By Lesley Griffiths

MS for Wrexham

I recently visited two new community hubs in the heart of Wrexham town centre. Yellow and Blue is located on Henblas Street and has been a beacon of support to people from all walks of life, particularly during the past 12 months.

Founded by the inspirational Pete Humphreys in memory of his late father, Yellow and Blue is a non-profit social enterprise that aims to support the Wrexham community.

The vibrant café and outdoor space is an ideal spot to enjoy a coffee and some food but there are also a wide range of activities and workshops taking place, from furniture restoration to fitness classes.

There are plans in the pipeline to help Yellow and Blue grow and develop further, such as creating an IT hub for visitors in an attempt to combat digital exclusion. and I will do all I can to support Pete and the team.

I also visited Hope Street Church. Anyone who has visited the town centre recently will have seen the spectacular renovation that has breathed new life back into the old Burtons building.

Set over three floors, the building includes a worship space, meeting rooms, a kitchen and a base for social and community projects. It was lovely to meet lead pastors, Andy and Rachel, and to hear about their longer term plans for the centre, such as opening a café to make the building more accessible to the general public.

Despite the disruption caused by coronavirus, the new church is starting to embed itself into the local community.

Their presence in the town centre is certainly a boost and I look forward to visiting again soon.

A new flexible programme focused on helping young people aged 16 – 18 to reach their full potential and take their first steps into the world of work has been launched by the Welsh Government.

The innovative Jobs Growth Wales+ programme will aim to create life changing opportunities for those who are not in education, employment, or training.

It will also become a fundamental element of the Welsh Labour Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, which is designed to ensure there will be no lost generation in Wales as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

I’m really pleased the Welsh Government is already taking steps to turn this key commitment into reality.

I hope Jobs Growth Wales+ will give young people the skills and confidence they need to overcome barriers and fulfil their potential.