SWANSEA: Local football gets £750,000 boost for new facilities

This significant funding is poised to make playing football more attractive and accessible to a wider range of people, from existing players to new participants, according to Swansea Council.

The improvements are a joint effort, driven by Swansea Council in partnership with the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF).

The CFF, the charitable arm of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), is the sport’s national governing body.

Community clubs across Swansea are expected to benefit directly from these new, modern facilities, the council has indicated.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, has warmly welcomed the substantial funding.

He believes the investment will significantly boost football’s popularity across Swansea.

Cllr Stevens highlighted the anticipated positive impact on grassroots sport.

“The improvement work on playing field changing rooms at Trallwn Fields, Cwm Level and Ynystawe Park will encourage more people to get involved with grassroots sport,” he stated.

He further emphasised the goal of attracting a diverse group of users.

“Once built, the facilities will be attractive to existing players and many others – including women and girls, amongst whom we’re already seeing huge participation growth across the city – who perhaps don’t play right now,” Cllr Stevens added.

This investment in new facilities is part of a larger, planned £1 million council commitment to upgrading football infrastructure city-wide.

Aled Lewis, director at the CFF, has underscored the foundation’s dedication to inspiring communities through improved facilities.

“These much-needed investments across Swansea will be essential for the growth of the game,” Mr Lewis commented.

He praised the collaborative effort with Swansea Council, noting its importance.

“Through collaboration with Swansea Council, we’re ensuring grassroots players have safe, community-led environments for everyone to enjoy. We’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact they’re going to have once they’ve been completed,” he said.

The council’s new local football strategy, developed with the CFF and FAW, aims to enhance opportunities to play the sport in the coming years.

Key improvements are set to include high-quality, inclusive changing facilities, upgraded to modern standards, as outlined by the council.

These upgrades are specifically designed to ensure the facilities are attractive and accessible to a more diverse group of users.

The sports fields at Trallwn, Cwm Level and Ynystawe are already well-utilised by several clubs and the Swansea Senior and Junior Football Leagues.

Designs for the upgrades will now be created, following council plans.

The work will be subject to planning approval, which includes necessary studies like ecological surveys.

Local clubs have been actively involved in shaping the designs, a process the council has reported.

Once finalised and approved by funders and planners, the designs will be shared with all stakeholders.

Crucially, this grant will also free up council funds, Swansea Council has confirmed.

These freed-up funds can then be used to improve other football facilities around Swansea, including Cadle Mill, at Blaen-Y-Maes, and Bonymaen Park, according to the council.

SWANSEA: Digital skills boost for residents in Bonymaen, Clase and Portmead

Faith in Families, which supports children and families facing poverty and crisis, has secured £15,750 from BT to run the new programme.

The funding comes as part of a social value commitment linked to the Swansea Bay City Deal’s ongoing digital infrastructure project.

The money will directly benefit 30 residents in Bonymaen, Clase and Portmead through an eight-week course designed to build practical digital skills and open up pathways into volunteering and employment.

The hands-on training will help participants learn to confidently use laptops, email and online forms, and access essential services like healthcare and benefits.

Laptops will be purchased for participants to use during the programme, with internet support also provided to ensure no one is excluded.

Crucially, the laptops will remain within the community after the programme ends, creating a long-term local resource for families to use for homework, job searching and staying connected.

Natasha Cardone from Faith in Families said the funding would help build confidence in communities facing real barriers to getting online.

“This funding allows us to strengthen digital confidence within communities that face real barriers to access,” she said.

“By combining digital skills with confidence-building and communication, we can support families not only to get online, but to thrive.”

Swansea Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Andrea Williams, said the project was a powerful example of investment being directed into the heart of communities.

“By giving people in Bonymaen, Clase and Portmead the confidence, skills and tools to get online, we’re helping to remove long‑standing barriers and opening up new opportunities for learning, connection and support,” she said.

“What makes this initiative so special is that it doesn’t just provide equipment – it builds lasting digital confidence within trusted local spaces, ensuring that families can continue to benefit long after the programme ends.”

Swansea care worker who made 102-year-old’s cheeky wish come true honoured with national award

Teri Edwards, 37, from Bonymaen, was recognised at the Wales Care Awards after going above and beyond for residents at Hawthorn Court in Sketty and Ocean Living in Mumbles — including arranging the surprise visit that had her care home in stitches.

The devoted mum-of-two, who has spent two decades in social care, says she’ll do “whatever it takes” to make her elderly residents smile — from organising cheeky surprises to helping them tick off their bucket-list wishes.

The 37-year-old, who became a regular visitor to residential homes in her early teens when accompanying her home care worker mum to work, says the sky is the limit when it comes to entertaining and bringing joy to her residents.

