Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Sŵn Industry Sessions - helping to take music industry careers to the next level
• Social Services Annual Report - key achievements of staff, partners, and carers from the past 12 months
• Summer with a DIFF'erence - a look back at six weeks of activities, events and experiences for young people

Sŵn Industry Sessions

The organisers of Cardiff's Sŵn Festival have announced Sŵn  Industry Sessions, a programme of panels and training opportunities to inspire future generations engaged in the music industry to take their career to the next stage.

Sŵn Industry Sessions will take place at Tramshed Tech on Saturday 21 October, 9:30am - 7pm as a fringe event to the festival, which runs from Friday 20 October to Sunday 22 October in Cardiff.

With a month to go, organisers are calling for people to book their place for a day of insightful talks, panels and networking opportunities. Individuals can book a free ticket to each session, and don't need a ticket to Sŵn Festival to attend.

Hosted by Clwb Ifor Bach and the University of South Wales (USW), Sŵn Industry Sessions is supported by Cardiff Council and the Cardiff Music Board. The event aims to build and develop the music industry in Wales for now and the future. It also contributes to Cardiff Council's ongoing strategy to place music at the heart of the city's future and its commitment to talent development and innovation in music production and performance as part of its Music City work.

Cardiff Council Leader and Chair of Cardiff Music Board, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "Sŵn Festival is all about providing a platform for new artists, but the music industry also needs promoters, labels, managers and more - people who understand everything from funding and law to press and publishing, as well as the latest innovations in production and performance.

"These industry sessions are the first of many exciting opportunities we'll be bringing forward over the coming months as we continue to deliver Cardiff's music strategy. They aim to secure a pipeline of talent, providing opportunities and inspiration for people just starting out, and with production and performance technology changing faster than ever, helping those already working in the industry to stay equipped for the future, so that music in Cardiff continues to grow and flourish in years to come."

On the day, sessions and talks will be run by music industry experts from Wales, London and beyond. Attendees will also get the chance to engage and network with representatives from the best sector partners and organisations such as Performing Right Society, The PRS Foundation, Phonographic Performance Limited, The Musicians' Union, Arts Council of Wales, Anthem, Tŷ Cerdd, University of South Wales, The Music Managers Forum and Sŵn.

The Music Managers Forum (MMF), the organisation that represents more than 1,500 UK-based music managers, will contribute to the Sŵn Industry Sessions by hosting a keynote interview with Ignition Management founder Marcus Russell on Saturday morning. Born in Ebbw Vale, Marcus remains one of the UK's most experienced music executives, founding Ignition in 1983 and working with the likes of Electronic and The The before steering Oasis to supernova success in the 1990s. Along with partner Alec Mckinlay, Marcus continues to manage Noel Gallagher, alongside artists including Amy Macdonald and Hard Fi, as well as overseeing the Oasis catalogue. Marcus also set up and owns the independent record label Ignition Records, currently handling releases for the likes of Stereophonics, Far From Saints and Courteeners.

Read more here

Social Services Annual Report

Cardiff Council's annual Social Services report has outlined some of the key achievements of staff, partners, and carers in the city over the past 12 months.

The report has also highlighted the continuing challenge of an ever-rising demand for services and a noticeable increase in the complexity of the issues being faced by people who need its help and support.

Despite the challenges, the report highlights a number of significant achievements in both children's and adult services, including:

Children's Services

• 4,623 cases closed, and remain closed (as of March 2023)
• 93 children looked after moved to an independent living placement
• Strategy for 2023-26 agreed
• Major improvements to Youth Justice Service recognised
• An Interventions Hub embedded

Adult Services

• 6,879 care and support plans and 2,831 reviews completed
• 1,247 events held to support older people in staying active and connected to their community with 13,459 participants
• Care'Diff launched to support unpaid carers with information and advice
• A new mental health supported living scheme established as a step-down from residential care
• 45 hospital discharges with care were supported each week on average
• Best practice in dementia care embedded through whole home reviews

Social Services

• 97,116 meals delivered by Meals on Wheels throughout the year
• 753 people registered with Cardiff Cares Academy since October 2021, with 135 new carers helped into a job in 2022-23

Commenting on the report, Cllr Ash Lister, Cabinet Member for Social Services position, covering Children's Services, said: "Good progress has been made in the year in delivering our current Children's Services Strategy - Striving for Excellence. We've continued to visit frontline services throughout the year, gaining an insight into their day-to-day work, the challenges they face and the successes that they achieve. We are really grateful to all our staff and partners who work tirelessly to support the people and families who receive our services."

Cllr Norma Mackie, Cabinet member, with responsibility for Adult Services, added: "I am proud of what has been achieved this year in delivering our Ageing Well Strategy and our work to become an Age Friendly City. This could not have been achieved without the hard work of our staff and the support of our many partners, volunteers, the third sector and care providers, including unpaid carers. The report is a testament to all their hard work."

"There remains much to do and we will continue to work together to provide the leadership needed to support our social care services."

Read more here

Cardiff Youth Service makes it a summer with a ‘DIFF'erence for hundreds of young people

Cardiff's ‘Summer with a DIFF'erence' programme has provided hundreds of young people with six weeks of activities, events and experiences, giving them the opportunity to make new friends and try new things.

The Cardiff Youth Service programme offered an inclusive, fun filled programme of activities for 11-25-year-olds in Cardiff and included day trips, taster sessions in pottery, construction, music and beauty, camping, a range of sports and more.

The ‘initiative ran from mid-July across the city, offering a comprehensive events calendar throughout the school holidays. Cardiff Youth Service held a takeover of the International White Water Centre, wellbeing groups, summer camp, content creation festival, creative activities and hosting youth exchange groups from America and Germany.

The summer events programme is a part of a wider offering from Cardiff Council's Youth Services, which includes 7 youth centres, a range of city-wide projects and other support, including one on one provision. Cardiff Youth Service has 3500 Youth Service members and makes more than 40,000 contacts with young people each year.

Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury said; "This year's summer event programme has given hundreds of young people access to a wide range of provision and opportunities to engage with. Cardiff Youth Service and partners continue to offer services for young people that include youth clubs in communities such as St Mellons, Ely and Caerau, Llanedeyrn, Butetown, Splott as well as city wide projects that include bilingual, digital and street based youth work.

"Our projects offer a safe space for young people to relax, learn new skills and take part in a range of activities that include cooking, arts and crafts, music and sport."

There will be lots more activities, clubs and opportunities taking place throughout the autumn. To find out more about Cardiff Youth Service  visit the website.