Fostering. Their life in your hands

Swansea Council’s Adoption team is setting out to remind gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the city that they might be among the growing number of loving adoptive parents currently needed for local children who for a variety of reasons are unable to live with their birth families.

National LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Adoption and Fostering Week kicks off on Monday (March 4th) and Adopt Swansea, the Council’s in-house team of professional adoption social workers want to remind people that people from all backgrounds and walks of life can potentially be adoptive parents.

Diane Chancer is the Adopt Swansea Team Manager. She said: “The legislation changed back in 2005 to allow for the fact that it wasn’t just heterosexual people in couples who could provide loving and stable adoptive homes.

“That was almost eight years ago, but we still get calls from people in same sex relationships asking us if they are ‘allowed’ to adopt. The answer is Yes!”

 

“Adoption is a way of providing a nurturing, happy and loving home to a child who, for whatever circumstances cannot live with their birth families. It is a lifelong commitment which provides the child with a stable and secure environment in which to thrive in a positive family setting. AdoptSwansea work with children of all ages who require a safe and secure family environment.”

Swansea Council would be delighted to hear from any prospective adoptive parents who will get a warm and professional service from Adopt Swansea.

If you are interested in adopting a child or children you can phone Adopt Swansea and talk in confidence to a specialised social worker on 01792 522900, or email adopt.swansea@swansea.gov.uk .

Ospreys star urges children to observe Earth Hour

  

We've changed the name of our blog to SwanTV in line with our station and website. 

 If you have a story to include in this blog send to info@swantv.com.Include any photos, video and your contact details (name, address, mobile or number where we can contact you)

We'd like to hear about your events too. Give as much detail and be included here and on our website - soon to be launched.

 

THERE’S nothing Ashley Beck likes more than unwinding on a Saturday evening after a tough match by playing FIFA football online against Ospreys and Wales colleagues like Justin Tipuric.

But on Saturday March 23, the 22-year-old rugby star will be switching his PS3 off for 60 minutes from 8.30pm to take part in a worldwide event called Earth Hour.

It’s all part of the World Wildlife Fund’s annual campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of reducing energy consumption as part of the battle against climate change.

When in use, a games console like an X-Box or a PS3 uses about the same amount of power as three 60-watt light bulbs.

Welsh international Ashley said: "You’ve only got to switch on the news or pick up a newspaper to see the impact that climate change is having across the world. As a professional rugby player I’ve been lucky enough to tour some fantastic countries, including Australia where record high temperatures led to intense bushfires just a few months ago.

"Many people think extreme weather like this and the hurricane that hit New York City late last year is linked to climate change, so this is why it’s important we raise awareness of what we can all do to help.

"I’ll be switching off my PS3 for an hour from 8.30pm on March 23, and I’d urge encourage children across Swansea to do the same thing - whether it’s turning off their games consoles, laptops, computers or televisions."

Landmarks around the world like the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Harbour Bridge will be switching off their lights for an hour too. Public buildings in Swansea like the Civic Centre, Swansea Museum and the Guildhall will be doing the same.

Swansea schools across the city are being encouraged  to stage their own Earth Hours.

Cllr Sybil Crouch, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: "Joining in with Earth Hour really is as simple as flicking a switch, whether that’s your games console, your lights, your TV or your computer. We can all do our bit and pause to think about how we can do more.

"It’s important because we all need to do our bit to protect our wonderful planet for generations to come."

Swans Parade on Tuesday

SWANSEA will have its chance to welcome home their Swans heroes with an open-top bus victory parade on Tuesday.

Barely 48 hours after securing their first major trophy, thousands of fans are expected to turn out to welcome home their Wembley heroes.

The open-top bus parade will kick-off from outside the Dragon Hotel at 4.30pm and finish with a Civic Reception at the city's Guildhall later. Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr Dennis James, said that after such an amazing result on Sunday the people of Swansea would turn out in their thousands to welcome the victorious team home.

"This is a fantastic moment for the Swans and for Swansea as a whole," he said. "After their promotion to the Premier League, Sunday's events open a new chapter in a remarkable success story for our city's football team. I'm sure thousands of fans will want to line the route and be part of an event that will be remembered for years to come."

From its starting point in Kingsway the bus will make its way towards West Way. It will then move along St Helen's Road to Guildhall.Fans will be able to line the route to welcome Michael Laudrup and the team back to Swansea. There will be road closures along the route on a rolling basis so roads can be re-opened as soon as the procession has passed to minimise inconvenience to residents and traffic. Stewards will be on hand to marshall fans and ensure their safety during the procession. St John's Ambulance first aiders will also be in attendance.
Cllr David Phillips, Leader of Swansea Council, said: "This is an exciting achievement and we have pulled out all the stops to get the victory parade organised as quickly as possible and we're sure it's going to be a tremendous success.

"We hope everyone who comes along has a great time, but the safety of the participants and the public is paramount.  For this reason, we would ask all spectators to stay behind the safety barriers and follow the any instructions that they may get from the safety stewards."

