The Virtual Dementia Tour was invented 20 years ago and can give people with a healthy brain an experience of what dementia might be like. It gives people an opportunity to walk in the world of people living with dementia – and then change the environment and their practice to potentially allow people with dementia to stay at home longer and improve their care.
By walking in the shoes of a person with dementia, we can start to understand the issues that they experience every day.
You will experience being confused, isolated, lost, intimidated, vulnerable and much more and therefore understand what you need to change to improve quality of care.
June 8 and 22- Enterprise Hub, Queen’s Square, Wrexham, LL11 1AT
June 20 – Glyn Wylfa, Castle Road, Chirk, LL14 5BS
June 10 – Marchwiel Community Centre, Piercy Avenue, Marchwiel, LL13 0RH
June 9 – Phoenix Homecare and Support, Wrexham, LL11 4YL
June 21 – Wrexham Football Ground, 1864 Suite, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 2AH
If you would like to learn more about what it is like to live with dementia, then book your place on the Virtual Dementia Tour Bus when it returns to Wrexham in June 2022.
There will be three sessions available per day and booking is essential:
This article is part of a series of blog articles being published this week in support of World Autism Acceptance Week 2022.
The Safe Places Scheme provides reassurance to people who may feel vulnerable when they go out, helping them to live a more independent lifestyle. Knowing there are safe places in their community offering help if needed, helps people feel safer and more confident going out in their community.
How does the scheme work?
Local shops, businesses and organisation sign up to become a “Safe Place”. A sticker is placed in the window or on a door of a Safe Place, identifying that help is available there.
If you are someone who may feel vulnerable while out, you can sign up to the scheme and get your own Safe Places card to carry with you. The card will show contact details for someone you trust so that a member of staff in a Safe Place can call them if you need help.
As well as calling the trusted contact person on your Safe Places card, members of staff at a Safe Place can:
Find you somewhere safe to wait and reassure you until the situation is resolved
Call the police or an ambulance if it is an emergency
Alwyn Jones, Head of Service for Social Care said, “Safe Places is a National Scheme that Wrexham signed up to a few years ago. We are very lucky to have several Safe Places in Wrexham and we are extremely proud that we were the first county in Wales to adopt the scheme. Hopefully it will continue to grow from strength to strength, giving vital support to those that need it in our community.”
Apply for a Safe Places card
If you wish to use the Safe Places scheme you can fill out the application form. You’ll need to provide some details about yourself, along with the names and phone numbers of up to three trusted contacts (this is someone who can be called when you need help – it could be a family member, carer or friend).
Once you have sent your completed application, our Wrexham Safe Places team will explain how to use the scheme. You will receive a list of Safe Places in Wrexham and the Safe Places card with your chosen contacts numbers on, to carry when you are out and about.
Small changes can make a huge difference and can help to reduce the anxiety for individuals with autism and help them to have a positive experience when visiting businesses and services.
The Autism Aware Certification scheme is aimed at everyone who wishes to gain a greater awareness and understanding of autism. After completing the training, you will receive a personalised certificate to download.
The training demonstrates how making small changes can reduce the anxiety for individuals who live with autism and help them feel more included in their community. The autism training, which has been developed by the Integrated Autism Service, supports the new Autism Code of Practice.
Lots of businesses and organisations across Wrexham have already undertaken the training. All of Wrexham’s libraries are Autism Aware and staff have completed the training. Here are some thoughts and examples of other Wrexham businesses who have completed the training:
“We did the autism awareness training in our barbershop. Having a granddaughter who is autistic I wanted to help make haircuts a little easier for autistic children and their parents, even if it is just having a little more understanding and patience.” Blades Gents Barbers
“Here at BNI North Wales, we support the inclusion of neurodiversity. We have completed the Autism Awareness Training and feel more equipped to support individuals in business who identify as being autistic. We now have a wider understanding of the unique needs of those on the spectrum and are prepared to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for all. BNI is a global, professional business network offering a variety of services to scale local businesses. We understand that everyone is different and therefore has different support needs. We have a multitude of training, mentoring, and support for small businesses within the North Wales area which include how to generate business by word of mouth. We believe that we are a safe and supportive environment for those within a business who need the support, development, and connected environment needed to thrive, not just survive.” BNI – Executive Director – Jennifer Hardman
All staff at Yellow & Blue are currently completing the Autism Awareness Training and will soon become an Autism Aware organisation. Y&B are also loaning the Autism Awareness VR Headsets from WCBC and these will be readily available along with sensory items in a specially created sensory area within the Hub (once completed).
