro’. The impromptu concert he gave the young people last month was an extraordinary event with some young people who are usually quite withdrawn coming out of themselves and singing and dancing to the music. Next Saturday’s concert promises to be even better and tickets are going fast. I’m pleased that Helen Mary will be able to be there too. Like me she is very proud of Breakthro’ Llanelli because of the work it does but also because of the unstinting support the group has from people and groups across Llanelli”.
Christine Darkin, who has been Breakthro’s organiser for over 10 years said:
“Just a few months ago we were facing a drastic cut in our budget and we were considering how we could continue to keep the club going for our members who are now adults and who have grown up with the Club. Now thanks to an intervention by social services, we are looking forward to going into our 26th year and the support we’ve had from people across Llanelli has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to Dafydd’s concert !”
Notes to Editor
The concert will take place at Stebonheath Football Club in Llanelli at 7pm on Saturday 15th August. Tickets will be available at the venue and are priced at £10 or can be ordered on 07940122776
Dafydd Iwan and Myfanwy to celebrate Breaktho’s 25th anniversary with young people and carers
Popular singer and Plaid Cymru President Dafydd Iwan will join Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate and parents and young people with learning difficulties to celebrate Breakthro’ s 25th birthday at the Coleshill Centre on Saturday. Dafydd Iwan has been a disability campaigner for many years and is a founder member of Antur Waunfawr a successful community enterprise based outside Caernarfon which is run by people with learning difficulties and employs people with and without learning disabilities.
On Saturday, children and young people will meet with Dafydd Iwan and Myfanwy Davies, who is a sponsor of Breakthro’ to share a 40inch square birthday cake. Dafydd Iwan will also perform in a fundraising concert for Breakthro on 15th August at Stebonheath Club in Llanelli.
Dafydd Iwan said:
“Breakthro’ does extremely important work and I’m particularly pleased to see some of the younger people themselves starting to run the group. I know from my experience at Antur Waunfawr what a difference that makes to young people’s sense of pride in themselves that they are able to make their own decisions. It is a real achievement for eveyone involved in Breakthro’ to have kept the group going so long and it also reflects the incredible support they have had from people in Llanelli. Da iawn nhw!”
Myfanwy said:
“Dafydd and I are immensely pleased to be part of the birthday celebrations that will also include Dafydd’s concert on the 15th of August. The difference Breakthro’ makes in the lives of the children and young people it serves is immeasurable because it gives them a place where they are never judged and where they can take responsibility for each other. I wish them a wonderful birthday and a great anniversary year”
Robin Burn, Trustee of Breakthro said:
“All the members of the Management committee, and Christine and Jess our club Coordinators are immensely pleased to have Myfanwy and Dafydd take part in our birthday celebrations on Saturday. All our clients are excited at the prospect of a special birthday celebratio
n with all the trimmings. Special thanks to Dafydd for supporting us through the concert on August 15th. We hope this will help raise funds to enhancing the lives of the adults and children that use the club, Diolch yn fawr, Dafydd a Myfanwy” .
Notes to Editor
Breakthro’ was established in Llanelli in 1984 to provide social activities and opportunities for children with learning difficulties. Parents, carers and the young people themselves coopertate in organising actitivites including holidays, cinema visits, meals and fund-raising events. Activities are provided for children and for young people who have grown up with Breakthro’. The future of the group had been in doubt due to a lack of funding but a recent contribution from Carmarthenshire County Council has ensured that it has been able to continue into its 26th year.
On Saturday, children and young people will meet with Dafydd Iwan and Myfanwy Davies, who is a sponsor of Breakthro’ to share a 40inch square birthday cake. Dafydd Iwan will also perform in a fundraising concert for Breakthro on 15th August at Stebonheath Club in Llanelli.
Dafydd Iwan said:
“Breakthro’ does extremely important work and I’m particularly pleased to see some of the younger people themselves starting to run the group. I know from my experience at Antur Waunfawr what a difference that makes to young people’s sense of pride in themselves that they are able to make their own decisions. It is a real achievement for eveyone involved in Breakthro’ to have kept the group going so long and it also reflects the incredible support they have had from people in Llanelli. Da iawn nhw!”
Myfanwy said:
“Dafydd and I are immensely pleased to be part of the birthday celebrations that will also include Dafydd’s concert on the 15th of August. The difference Breakthro’ makes in the lives of the children and young people it serves is immeasurable because it gives them a place where they are never judged and where they can take responsibility for each other. I wish them a wonderful birthday and a great anniversary year”
Robin Burn, Trustee of Breakthro said:
“All the members of the Management committee, and Christine and Jess our club Coordinators are immensely pleased to have Myfanwy and Dafydd take part in our birthday celebrations on Saturday. All our clients are excited at the prospect of a special birthday celebratio
n with all the trimmings. Special thanks to Dafydd for supporting us through the concert on August 15th. We hope this will help raise funds to enhancing the lives of the adults and children that use the club, Diolch yn fawr, Dafydd a Myfanwy” .
Notes to Editor
Breakthro’ was established in Llanelli in 1984 to provide social activities and opportunities for children with learning difficulties. Parents, carers and the young people themselves coopertate in organising actitivites including holidays, cinema visits, meals and fund-raising events. Activities are provided for children and for young people who have grown up with Breakthro’. The future of the group had been in doubt due to a lack of funding but a recent contribution from Carmarthenshire County Council has ensured that it has been able to continue into its 26th year.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Breaktho reaches for the summit to celebrate 25th anniversary on top of Snowdon
Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate and patron of Llanelli disabilities group, Breakthro’, met volunteers working for the group celebrating Breakthro’ s 25th birthday and raising funds by climbing Snowdon on Saturday 6th August. Dr Davies was joined by Hywel Williams MP who represents the Arfon constituency in which Snowdon stands, for breakfast with the group. Mr Williams who worked for many years in social care, recently helped celebrate the 25th Birthday of Antur Waunfawr a successful community enterprise based in his constituency outside Caernarfon which is part-run by people with learning difficulties.
