Here is your Friday update, covering:
- Cardiff publishes new strategy to tackle inequality city-wide
- New ‘Academi for Young Musicians' launched
- Adult Learning Cardiff - a great way to boost your job prospects
- RSPCA Gold awards for Cardiff Dogs Home
Cardiff publishes new strategy to tackle inequality city-wide
In a bid to tackle inequality across Cardiff, the Council has published a new document outlining an ambitious vision for equality for the next four years.
The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for 2024-2028 will strive to ensure that the city provides great opportunities for everyone regardless of their background, where those suffering from disadvantage are supported, and where every citizen is valued and feels valued.
It sets out the measures that the authority will take forward to ensure its aim of a 'Stronger, Fairer, Greener' Cardiff is achieved and includes five key objectives:
A Fairer Cardiff - We will reduce inequality and support everyone in Cardiff to fulfil their potential
An Accessible Cardiff - We will work to ensure everyone can take part in all Cardiff has to offer, regardless of background or circumstance
An Inclusive Cardiff - We will make Cardiff a city where differences are understood and celebrated, and where all communities feel like they belong
A Council that reflects its communities - We will make Cardiff Council a more inclusive organisation which reflects the diversity of the people we serve, and where employees are confident to be themselves and are empowered to progress, and
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of the organisation - We will ensure that Cardiff Council's core processes support equality, diversity and inclusion
In June 2024 a comprehensive public consultation was launched to seek the views of Cardiff residents on the draft Strategic Equality Plan for 2024-28, helping to ensure a fairer city for all. The Council's Cabinet will now be recommended to note the outcome of the consultation and to agree the inclusion of several amendments to the strategy which have been suggested by Cardiff citizens.
Feedback on a range of topics will now be addressed in the strategy including, but not limited to; Access to services, Supporting Carers, the importance of ongoing work to support Community Cohesion, Community Safety, Social Value & Community Wellbeing, Education, Employment and Progression
Cllr Julie Sangani, Cardiff's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities, said: "Cardiff already has a proud history of promoting equality and diversity, we are the most ethnically diverse local authority in Wales and one of the oldest ethnically diverse communities in Britain, with over 80 languages used.
"We also rank as the top city in Europe for immigrants and families with young children and we are a top 10 city for members of the LGBTQ+ community to live.
"Like all UK cities, however, we face instances of long-standing and deep-rooted inequality. Some residents face barriers to living full and active lives and more needs to be done to ensure that no-one experiences discrimination of any kind because of who they are."
New ‘Academi for Young Musicians' launched
A new weekend ‘Academi for Young Musicians' has been launched by the music service for Cardiff & the Vale, CF Music Education.
Developed by, and run in partnership with, tutors with experience of delivering youth music activities at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the new weekly sessions form part of Cardiff Council's Music Strategy, which aims to put music at the heart of the city's development and provide a pipeline of new talent for the sector.
Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "Access to high quality music education from an early age can provide so many opportunities for Cardiff's young people, fostering a lifelong love of music and helping them grow and develop. Beyond that, it's also vital if we are to continue producing the talented musicians that underpin Cardiff's dynamic music economy, which is worth around £100 million annually to the city."
The Music Service, which will celebrate its 50th year next year, already engages with approximately 12,000 local children annually, and is the lead organisation in the region for the delivery of the National Plan for Music Education. It runs 20 high quality ensembles - all offered free of charge to children from low-income families - including bands, orchestras, choirs, percussion and guitar groups made up of 600 pupils aged between 4 and 22 years old, and offers tuition in schools, as well as large scale music experiences and workshops.
The new ‘academi' sessions, added to this programme will run on Saturdays, at Stanwell School in Penarth and Whitchurch High School in Cardiff, but with scope to expand to other venues across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Adult Learning Cardiff - a great way to boost your job prospects!
Enrolment for Adult Learning Cardiff courses for the new term starting in September is now open.
Residents interested in learning a new skill or boosting their job prospects can check out the latest opportunities here www.adultlearningcardiff.co.uk
Part of the Council's Into Work Advice Service, Adult Learning Cardiff provides bespoke support and training to help local residents upskill and get into work. Offering a range of courses in hubs and council buildings right across the city, the team supports people of all ages to gain real skills that businesses have identified as vital in potential employees.
The service has helped hundreds of people find work by guiding them into fulfilling careers such as teaching assistants as well as providing other vocational training and courses designed to improve numeracy, literacy and digital skills.
Courses, which are free to eligible learners including unemployed people and those receiving certain benefits, run throughout the year with the latest programme beginning on September 16.
As well as courses that prepare learners for roles in cleaning, care work, hospitality, retail and education, the service also delivers a wide range of Learning for Life courses for those looking to take up a new hobby or improve a skill they pursue for leisure.
Learners can book online herewww.adultlearningcardiff.co.uk
Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: "Adult Learning Cardiff delivers flexible learning opportunities that can equip learners with the skills and knowledge they need on their way towards employment in a role they want.
"It's a great time to get back to learning so I encourage anyone who's been thinking about it to stop thinking and start doing - the team is ready and waiting to offer advice and encouragement for your learning journey."
RSPCA Gold awards for Cardiff Dogs Home
Cardiff Dogs Home has received two Gold-level RSPCA PawPrints awards.
The awards, from the UK's largest animal welfare charity, have been granted in recognition of the "outstanding" standard of kennelling and stray dog services provided at Cardiff Dogs Home.
Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Dogs Home, Cllr Norma Mackie, said: "The team at Cardiff Dogs Home have now received at least one RSPCA PawPrints Award every year since 2008 and receiving two Gold awards in one year, is a fantastic testament to their work.
"The dogs that find themselves at Cardiff Dogs Home all deserve the best care possible and these awards show that, with the help of our fantastic volunteers and support from our partner charity The Rescue Hotel, that is exactly what they get."