These are just a few reflections and examples of how local businesses are making changes to help people who live with autism feel more comfortable in their local community.
As part of World Autism Acceptance Week we will be posting a series of blog posts about the work in our communities to make Wrexham Autism Aware, as well as highlighting the information and support that is available to people and families living with autism.
Your Space is a registered charity that works closely with Wrexham Council to provide support for young adults and children on the autism spectrum along with their families.
Your Space has also created some great apprenticeship opportunities for people on the autism spectrum
“I started working at Your Space in September 2021, as an Admin Apprentice doing a years Apprenticeship.
I am on the spectrum myself, so I like the fact that I am helping children and young people that are on the spectrum or have similar issues through my role at Your Space. I have found Your Space an understanding, accepting place to work.
Overall I very much enjoy my role at Your Space, and the people I work with are understanding, helpful and nice people. It’s a nice environment to work in and I feel I have done well in my role, and have gained confidence since starting my role at Your Space.”
Jasmine, Apprentice at Your Space.
Your Space Arts Festival
Join us this Saturday, 2nd April, from 12pm – 4 pm for a fun event to celebrate the Your Space community on World Autism Day. The event, held at Yellow and Blue, will be hosted by Your Space.
The event will open with the launch of Your Space’s new album ‘Songs out of the ordinary’ and will also include music, art and photography displays and interactive workshops.
This is an inclusive event for all of the family. Ear protectors will be available to loan.
If you would like more information about the services and advice that is available across Wales please visit
From the 28th March – 2nd April is Autism Acceptance Week, and this year marks the 60th anniversary.
During the week, we will be highlighting some of the fantastic projects that Wrexham Council supports as well as the training that is available in Wrexham to help create a society that works for autistic people.
Wrexham Council works closely with partners and organisations across the county borough to raise awareness of the challenges that people with autism face on a daily basis as well as continually looking at ways to improve services for people with autism and their families.
There is also a free, online autism awareness training course, which is available to local businesses, and individuals. It’s hoped that more people will complete the training and create more facilities that are accessible to people living with autism and their families in Wrexham.
Alwyn Jones, Chief Officer for Social Care at Wrexham County Borough Council said, “We’ve been working alongside members of the local business community, parents, carers and people on the autistic spectrum to develop autism awareness communities all over the county, allowing people living with autism and their families to access and enjoy services and facilities that we all take for granted.
“It’s great that I can say all of our libraries have completed training and are Autism Aware and we have recently made the training mandatory for all council staff. It makes a huge difference to people living with autism and their families, and we are looking forward to more local businesses and organisations coming forward to complete the training and become Autism Aware.”
Autism awareness training
The Autism Aware Certification scheme is aimed at everyone who wishes to gain a greater awareness and understanding of autism. After completing the training, you will receive a personalised certificate to download.
Your Space is a registered charity that works closely with Wrexham Council to provide support for young adults and children on the autism spectrum along with their families. You can find out more about YourSpace via their website (add link)
Your Space Arts Festival
Join us this Saturday, 2nd April, from 12pm – 4 pm for a fun event to celebrate the Your Space community on World Autism Day. The event, held at Yellow and Blue, will be hosted by Your Space.
The event will open with the launch of Your Space’s new album ‘Songs out of the ordinary’ and will also include music, art and photography displays and interactive workshops.
This is an inclusive event for all of the family. Ear protectors will be available to loan.
If you would like more information about the services and advice that is available across Wales please visit:
The structure has undergone a major transformation over the past 18 months, turning it from a tired 1960s monolith into a modern, vibrant building – fit for providing modern public services.
