Like most children, Alex Chmieleski from Bridgend, Wales, cannot wait for Christmas. But there is something he wants even more than a visit from Santa: a life-saving organ transplant.

The garden at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland for children and their families.

Canolfan Iechyd Genomig Cymru (CIGC) in Coryton, North Cardiff officially opened its doors on 7th December, to serve as a cornerstone of Wales’ precision health ambition.

Social prescribing of things like exercise classes, gardening and arts groups is growing in Wales and helping to reduce the burden on GPs by connecting people with their community to better manage their health and wellbeing.

The consultation period runs for 10 weeks between Wednesday 6th December 2023 and Wednesday 14th February 2024. The closing date for the submission of comments is 23:59 on Wednesday 14th February 2024. The Council will also be holding a series of on-line and in person engagement sessions at which information on the Preferred Strategy and how to make comments will be available.

When:  Sunday, 17th December at 3pm; Where:  St John's Methodist Church, Breaksea Drive, Barry Island CF62 5TR; Tickets:  £8 which includes refreshments (pay on the door, cash or card); Contact:  Sheila 07932 523415

The programme is aimed particularly at community-facing organisations working to support older people to thrive in safe, healthy and well-connected homes and communities. Free of charge, it will be delivered principally via a series of webinars

We are keen to seek your views on proposals we are currently developing for the launch of a brand-new Section 16 Forum for social care services in the Vale of Glamorgan. We will use the Forum to provide support and encouragement to social enterprises, co-operatives, user led services and the third sector, so that they are able and willing to fulfil service delivery opportunities. Closing date for the consultation is 14th December

Public Health Wales welcomes the move by the UN climate summit to put a focus on health for the first time. Public Health Wales is working both inside and outside our organisation to improve sustainability and reduce the impact of climate change on the nation’s health.

The latest Time to Talk Public Health survey from Public Health Wales has shed light on gaps in understanding about HIV transmission and testing.

Public Health Wales in collaboration with Improvement Cymru and Learning Disability Wales has coproduced a new video and easy-read guide to support people with a learning disability to explain the process of being invited and having a vaccination.

A tool designed to increase understanding of the connected factors affecting a child’s educational achievement and a review of the mechanisms by which this affects health have been developed by Public Health Wales.

Funding to support partnerships from across the arts, health, social care and third sectors to provide high-quality creative projects that deliver health and wellbeing benefits for the people of Wales.

Please click the link to review the report. Cardiff and Vale Area Planning Board Annual Report | C3SC - Cardiff Third Sector Council

Thursday 14th December

Online via Teams 11.30am - 12.30pm

Sketch Magazine started life as a newsletter for members of the Llantwit Major Art and Craft Group. It had a particularly important role during the Pandemic helping to prevent social isolation by keeping  members connected through the lockdown.

A new digital animation designed to get children moving in their classrooms is proving a real hit with schools across Cardiff and the Vale.

As of 1st December 2023, all mental health settings across Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, including residential units, wards, buildings, grounds and vehicles, are now smoke-free.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board colleague John Webber has recently donated his 76th pint of blood.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have officially been listed as finalists for ‘Macro Employer of the Year’.