Here is our latest update, covering: helping to ease pressure on families during school holidays; Virtual School Headteacher; Don't lose your vote; and new street art at Cardiff school.

Council helps to ease pressure on families during school holidays

Teams across Cardiff Council, along with partner organisations and community groups throughout the city, are joining forces to help families facing financial difficulties during the school summer holiday period.

A range of support is available at a time when there is increased financial pressures and parents and families can be guided towards ways in which youngsters can stay active and entertained, as well as how free and low-cost ways to feed families can be accessed.

The ‘Food and Fun' programme, now in its eighth year, is delivered through 27 of the city's schools. The multi-award-winning school holiday enrichment programme provides free meals alongside an exciting line-up of free fun activities, skills and sports delivered by partner organisations, including Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which supports nutrition education sessions.

In addition, a host of other organisations, charities and companies are promoting free or low-cost ways to ensure everyone can eat healthily.

Cllr Sarah Merry, Cardiff Council's Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Member for Education, said: "Many people will be feeling the effects of the continuing cost of living crisis but for some families the impact is far greater, particularly with the added financial burden that the long school holidays bring.

"We recognise the need for and importance of our Food and Fun scheme. Over the last  eight years we have established successful partnership working which has played a key role in supporting positive health and wellbeing amongst those children who benefit from the scheme the most.

"By providing access to physical activity, healthy meals and nutrition and food sessions, the initiative offers a wide range of fun activities which some children may not usually have the chance to enjoy.

"I'm delighted that the scheme has grown year on year and I'm looking forward to visiting many of the sessions this summer to meet the children and  our dedicated members of staff."

Cabinet Member for tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury said: "Our Money Advice team is still here to help people who need support over the school holidays, and beyond. If anyone is struggling, it's important to remember that help is available for everyone, just pop into your local hub or call the Adviceline. Our teams are waiting to help."

Read about activities and practical advice here

Virtual School and Virtual School Headteacher: Report highlights progress of pilot

The progress made by Cardiff's Virtual School (VS) and Virtual School Headteacher (VSH) has been presented in a report to the Council's Children and Young Person's Scrutiny Committee.

Established in April 2023, the Welsh Government funded pilot aims to improve the educational progress and achievement of all children looked after by their authority, including those that have been placed in schools in other authorities.

As children in care are educated across numerous schools, the Virtual School Head Teacher undertakes the crucial responsibility of monitoring their progress as if they were attending a single institution.

The scheme fosters collaboration between education, social services, and other stakeholders and working in partnership with other authorities, supports the educational progress of these children.

The primary responsibilities of the Virtual School and Virtual School Headteacher include:

• Establishing a rigorous tracking and monitoring system to ensure the academic attainment of looked after children.
• Ensuring that every child in care has a robust and effective plan in place to facilitate access to timely and appropriate support.
• Advocating for the educational needs of looked after children across the local authority and beyond.
• Leading and managing the Virtual School Team to provide support and guidance to schools and other relevant agencies.
• Influencing policy and decision-making processes related to the educational well-being of looked after children.

The Virtual School is not a physical building attended by the children in care, as they continue to attend the schools where they are registered.

Read more here

Don't lose your vote - residents in Cardiff urged to check voter registration details

Cardiff residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details to ensure they can have their say at future elections.

The annual canvass allows the Council to keep the electoral register up to date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections, and to encourage them to register before it's too late.

More people can vote in Welsh elections than ever before, so this is an important opportunity to update the electoral register. Anyone aged 16 or over can vote in Welsh local government and Senedd elections, regardless of where they were born and anyone aged 14 and above can register.

Davina Fiore, Deputy Electoral Registration Officer at Cardiff Council, said: "Residents should keep an eye out for updates from the Council over the next few weeks. The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address in the city is accurate and up to date.

"To make sure you don't lose your say at upcoming elections, simply follow the instructions sent to you. If you're not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote."

Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. In Wales, 91% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 30% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.

Read more here

Ceridwen's cauldron bubbles over intonew street art at Cardiff school

Imagery from an old Welsh myth has been given the 21^stCentury treatment and now adorns the walls of a city high school, thanks to a collaboration between the Council's graffiti removal team, pupils and local artists.

The tale of Ceridwen's cauldron was the inspiration for a project that brought together Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr's art department, members of the Council's caretaking services teams and street artist Myles Hindle.

Myles worked with the pupils to explore different street art techniques before designing and painting their colourful creations depicting the story of the mythical white witch, renowned for her magic potions, on a school wall.

Myles said: "I really enjoyed working with Ysgol Plasmawr and the pupils. I provided lots of prepared wood, canvases, paper, card, paint, rollers and trays for the pupils to paint on. They really loved using the spray paint."

Art teacher Bethan Karroumi at Ysgol Plasmawr, said: "Plasmawr's Street Art Project was established in 2018 with the intention of encouraging pupil school engagement by giving them ownership over content, placement, and execution whilst at the same time brightening up the walls of the school.

"It has been very rewarding for our pupils to be able to work with local artists over the years and Myles was no exception. These projects bring so much more than just the visual reward to the children and the school; the whole involvement means that they are engaging and communicating which after such a difficult period following Covid is of paramount importance.

"We have plans to work in collaboration with Myles and The Caretaking Services Team again soon on local community projects in Fairwater - the pupils are very keen to participate."

Read more here