' Important that you find ways to manage your worries'

MS for Delyn

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week – an opportunity to come together to focus on improving our mental health. The week aims to tackle stigma and help people to understand and prioritise theirs and others' mental health. Last Friday I visited KIM Inspire in Holywell, a community mental health support charity, and I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with staff, volunteers and those who use the community services on offer at the Hub – the charity offers support, information and guidance on mental health as well as a host of community activities, linking up with other community groups. You can find out more about KIM Inspire at www.kim-inspire.org.uk or by calling 01352 872189.

On the subject of looking after your mental health, I know many Flintshire students will be looking to their exams this summer and this can be a time of great stress and anxiety for young minds. For many students, this month is the start of their GCSE and A-level exams and I want to wish everyone taking part in these assessments the best of luck. Exams can be a challenging time and the pressure to do well can feel overwhelming, especially if you're feeling pressure from school or family. It's perfectly normal to feel worried about exams, but it's important that you find ways to manage your worries. If you’re a student about to start exams or a parent or guardian concerned about the exams, you might find these tips useful from Place2Be – the children’s mental health charity – go to www.place2be.org.uk/exams for help and advice.

This week in the Senedd I attended a celebration of biodiversity where organisations from across Wales came to our Welsh Parliament to discuss with Senedd Members and visitors the importance of nature and what we can do to maximise the benefits of ecofriendly initiatives. I spoke with the North Wales Wildlife Trust about conservation and the variety of hedgerow techniques that create habitats for various species and I was pleased to see that Flintshire featured in their videos, with Stuart Taylor’s Argoed Farm, just outside Mold, being used as an example of good practice.

Recently I also met with AbilityNet, in partnership with BT Group, an organisation which provides free digital skills training for over-65s. The scheme aims to help those who need a bit of assistance with their emails, booking a GP appointment online or ordering a weekly shop and the organisation runs sessions to boost skills with mobile phones, laptops, computers and tablets. There are more than 350 volunteers helping to deliver this programme, which also provides guidance on how to stay safe from potential scams. If you are interested in this training, call AbilityNet on 0800 048 7642.

I was disappointed and dismayed this week to learn that the Flint branch of TSB is set to close – as this is Flint’s last remaining bank it leaves the community with limited access to banking services, especially for those who don’t use online banking and local businesses who need face-to-face services regularly. Flint Town Council is asking TSB to reconsider the closure and has set up a petition, which you can sign at www.change.org/p/prevent-the-closure-of-tsb-the-last-remaining-bank-in-flint, and I am hoping to meet with TSB to discuss this decision – I will update residents on any news in due course. I have also been in ongoing dialogue about the possibility for Flint to become home to a new banking hub.

As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.