.
Hywel Williams said:
“It goes without saying that young people with disabilities need to learn and gain confidence in a range of settings. My experience with Antur Waunfawr has shown me how people like the members of Breakthro’ can make very important contributions in the workplace. Breakthro’ also offers children and young people a place where they can take responsibility for themselves and each other. I’m immensely pleased that the group has lasted so long particularly since it was recently under threat. The fact that the group has lasted so long says a lot about the support that people in Llanelli have been willing to give it over the years and it's great that Myfanwy was able to help gain the core funding that Breakthro' relies on!”
Myfanwy said:
“The work Breakthro’ does is sometimes overlooked because it doesn’t focus on teaching skills or preparing people for employment. The group is mainly focused on enabling young people a range of disabilities to have the same kind of social life as other people of their age. I have seen many of the young people support and help each other week by week. On Saturday the volunteers climbing Snowdon had a large part of our country at their feet. I hope that memory stays with them because there is so much they can do they work together. I’m now looking forward to the Dafydd Iwan concert next Saturday that is the high point of Breakthro’s birthday celebrations”
Jessica Sheehan Breakthro’ organiser said:
“We wanted to mark the birthday in style. Breakthro’ is all about making sure that our members have access to all the things they want to do. What better way could there be of celebrating what Breakthro has done and what it wants to do than to climb right up to the top of Snowdon?
.
Hywel Williams said:
“It goes without saying that young people with disabilities need to learn and gain confidence in a range of settings. My experience with Antur Waunfawr has shown me how people like the members of Breakthro’ can make very important contributions in the workplace. Breakthro’ also offers children and young people a place where they can take responsibility for themselves and each other. I’m immensely pleased that the group has lasted so long particularly since it was recently under threat. The fact that the group has lasted so long says a lot about the support that people in Llanelli have been willing to give it over the years and it's great that Myfanwy was able to help gain the core funding that Breakthro' relies on!”
Myfanwy said:
“The work Breakthro’ does is sometimes overlooked because it doesn’t focus on teaching skills or preparing people for employment. The group is mainly focused on enabling young people a range of disabilities to have the same kind of social life as other people of their age. I have seen many of the young people support and help each other week by week. On Saturday the volunteers climbing Snowdon had a large part of our country at their feet. I hope that memory stays with them because there is so much they can do they work together. I’m now looking forward to the Dafydd Iwan concert next Saturday that is the high point of Breakthro’s birthday celebrations”
Jessica Sheehan Breakthro’ organiser said:
“We wanted to mark the birthday in style. Breakthro’ is all about making sure that our members have access to all the things they want to do. What better way could there be of celebrating what Breakthro has done and what it wants to do than to climb right up to the top of Snowdon?
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Myfanwy works with Breakthro’ Llanelli to win cash promise from County Council
Following concerns raised by members of the Breakthro’ Llanelli group, Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli, and Breakthro’ sponsor, supported committee members when they met with Robin Moulster the Senior Principal Officer for Learning Disabilities on Friday. The group which supports social activities for children and adults with learning disabilities also helps them integrate in to society. Last year Carmarthenshire County Council asked the group to separate its activities for children and adults leading to doubling staff costs with no additional income. Myfanwy raised the issue of funds for the group and asked for a meeting with a senior official at the County Council. At the meeting which was eventually held last Friday, Myfanwy and the committee members described the range of activities that Breakthro undertakes and their value to the children and adults. They also explained how the shortfall of £5,000 in funding would mean that the group could not continue after this year. Myfanwy and committee members were delighted that Mr.Moulster pledged £1,500 in funding immediately and also promised to try to find funds to meet the remaining funding gap.
Speaking from her campaign office in Llanelli, Myfanwy said:
“I’m delighted that the Council has decided to support the important work that Breakthro’ in Llanelli does. Social activities might not seem to be a priority but they are the chance for many of these young people to have a social life. The young people also have tasks in Breakthro’ like organising rotas, collecting funds and in some cases learn skills like DJ-ing and sitting on committees. The skills the young people learn help them integrate and nobody who has seen them raising funds in the town centre would say that they are not happy and confident in each other’s company”
“We still have some way to go to address the rest of the funding gap. As ever, we will be raising money for the activities but alongside that, we’ll be working to find those with the County Council and others to restore the money that will allow us to pay a part-time wage to our convenor who is currently working for free”.
Speaking from her campaign office in Llanelli, Myfanwy said:
“I’m delighted that the Council has decided to support the important work that Breakthro’ in Llanelli does. Social activities might not seem to be a priority but they are the chance for many of these young people to have a social life. The young people also have tasks in Breakthro’ like organising rotas, collecting funds and in some cases learn skills like DJ-ing and sitting on committees. The skills the young people learn help them integrate and nobody who has seen them raising funds in the town centre would say that they are not happy and confident in each other’s company”
“We still have some way to go to address the rest of the funding gap. As ever, we will be raising money for the activities but alongside that, we’ll be working to find those with the County Council and others to restore the money that will allow us to pay a part-time wage to our convenor who is currently working for free”.
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