Earlier today (Tuesday, March 15) the offices were opened by the Mayor of Wrexham Councillor Ronnie Prince, as well as the Leader of Wrexham Council, Councillor Mark Pritchard, and the Chief Executive, Ian Bancroft.
The opening coincides with a gradual return to the office for many council staff following long periods working from home during the pandemic.
And later this year, Wrexham’s new Community Wellbeing Hub – combining health services, social care and voluntary sector support, in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, will also open at the site.
The work has been undertaken by local firm Reed Construction, with the help of Welsh Government funding.
Reduced carbon footprint
The Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Ronnie Prince, says:
“This has been an incredible piece of development that’s given new life to a building that desperately needed modernisation.
“It’s now a key building in the town centre, and will provide a base for social care staff, as well as a new location for the council’s Education and Early Intervention Department.”
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, says:
“The transformation has been incredible, and we now have a flexible workspace suitable for delivering modern services for local people.
“Around 625 staff will use Crown Buildings as a base, increasing the footfall in the town centre. The offices will include desks, breakout areas, video-conferencing and other facilities providing employees with the tools and environment they need.
“We’ve also improved the building’s energy performance, which has been a key driver from the outset.”
Ian Bancroft, Chief Executive, says:
“We’ve worked closely with the contractor to improve the thermal efficiency of the building, and we’ve also used the roof space to house solar panels that will further reduce its carbon footprint.
“We now have a building that’s not only good for employees and the communities we serve, but also better for the environment.
“It’s everything that a modern, flexible workspace should be.”
We’re very excited to introduce the acting headteacher of our newest Welsh medium primary school, which will open in September and provide education for 3 to 11 year olds. The school, Ysgol Llan-y-pwll, is located in the Borras area of the town centre.
Rhiannon James, was born in Wrexham and still lives in the area with her husband and three children and is eager to start her new role. She said, “I am very excited about being appointed the first headteacher of Ysgol Llan-y-pwll. The school will open its doors to nursery and reception pupils this September as part of the Welsh Government’s strategy to have a million Welsh speakers by 2050.
“I can’t wait to welcome our first pupils, and to guide and support them on their exhilarating journey of learning through the variety of dynamic experiences the school will provide. It will be an incredible opportunity and I look forward to establishing a happy and welcoming school with a thriving community ethos. As I will be the first headteacher of the school, I will be able to set out a clear vision of what I hope to achieve.
“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead and develop the type of school which I think every child should have access to; one where every child is important, nurtured and successful.”
There will be many decisions to make and numerous things to put in place before officially opening Ysgol Llan-y-pwll in September.
Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for People – Education said, “We are excited about the opening of the new Welsh medium primary school. Parents should consider sending their children to Llan-y-pwll as it will be a happy, welcoming, and caring environment where everyone succeeds. The appointment of Rhiannon as acting Headteacher puts the school in very capable hands and I am positive it will thrive with her vision to develop a happy nurturing environment in which the pupils can thrive.”
Karen Evans, Chief Officer for Education at Wrexham Council, said: “This is the start of a very exciting journey for Ysgol Llan-y-pwll, and the establishment of a new primary school in Wrexham will support our work to provide high levels of education for all children in the county borough.”
If your child celebrates their 3rd or 4th birthday before September 1, 2022, you can make your application online at school admissions or e-mail admissions@wrexham.gov.uk for further assistance.
You may have noticed that some building works have started on Crown Buildings on Chester Street in Wrexham town centre.
This work is part of an exciting new project to transform the ground floor of the old building into Wrexham’s new ‘Community Health and Wellbeing facility.’
With the help of funding from the Welsh Government, the space will provide integrated health, social care, third sector and community services. The aim is to make it easier for people, families and carers of all ages to access information, advice and support.
Wrexham’s Community Health and Wellbeing facility is a partner project between Wrexham Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and AVOW. It will build on, rather than duplicate services that are already available in Wrexham town centre and other local areas.
