·       20 Green Flags for Cardiff Council green spaces

·       Cardiff Commitment named finalist in the 2024 UK Social Mobility Awards

·       Summer with a ‘DIFF'erence event programme for Cardiff's Young People

·       Cardiff Council to adopt national Corporate Parenting Charter for care-experienced children and young people

Twenty parks and green spaces managed by Cardiff Council have been awarded prestigious Green Flags including for the first time, Cathays Park in Cardiff's historic civic centre and the newly refurbished Maltings Park in Splott.

Recently upgraded as part of a £3 million programme of investment into Cardiff's parks, Maltings Park now features a natural play area, skate park and multi-use games area, alongside new trees and meadow planting. Historic images of Splott, an area of the city with some of the highest levels of deprivation and lowest levels of green space per person, have also been incorporated into the design of the park.

At the historic heart of the city, Cathays Park which includes Alexandra Gardens, Gorsedd Gardens, and the new Parc Mackenzie- named in honour of Wales's first female professor Millicent Mackenzie - also achieved the coveted international mark of quality for the first time.

The awards, which recognise parks and green spaces in 20 countries across the world, are run in Wales by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy and judged independently against a range of strict criteria, including: biodiversity, community involvement, cleanliness and environmental management.

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Cardiff Commitment has been named a finalist for Public Sector Organisation of the Year at the eighth annual UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs).

The awards recognise and celebrate forward-thinking organisations that are actively creating positive social change for their employees and in their communities, by embedding social mobility initiatives into their core business strategy.

The Cardiff Commitment is a citywide alliance of employers, educational institutions, and community partners dedicated to leveraging Cardiff's economic, cultural, and social resources to benefit children and young people.

The initiative has been recognised for the work undertaken to secure opportunities that raise ambitions and develop essential skills which through collaboration, helps pupils fulfil their potential and contribute to the city's economic growth.

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After hundreds of young people enjoyed six weeks of activities, events and experiences throughout the city last year, the Cardiff Youth Service are once again organising ‘Summer with a DIFF'erence', a programme aimed at delivering activities for young people aged 11-25, across the holiday period.

The events programme will run from mid-July until late August and offer inclusive, fun-filled experiences for all abilities including outdoor activities, day trips, youth exchanges, community events, a football tournament, circus workshops and a thrilling Aqua Park and International White Water Centre takeover.

Regular youth clubs will also be taking place across the city offering activities including cooking, arts and crafts, gaming, and sport, all in safe spaces for young people to connect with each other, make new friends and try new things.

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Cardiff Council will strengthen its commitment to care-experienced children and young people by adopting the newly developed National Corporate Parenting Charter.

The Charter, co-created with care-experienced young individuals at a national summit supported by the Welsh Government and leading children's advocacy services, lays out shared principles and promises that all public bodies should adhere to when providing services to children and young people.

Shared Principles: focusing on equality, eradicating stigma, fostering togetherness, providing support, promoting ambition, nurturing well-being, ensuring good health, and securing stable homes.

Commitment Promises: to ensure respect, involvement, clear communication, compassion, goal support, and access to advocacy for all care-experienced children and young people.

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