BBC Children in Need recently announced this year’s schools fundraising campaign encouraging schools across the country to challenge themselves to fundraise for the charity. As an added incentive to get involved, the charity also launched a prize draw for schools to win a visit from BBC Gladiator star, Steel, plus another surprise Gladiator guest from in and around Cardiff. Last year, schools across the UK raised nearly £4m which helped to support 30,000 children and young people who are facing…

New figures from Statistics Wales show that homelessness in Wales has risen to its highest level since records began in 2015. More than 13,000 households were assessed as homeless last year by councils, an increase of 8% on the year before.    The latest numbers come less than a year after a White Paper was published outlining how the Welsh Government plans to end homelessness.   Andrew Connell, Policy Manager for The Salvation Army, said:     “This year marks 150…

The Algae Photobioreactor has been designed by Cardiff University students Hajira Irfan, 21, and Harry Parkinson, 20, with support from their professors and other students.   The duo teamed up to scoop a prize at the university’s Spring StartUp Awards earlier this year, which were part funded by charity EIBF.   Now, Integrated Engineering student Hajira and Physics student Harry will compete against nine other teams from across the UK in the EIBF Champion of Champions Competition.   Recognising the…

On Saturday 21st September, Tesco customers at Cardiff Countisbury Express were given the chance to take part in a lucky dip to find a specially created gold version of Tesco’s famous blue voting token.    Llanrumney United was one of three local charities that customers could vote for to receive the £5,000 Golden Grant as part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme.    Sarah Mace, Club Secretary at Llanrumney United, said: “This Golden Grant means the absolute world to us and…

A dozen award winners were recognised for their commitment to never stop learning and inspirational stories at the joyous ceremony held at The Coal Exchange, Cardiff.   Each Inspire! winner demonstrated how learning can offer second chances, help create new career opportunities, build confidence and help communities become vibrant and successful.   The winners included schoolteacher Inas Alali, who fled war-torn Syria with her two children following the death of her husband, to build a new life in her adopted…

Candlelight Halloween: Horror Movie Soundtracks Fever’s Candlelight concert series is set to light up Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff with special Halloween-themed shows. These haunted evenings will feature favorite movie soundtracks, including The Addams Family, Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, The Exorcist, Thriller, and many more. The unique musical program welcomes everyone from 8 years old and promises to be a fun and spooky night for all. Candlelight Concerts are a series of original music concerts created by Fever aimed at democratizing the access to classical music. This innovative format represents a unique…

Looking for a great day out  this October Half Term week? How about a trip on the amazing Vale of Rheidol Railway?  It is the perfect day out and a wonderful way to see the stunning Cambrian Mountains countryside from a vantage point you can only get to by train.  The Vale of Rheidol’s beautifully restored 1920s steam locomotives will take you through 12 miles of glorious Ceredigion scenery on one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the UK. Sit…

AGE 15-18? LOVE MUSIC? The Benedetti Foundation’s new free Youth Ambassador Programme for 15 – 18-year-olds across the UK continues in Spring 2025 with its second course. The programme is open to singers and instrumentalists and is aimed at anyone of this age currently in secondary-level education/home education who is passionate about music and sharing it with the world. It will offer an insight into what a career in music could look like. The Youth Ambassador Programme’s Spring 2025 course…

Sion Hughes (centre) and Calum Smith (left) with their mentor Graham Tinsley preparing to represent Wales in the Global Chefs Challenge.   Two talented Welsh chefs will be representing their home country and the UK when they take on the world’s best at the Global Chefs Challenge final in Singapore in October.   Wrexham-based Sion Hughes, 26, head chef at The Spa at Carden Park, near Chester, is teaming up again with Calum Smith, 23, pastry chef at Shrewsbury School,…

Several of Cardiff’s landmarks were lit up in purple on the 1st October 24, to mark the start of City Hospice’s annual Light up a Life appeal and recognise the specialist palliative and end of life care the charity has been providing to the people of Cardiff for 40 years. The iconic locations across the city that turned purple included Cardiff Castle, Mermaid Quay, and Roath Park. The illuminations highlighted City Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal which aims to…