'I want to do all I can to help protect children from harm and this change in the law now sends a clear message'

MS for Wrexham

Sadly, bereavement is something that touches all our lives but there are charities and third sector organisations throughout Wales that provide vital support during these most difficult times. To help ensure they can continue to provide comfort to those grieving, the Welsh Government has announced 21 different charities will share £3m in grant funding over the next three years. Bereavement affects us all in different ways, so the funding covers a wide range of organisations who will utilise the money in their own way to provide emotional help, guidance and support. In addition to national charities, such as Marie Curie and Age Cymru, I am pleased local organisations are benefitting, such as Nightingale House and IPAC Options, and I am certain this news will be welcomed by constituents.

Wales has joined more than 60 nations across the world in outlawing the physical punishment of children. Any type of corporal punishment, including smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking, is now illegal under the new act. The landmark legislation removes the archaic 160-year-old legal defence and provides children the same protection from assault as adults. I firmly believe times and attitudes have changed. The idea of children being disciplined physically in schools is now, thankfully, seen as absurd and outdated and this latest legislation is extending that notion to apply to every aspect of life. As a parent, I want to do all I can to help protect children from harm and this change in the law now sends a clear message that physically punishing children is never acceptable.

Finally, I wish to congratulate the team at Calon FM who recently celebrated the official opening of their new studios. As a long-time supporter of the community radio station, I know it has been an extremely difficult couple of years. The future looked bleak but the team, which is mainly made up of volunteers, has done an incredible job rebuilding the station. I am so pleased they were able to secure Welsh Government funding to help construct their new state-of-the-art studios at the Wrexham Enterprise Hub. Having risen from the ashes, Calon FM will continue to be a proud and passionate voice for our town and although I was unfortunately unable to attend the relaunch, I look forward to visiting the new studios in the coming weeks.

If you are a constituent and there is an issue I could help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me via email: lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743.