The space will act as the central location for a range of accessible facilities, allowing people and families with wide ranging support needs to become more involved with community services as well as having easy access to preventative information and advice.
The facility aims to form links with other agencies and support routes in order to provide a range of information, advice and support for people, families and carers.
The upper floors of the building will become a base for social care staff helping to deliver children’s and adult’s services, as well as becoming the new location for our Education and Early Intervention Department.
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Assets said, “This new Community Health and Wellbeing facility will make it easier for people, families and carers to access information, advice and support. The design proposals are important as they will significantly improve the building’s energy performance, with the focus being on a ‘fabric first’ approach to improve the overall thermal efficiency of the building envelope. There will also be photovoltaic panels on the roof area to reduce carbon emissions and further improve the building’s carbon footprint.
“It’s an exciting project which will have a positive impact on the community and transform the old building into a space which will make a difference to the lives of people living and working in Wrexham.”
Cllr Andrew Atkinson, Lead Member for Children’s Services said, “This is a really exciting project which will benefit everyone in Wrexham. It will provide better access to professionals for the public and a more flexible and agile approach to provision. Children and families will also benefit from better access to improved facilities in a town centre location, promoting equality by ensuring that people with specific needs can access the same town centre facilities as all other families.”
Cllr Joan Lowe, Lead Member for Adult Social Care said, “Wrexham’s Community Health and Wellbeing facility will be a great addition to Wrexham Town Centre, it will provide support for people who need advice or information about a wide range of topics. It will make it easier for people to access information and advice in one place as well as providing a site where partner organisations can work seamlessly together to give the best possible care and information to anyone who needs it.”
Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education said, “This is a great opportunity for Wrexham with Children Services and Education co-located in one building which will provide improved access for children and families to the support services we provide. As a child of the sixties I am pleased Crown Buildings will be given a new lease of life as the building is an understated example of 1960’s construction”.
Cllr John Pritchard, Lead Member for People, Youth Service and Anti-Poverty said, “This is a fantastic collaboration project and the services delivered will reach out to everyone, of all ages, in Wrexham. The building will also make these services much more accessible. It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to see the services improving people’s lives in the area.”
Karen Evans – Assistant Director Community Services, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – says the development of the Community Health and Wellbeing facility in Wrexham will provide new opportunities for people to access health and wellbeing information, advice and services in a holistic way.
“We are delighted to be working collaboratively to design the environment and service offer within the facility and look forward to providing health and wellbeing services here in the near future.”
John Gallanders- Chief Officer AVOW – Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham, is very pleased that the Third Sector have been given an opportunity to be involved with the development of the Community Health and Wellbeing facility.
“The involvement of the Third Sector will ensure that there is a holistic support linked very closely with the Local Authority and Health Board for people needing a broad range of help. With so many things affecting people’s lives having a single point of contact will avoid revolving doors. AVOW will over the next few months be contacting Third Sector organisations who could be part of the service provision.”
The design proposals will significantly improve the building’s energy performance, which has been a key driver for the scheme from the outset. Working closely with the contractor and their designers the focus has been on a “fabric first” approach to improve the overall thermal efficiency of the building envelope to reduce carbon emissions.
The roof area will be fully utilised to house a substantial array of photovoltaic panels, which will further improve the building’s carbon footprint through on-site renewable energy production.
Once complete the building will be brought up to an estimated ‘B’ rating which would demonstrate a significant reduction in carbon emissions and performance comparable with many new build projects.
The works will take up to 18 months to complete with Wrexham Community Health and Wellbeing facility hoping to be open to the public in early 2022.
As we all know, there have been devastating cuts to local government funding since austerity started in 2007/08, and during that time you have given us your thoughts on our proposals for savings.
This year we are asking you just one question – what do you think we should do? While there is still some uncertainty around next year’s budget, with Welsh Government providing more information towards the end of December, we know that the need to make difficult decisions will continue and that these will involve making more cuts.
From November 30 to December 13, you will be able to let us know what you think in four different ways:
Complete the survey – either online or on paper. If you would like a paper copy of the survey please email us with your contact details to request this at telluswhatyouthink@wrexham.gov.uk or telephone 01978 292000.
