Welsh Overcast Report : No. 2

A shocking report today by Save the Children has identified a large problem that we as a country face at the moment, and that the Welsh Assembly government will have to address soon. It has been acknowledged that in our country over one quarter or 50,000 children under the age of 5 live in poverty, with a household income of less than £9,800. the study has identified that children in this group are more likely to fall behind their peers in education, and will attain less in higher education.

This issue is then further amplified by the fact that 44% of those 50,000 children can't get access to the benefits of The Flying Start program introduced by the government. This is an initiative intended to provide young and struggling families gain access to free childcare, parental guidance and healthcare visits. It is the limitation of access to assistance like this which disadvantages the worse off families in our country, and causes a viscous cycle of abject poverty within families.

These families try hard to break from their financial restrictions but the amount of work that they are left to handle on their own makes them helpless to improve their own conditions, but such oppression can prevent children from gaining advantage in early life. It's unfortunate that our government can't provide initiatives to help all families in such circumstance unconditionally, yet they say that they are intent and devoted on solving child poverty by 2020. Whether this means solving the root issue or manipulating the presentation of statistics has yet to be seen, but the Welsh people want action.

In some brighter news to end this post a care home in Wrexham called Pendine Park has started an incredible event that benefits it's residents. Staff at the care home have organised for a pop up pub to be used in the care home on occasion to encourage social stimulation and recalling of old memories. The initiative sources two types of beer from a local micro brewery alongside cocktails and soft drinks, and lets residents have a good social drink and a reminisce. it's good for inducing community interaction and can help to fill the void of loneliness that plagues the elderly generation of today. Christine Lewis the activities co-ordinator says that it is proving very successful stating the following ;"One gentleman who rarely gets involved with activities came in and his face literally lit up. He even danced, enjoyed a pint of beer and was chatting and telling jokes."