The mum-of-two, who recently made the dreams of a 102-year-old female resident, Gwyneth Griffiths, come true when she organised a surprise visit from a ‘Butler in the Buff’, has now become the toast of the social care industry after scooping a coveted bronze award in the Wales Care Awards 2025.

The awards, sponsored by Meddyg Care and organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales, pay tribute to the frontline heroes of social care, with all finalists guaranteed to come away with either a gold, silver or bronze prize in recognition of their achievements. 

Put forward for the Leadership and Management in Small Group or Supported Living Award, sponsored by My Choice Healthcare, Teri collected her prize at a glittering awards ceremony held at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

Teri, who has worked her way up to the role of home manager in a 20-year social care career, said: “It took my breath away when I heard I’d made the final. I honestly didn’t expect it. My deputy manager has informed all the staff and they’ve all said it’s well deserved, which is lovely.

“Everything I do is for my residents. If they’re smiling, then I know my job is done. And as long as they’re happy, I’m happy.

“I just love this job, it’s so rewarding. Myself and my deputy often sit outside when our shift is finished and just watch the residents laughing and chatting in the lounges through the window. We spend more time with them than our own families because they need us and we get a great sense of fulfillment caring for them and doing everything we can for them.

“Going into a care home shouldn’t feel like life has ended. We support the residents to thrive and promote their independence rather than take it away from them. We’ll work with them to get to the goal they want to achieve. If they asked me to do 50 star jumps – and I’m not the fittest – I’d do it! There’s nothing more rewarding.”

Terri, who lives with her husband Adrian and has two sons aged 16 and four, grew up in Waun Wen, Swansea, and attended Bishop Vaughan Catholic School in Morriston.

Prior to her first job, she spent time caring for her grandmother who was bedridden to give her grandfather a break and occasionally accompanied her mum, who was also a care home manager, on her shift.

She started volunteering in care homes at the age of 15 and immediately felt her calling.  

“I used to go to work with my mum in Mumbles and would sit and chat to the residents and give them tea and biscuits,” she said.

One of her proudest achievements was introducing a wish tree with her colleagues to help make the residents’ dreams come true, which was an instant hit.

“We had a gentleman who was receiving end of life care who wanted to watch a Swans game at the Liberty Stadium so we made that happen,” she said.

“Then, we had a 102-year-old lady who wanted a stripper! We checked with her family and the regulations and booked a ‘Butler in the Buff’! She absolutely loved it and still talks about it every day. She also asks when he’s coming back!

“This should be the most enjoyable time in their lives and the next best thing to home. We need to give our best.

“I don’t do this to get recognition. If my grandparents went into a home – or even me later down the road – I wish that someone would treat me the way I treat my residents. A smile goes a long way.”

“I honestly don’t feel like I go to work.”

Teri’s colleagues say she has improved staff retention and morale within her team and plays an important role in enhancing the environment of the home, often painting and decorating.

Bethan Evans, Chief Executive Officer for My Choice Healthcare, who was among those putting her forward for the award, said: 

“I am delighted that Teri has reached the finals within the Wales Care Awards, and that her warmth, kindness and passion for supporting Older People is being recognised.

“She is a force of nature and truly is a very special lady. Her determination for always putting ‘her residents’ at the heart of everything that she does is an inspiration for all those around her. We consider ourselves very lucky that she chooses to work with us.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards once again shone a light on the “unsung heroes and heroines” who make a vital difference to the lives of vulnerable people across the nation.

He said: “For more than 30 years, Care Forum Wales has worked tirelessly to champion the social care sector.

“The Wales Care Awards underlines the importance of the sector – it’s the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“Our mission has always been to be the voice of social care in Wales to stand up for the workforce and ensure their dedication is properly recognised.”

A special moment in the evening when Mair Elis-Thomas, widow of the late Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, took to the stage to present one of the awards.

According to Mr Kreft it was a touching gesture that reflected Lord Elis Thomas’s long-standing support for the Wales Care Award and for social care more broadly.

“Dafydd was a passionate believer in the power of the arts to enrich lives and support wellbeing and mental health,” said Mr Kreft.

“He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives on – not only through his contribution to public life as a Presiding Officer, but also through the positive impact he had on so many communities.”

#Bonymaen #CareForumWales #HawthornCourt #Mumbles #MyChoiceHealthcare #OceanLiving #Sketty #WalesCareAwards

Faith in Families secures nearly £250k Welsh Government funding for Bonymaen Community Cwtch

Faith in Families Swansea has secured £248,975 from the Welsh Government’s Health and Social Care Integration and Rebalancing Capital Fund to develop the next phase of its Bonymaen Community Cwtch project.