Attend the virtual public zoom session on Monday, December 7 2020, 5pm-6pm (register your interest at modernwaysofworking@wrexham.gov.uk by Thursday, December 3. Please let us know your name, and whether you are representing any group or organisation).
You could also write to us at ‘Tell Us What You Think’, 3rd Floor Annex. The Guildhall, Wrexham LL11 1AY.
Or email us at telluswhatyouthink@wrexham.gov.uk (please mark your correspondence ‘Difficult Decisions’)
Here are a few points to think of when putting your ideas together:
• We legally have to provide some services such as social care for adults and children, and schools/education • There are costs that we have to pay, such as for waste disposal or housing benefits • Efficiencies can be made to these areas, but the service must still be provided • Many of the cuts will come from other discretionary areas • We also need to consider ways to raise income and sources of income, such a Council Tax levels.
Other suggestions are, of course, welcome – the consultation will cover every item on the list of savings we have to make, but those are they areas where we have to focus.
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “In Wrexham, our medium term financial plan indicates a shortfall of approximately £18 million for the period 2021-24. This is in addition to the £11 million already saved over the last three years (including the current financial year). Over the period since the start of austerity the Council have made cuts and efficiency savings of over £64m. We are asking you to let us know how you think these savings can be made. No decisions have been made – we need to hear what you have to say before we can make them.”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships Public Protection and Community Safety, said “Once again, there are difficult decisions that have to be made and your suggestions will play an important part in how we plan to make the necessary cuts to our budget. Every Wrexham resident could be affected by any proposed changes so it’s vital that as many people as possible take part in this consultation.”
At Wrexham Council we pride ourselves on providing excellent quality, lifetime homes for our tenants. The work we do now, is like nothing we’ve done before. These properties are completely refurbished from top to bottom, including new kitchens and bathrooms, plastering, electrics, external works and more.
Previously, we were not in a financial position to offer new tenants a refurbished property and they were given it in whatever condition it was left in, with only work to make it safe being carried out before moving in. We have moved far from that now, exceeding the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. We are now signing new tenants up to ‘show home’ like properties which they can be proud of, and we can be proud of.
Steve, Joiner – Wrexham Council said “What can I say, the properties we used to give back were rough. We were just a repair service back in the day and would just be asked to patch up jobs to make do. I would be embarrassed to go in and do the jobs while the tenant was there, they always looked so disappointed that we were just ‘making do’, and they would feel like it was a mammoth task for them to decorate it to a reasonable standard. Back then, they would get a decorating allowance that barely covered the cost of paint for downstairs, when really the whole house needed more than just a lick of paint.
Now though – it’s a complete transformation. The whole of the property is renewed from top to bottom and we’re now using our skills to their full potential, not just repairs. We’re actually providing people with homes they love and don’t have to do anything with. I personally feel proud when I see people’s reactions to their new properties, it makes me feel like the work we do is all worthwhile. The job satisfaction is immense. Now we’re multi-skilled operatives too, it means we’re so much more efficient and effective and we can offer a much more professional service.”
Claire, Rhos Estate Office – Wrexham Council said “I find it so much more satisfying now when I sign new tenants up, I am proud to hand over the keys. When I did signs ups previously, I would find myself trying to convince tenants to look past the décor, and once they had decorated it, it would feel more homely.”
Miss Roberts, Wrexham Council Tenant said – “My new house is absolutely beautiful, it’s been completed to such a high standard, both inside and out. I feel very lucky to have been given such a lovely home that we can make our own. My local estate office has been absolutely amazing and have supported me every step of the way.”
The Superior end product that we offer now, through much needed investment into our housing stock, means that we are also reducing the cost of our responsive repairs and thereby reducing the disruption to our tenants too. We have also had the opportunity to offer trade apprenticeships and jobs to local people, helping our local economy, supporting our communities and making them places to be proud of.
Cllr David Griffiths said – “It’s great to see that the hard work and investment is paying off; job satisfaction, happy tenants and thriving communities.”