Cllr Nick Bradley, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "I'd urge the people of Swansea and Swans fans from elsewhere in South Wales to line the parade route. The parade will give us a chance to thank Michael Laudrup and his fantastic team for their terrific achievements that keep on raising our city's profile even further across the world."

Korean support for Wembley-bound Swans

MILLIONS of South Koreans will be learning all about Swansea in the lead-up to the Capital One Cup final.

Reporters and cameramen from SBS ESPN, a 24-hour sports channel based in South Korea, have visited the city to do some filming.

Swansea Castle and the marina were among the locations they filmed. They also visited the Liberty Stadium where South Korean international midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng plies his trade for the high-flying Swans.

The programme will be aired in the build-up to the clash with Bradford City on Sunday (February 24). The final is the first piece of domestic silverware up for grabs this season, with a place in next season's Europa League the incentive for the winners.

Cllr David Phillips, Swansea Council Leader, said: “It’s not just the whole of Swansea that’ll be right behind Michael Laudrup and his team on Sunday - many thousands of ex-pats originally from Swansea and Swansea City fans from Africa to Asia will be tuning in and keeping their fingers crossed for the Swans too.

“You can’t underestimate the popularity of football in countries like South Korea. Swansea is one of the only Premier League clubs with a South Korean international in their squad, and that means the club and the city’s profile there has never been higher.”

Swansea Council is also showing its support for the Swans by putting a huge ‘Good Luck, Swans’ placard outside the Civic Centre.

Cllr Nick Bradley, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Our staff have been doing a terrific job in making the most of the club’s Premier League status by raising the profile of Swansea Bay as a place to visit.

“The good luck message outside the Civic Centre is among the ways we’re showing the team we’re right behind them as they prepare for their Wembley appearance. Hundreds of thousands of motorists, cycles and pedestrians will pass by the sign every day until the weekend.”

The broadcast in South Korea about Swansea comes in the wake of news a big poster has been put up at a major shopping mall in Seoul’s Gangnam district - the same area made famous by popstar PSY last year. His song, ‘Gangnam Style’, was the most-watched video on YouTube in 2012, amassing an enormous 983 million views. 

views.

Sin City Alloneword!

Living art hit Sin City again last Saturday and our crew were there to capture artists at work.

Dave Long, creator of AllOneWord brought his artists together at lunch-time and set up their blank canvas on the wall. Dave (third from left in the large photo below) is featured on our pilot show where he produced a monochrome of regeneration with buildings growing out of the Swan.

This is a regular event at Sin City and we'll be posting advance details so you can go and see for yourself next time.

Dave Long is available for commissions too. Why not get a quote to brighten your office up or give it a bit of individualism.Got a wall that looks ugly? Want to make a statement?

Contact us info@swantv.com and we'll pass your details on.

Help for young people facing domestic abuse

A NEW initiative aimed at supporting young people experiencing domestic abuse is taking shape in Swansea.

The RAY (Reduce Abuse for Youth) project has chosen Valentine's Day to launch a new set of  leaflets aimed at turning a spotlight on what young people can do to keep their friends and themselves safe if a relationship turns sour.

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are those most at risk of domestic abuse and the NSPCC has found that 75% girls and 14% boys have experienced emotional abuse in their own relationships.

The RAY Project is part of Info-Nation, Swansea Council's information, advice and support service for young people, and started in 2008.  It works with children and young people, aged eight to 25, across Swansea, in schools and young people's projects raising awareness about Domestic Abuse.

Mitch Theaker, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Opportunities for Children and Young People, said: "Swansea Council is committed to acting early to address issues that affect our children and young people.

"Sometimes young people who witness domestic abuse or are targets of it can feel there's no-one they can speak to confidentially about their situation. That sense of isolation can result in them waiting longer than they need to before seeking out support.

"The RAY Project, and the leaflets that have been produced, are part of a range of measures that we have introduced as part of the Council's prevention and early intervention work."

The leaflets were designed with help from students from Swansea Metropolitan University and are aimed at teenagers.

They raise awareness about domestic abuse, providing information, advice and direction for young people to get further support.

Hannah, aged 17, said "They're really good - informative and clear. Also, it's a nice design - not too childish but not too boring either"

The leaflets include information to help people identify whether they are experiencing domestic abuse, helping a friend, perpetrators of abuse, home life, conflict resolution and keeping safe in relationships where abuse may be happening.

They come as changes in the law mean that, from March 2013, the Home Office's official definition of domestic abuse will change to include 16 and 17-year-olds.

The project hopes to develop further leaflets based on domestic abuse within same sex relationships and a guide for young people around the law, how police deal with complaints and an explanation of what happens if the complaint goes to court.

Anyone needing more information or to order the leaflets contact: Vikki Williams, Domestic Abuse Worker (Children and Young People) on Tel: 01792 643540 or email: vikki.williams@swansea.gov.uk

 

If any of these issues affect you or anyone you know then these websites may be useful:

www.R-A-Y.org.uk

www.info-nation.org.uk

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-girls/teenage-relationship-abuse/

http://thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk/