Bethan Jenkins AC/AM South Wales West

Yesterday (30/7/08) Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins who represents the Port Talbot area met with members of the Port Talbot Tigers. The football team was set up in 2003 by those in the area who wished to encourage community integration, and to allow those from the ethnic minority communities in the area to socialise.

Bethan Jenkins AM with Port Talbot Tigers, Click for larger image

Bethan Jenkins Plaid AM said:

“I met with members of Port Talbot Tigers at the Afan Lido during their training session to discuss how to develop their work in the area. They have a successful male football team, but I am eager to help them establish youth football, and sporting opportunities for women. Considering that only 17% of people in Neath Port Talbot take the daily exercise that is recommended, this scheme is vital to the area.

“It was encouraging to see people in the team from all walks of life, and it is also an excellent example of work in practise of ethnic minority communities making a positive contribution to the community at large.”

Bethan Jenkins Plaid AM added:

“Port Talbot Tigers are now trying to set up an umbrella organisation so that they can expand their work in the community to other areas – especially in the field of culture and the arts. I will be seeking a meeting with the new Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones AM to discuss starting a cultural festival in the Port Talbot area, much like the Mela Festival in Swansea so as to encourage the area to celebrate its cultural diversity.”

Diwedd / Ends

For further information contact Bethan Jenkins on 07725 144100

Regional Assembly Member Bethan Jenkins pledged to support the work of Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre, the Wales-wide charity which supports children with Cerebral Palsy, when she met with them at the National Assembly for Wales on 9th July.

Bobath’s Chair of Trustees, Gerwyn Thomas, Bethan Jenkins AM and Centre Director Jenny Carroll

Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales is a charity providing specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech & language therapy for children with cerebral palsy. This supplements services available in the community. They treat children from all over Wales on the recommendation of their consulting paediatrician.

Disabled young people and their families from all over Wales were at the Assembly to spotlight the current inequitable funding arrangements for Bobath therapy services. Bobath activity in Wales is funded in part by contributions from Local Health Boards (LHBs), with the majority of funds being raised by Bobath’s fundraising team.

Speaking after meeting families who access Bobath, Bethan Jenkins AM said:

“I was pleased to be able to meet with families and the local team from Bobath when they visited the Assembly. They explained that there is currently no equity of funding from Local Health Boards. I was surprised to learn that although there are 44 families in my region who are registered to receive Bobath services, about 18 are on a waiting list because of insufficient funding.

“Following my meeting with Bobath, I am now going to write to the Local Health Boards to find out more about current funding levels. I am committed to helping disabled children in South West Wales to get access to the best therapy possible.”

Speaking during the event, Jenny Carroll, Director of Bobath in Wales, said,

“Disabled young people and their families came from across Wales to the Assembly to meet their elected representatives, and we’re glad Bethan Jenkins AM took time to meet with us. There are approximately 1800 children and young people in Wales with cerebral palsy and I’m pleased to work with her to ensure a level playing field across Wales for all of them.”

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CONTACT: for Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre, Cathy Rogers on 02920 522600