Here's your Friday update, covering:Summer with a ‘DIFF'erence - Cardiff Youth Service launches 2023 event programme; Statue of Rugby Codebreakers unveiled; Adamsdown Primary School receives outstanding Estyn report; and New Green Flags for green spaces in Cardiff.
Summer with a ‘DIFF'erence! Cardiff Youth Service launches 2023 event programme
Cardiff Youth Service has launched Summer with a DIFF'erence', a city-wide activity and event programme aimed at young people aged 11-25 years.
Delivered through youth clubs, street-based youth provision, online and targeted projects across Cardiff, the line-up includes a range of activity such as day trips, taster sessions in pottery, construction, music and beauty, hosting youth exchanges, Esports programme and a Cardiff Youth Service takeover of the Aqua Park and Cardiff International White Water Centre.
As well as a range of sports, wellbeing groups and creative activity, Cardiff Content Creators are offering a unique opportunity for young people aged 11-17 to take part in a digital summer camp and Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre are providing a series of outdoor experiences.
Youth clubs will also be open across the service offering a safe space and support for young people to take part in a range of activities such as cooking, arts and crafts, gaming and sport.
A host of events to help young people decide on their next steps following exams will also take place, as well as mentoring sessions providing support into employment, education, training, volunteering.
The Summer with a DIFF'erence programme will be updated regularly online. To find out more you can visit Upcoming events (cardiffyouthservices.wales) or join the conversation on social media #cyssymmer
To stay up to date with Cardiff Youth Services work follow their social media channels Instagram and facebook @cardifffyouthservice
Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury said; "Cardiff currently has 3500 Youth Service members and makes more than 40,000 contacts with young people each year. These significant figures show how important and well used the provision is, providing a lifeline for many young people, giving them a place to go and someone to talk to.
"This year's summer event programme will give access to a wide range of provision and an opportunity for young people to take part in informal activity based on their needs. In addition to this, I welcome Welsh Governments funding and commitment to working with local residents and other partners to develop a grassroots-led community plan for Caerau and Ely, helping to meet the needs and aspirations of local people with a strong focus on supporting children and young people. This work will help to inform wider engagement programmes across Cardiff and the rest of Wales."
Statue of Rugby Codebreakers unveiled
A statue celebrating three of Cardiff's legendary ‘Rugby Codebreakers' has been unveiled in Cardiff Bay today. It is the first statue in Wales ever to feature non-fictionalised, named black men.
Designed by sculptor Steve Winterburn, whose work is renowned for its realistic, action-filled character, the statue in Landsea Square immortalises three of Wales's greatest sporting heroes, chosen by a public vote: Billy Boston, Clive Sullivan, and Gus Risman.
The ‘One Team. One Race: Honouring the Cardiff Bay Rugby Codebreakers' project behind the statue was established in 2020, and was inspired by calls from the Butetown, and wider Cardiff Bay community, for a fitting tribute to the players who did so much to improve race relations across Britain.
Chairman of the One Team. One Race: Honouring the Cardiff Bay Rugby Codebreakers project, businessman and philanthropist, Sir Stanley Thomas OBE, who kick started fundraising for the statue with a significant personal donation, said: "I am delighted after just 2 years of campaigning and raising funds, we as a committee have reached our fundraising target and we are all here today with Billy, the families of all players, donors and local community unveiling this magnificent piece of art by Steve Winterburn that recognises these wonderful sporting legends in their home city of Cardiff.
"I would like to personally extend my thanks to Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, The Heritage and Cultural Exchange, the Peterson Family, Rugby Football League Facilities Trust, Cardiff and Vale College and The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers for their kind donations and the support of Capital Law, Verde Finance, Azets and Rio for their professional skills and time supporting the delivery of this project."
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "To have a statue of these incredible players at the heart of Cardiff Bay, in touching distance of the proud multi-cultural communities where they grew up, will serve as a source of inspiration for generations to come. Their achievements have been overlooked for too long, and I'm delighted that today, they are finally being honoured and celebrated in the city of their birth. I'm grateful to all who've helped make it happen"
Chair of the Heritage and Cultural Exchange, Gaynor Legall, said: "I grew up in the same community as these players. They were heroes to us then for their achievements and they still are. It's wonderful to be here today with members of the local community to see the unveiling of this fantastic statue and have their great deeds recorded for future generations, so they can be a constant source of encouragement and inspiration."
Adamsdown Primary School receives outstanding Estyn report
Adamsdown Primary School has a thoughtful approach to meeting individual pupil's needs which improves their life chances and raises their aspiration, says Estyn.
During a recent inspection the Education Inspectorate for Wales, also found the school to create a warm and welcoming environment where its diverse school community thrive.
Inspectors noted that pupils are ambitious, respectful and very happy. They settle into school quickly, love learning and benefit greatly from the school's highly effective approach to language acquisition.
With a significant proportion of pupils coming from countries affected by conflict, the school's School of Sanctuary status is firmly at the heart of its work. Teachers, leaders, support staff and governors are committed to providing the support each pupil needs to access the curriculum, beginning with well-being and emotional support.
In its report, inspectors said that the strong partnership with parents and nurturing ethos of the school ensure that all pupils feel safe and develop a strong sense of belonging. The school's effective partnerships with its community also contribute to its success in supporting pupils' well-being and providing an engaging curriculum.
Reflecting on the report, Headteacher Emma Thomas said: "I am delighted with the report which describes high standards across all areas of our school provision. The whole school community is dedicated to providing our pupils with the education and experiences they so deserve, and it is wonderful that the report reflects this.
"Our unique approaches have been developed over a number of years, combined with our bespoke curriculum offer we are proud that our provision improves our pupil's life chances."
Cardiff Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "Adamsdown Primary School is carrying out some outstanding work and it is pleasing to see that this is recognised by Estyn.
"The inclusive nature of the school and the approach to how the needs of individuals are met was particularly interesting. I also found the work on human rights and relationships which provides pupils with an understanding of equity, justice and empathy is excellent.
"I would like to congratulate the headteacher, staff and Governors and thank them for their hard work and dedication."
New Green Flags for green spaces in Cardiff
A ‘Green Flag' will fly above two more green spaces managed by Cardiff Council this year, after Parc Tredelerch in Rumney, and Western Cemetery in Ely, were both awarded the coveted international mark of quality for the first time.
Sixteen other Cardiff Council managed sites retained their full Green Flag awards, meaning the city now has eighteen Green Flag standard parks and green spaces. The Keep Wales Tidy awards are judged independently against a range of strict criteria, including biodiversity, community involvement, cleanliness and environmental management.
The Cardiff Council managed sites to be awarded a full Green Flag this year are:
Bute Park, Cardiff Bay Barrage, Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve, Cathays Cemetery, Flat Holm Island, Forest Farm, Grange Gardens, Hailey Park, Heath Park, Hendre Lake, Parc Cefn Onn, Parc Tredelerch, Roath Park, Rumney Hill Gardens, Thornhill Cemetery, Victoria Park, Waterloo Gardens and Western Cemetery.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "Green Flags are the benchmark for parks and green spaces so to have eighteen of our sites holding full Green Flag awards is fantastic".
"It's testament to the dedicated teams working for Cardiff to maintain and improve its green spaces, with the support of Friends Groups and volunteers, that independent judges, and ‘mystery shoppers' have found them to reach the highest standards, and rank amongst the best in the UK."
"I'd also like to congratulate all the community groups across Cardiff, whose commitment to their local green spaces has seen 22 Green Flag Community Awards made in the city this year."
Cabinet Member with responsibility for Bereavement Services, Cllr Dan De'Ath, added: "Cemeteries provide important spaces for calm reflection, and I'm delighted that the quality of the grounds at Western Cemetery in Ely have been recognised for the first time this year, alongside Cathays and Thornhill Cemeteries.
"The awards are well-earned recognition for all the hard work, care and attention that goes into keeping these open spaces at their best for residents and visitors."