The funding will support detailed design and business case work for an Integrated Health and Wellbeing Hub at the former St Margaret’s Church on Mansel Road. The disused building has been gifted to the charity by the Church in Wales, paving the way for a major redevelopment that would bring community, health and wellbeing services together under one roof.

“Hope back to the Eastside of Swansea”

Faith in Families Chief Executive, Cherrie Bija, said the project had grown out of stark realities facing local children.

“When we first started this project back in 2021, with the support of an incredible fundraising dinner at Morgans Hotel sponsored by Swansea.com, guests were appalled to learn that 18% of children in our city were living in poverty. That figure has now shamefully risen to 31%,” she said.

“Our projects are teaching children to be resilient, to find personal tools to live in adversity — and that’s appalling in itself. We want children to be children, not to worry about hunger, cold, or missing out. This project gives hope back to the Eastside of Swansea, showing that our city cares, that Swansea stands together, and that we will create a place where all children can live, grow, work, and play.”

A community‑led vision

The Bonymaen Community Cwtch is part of Faith in Families’ wider ambition to create a “one‑stop hub” for health, care and community services. The charity says the model will co‑locate partners from across sectors while giving residents a direct role in shaping services through community consultation and co‑design.

Cherrie Bija added:

“This is an incredible moment for us all thanks to a collaboration of partners — a huge step forward for Bonymaen, Faith in Families, and the communities we serve. This milestone is not just about a successful application; it’s about partnership, determination, and a shared belief in what we can achieve together.

“Child poverty is everyone’s business — government, charity, and community alike. No single sector or group can solve it alone. But together, we can and we will make a difference for our children.”

Next steps

The charity is now working with professionals including Luke Hurley of Hurley and Davies to formalise designs and develop the full business case. A series of community consultation events will be held in the coming months, inviting residents to help shape the future of the former St Margaret’s Church site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9Y9GW2UnIk

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#Bonymaen #BonymaenCommunityCwtch #CherrieBija #ChurchInWales #Eastside #FaithInFamilies #funding #IntegratedHealthAndWellbeingHub #ManselRoad #StMargaretSChurch #Swansea #WelshGovernment

Driver has to pay £1,717 after bathroom waste is fly tipped near picnic site

The discovery of a large amount of fly tipped waste, which included bathroom furnishings, near a picnic site in Neath, led to a van driver appearing at Swansea Magistrates Court after concerned residents called in Neath Port Talbot Council’s Waste Enforcement Team.

At the court on Thursday May 29 2025, Richard Marc Holland, 47, of Jersey Road, Bonymaen, was fined £153 and ordered to pay £1,500 costs and a £61 victim surcharge after he pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

While the defendant was not seen to have deposited the waste, section 33(5) of this Act establishes that the person in control of a vehicle carrying controlled waste, is considered to be knowingly causing the waste to be deposited, even without direct instructions, if the waste is deposited from the vehicle.

This means that the person in control of the vehicle is held responsible for the waste’s illegal deposit, regardless of whether they personally gave the order for the waste to be deposited.

The waste was discovered on Tuesday October 18th 2022, near Mosshouse Reservoir, Fairyland Road, Tonna, Neath, when a number of people who knew the area as a fly tipping hotspot became suspicious after a tipper style van containing bathroom furnishings was seen close to the reservoir site.

They later discovered the waste illegally deposited near the picnic site which included a broken toilet, a sink and shower screens.  Photographs of the waste and the details of the vehicle were supplied by the witnesses to the Waste Enforcement team.

Investigation work by two of the council’s Waste Enforcement officers found the dumped waste had come from a home which had undergone a bathroom refurbishment and the vehicle’s owner was traced.

The owner said at the time of the offence the vehicle was being used by Richard Marc Holland who later attended an interview with Waste Enforcement officers at Neath Civic Centre.

At the interview, while accepting he was in control the van on the day of the offence, he denied depositing the waste claiming he had taken it to a skip. He told the officers “Someone must have placed the waste back in the vehicle from the skip and travelled to the location and deposited it”.

This led to the charge under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as above which the defendant pleaded guilty to in court.

Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “I’d like to thank the members of the public for their community spirited action in initially bringing this matter to our attention.

“Fly tipping is a crime against our environment and we will pursue a prosecution either in court or via a Fixed Penalty Notice. We take this nationwide issue extremely seriously and will continue to have a zero-tolerance approach.”

#Bonymaen #Crime #FairylandRoad #flytipping #MosshouseReservoir #Neath #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #Tonna

Electric offroad motorbike rider seriously injured after van crash

Police say the collision took place just after 11am on Sunday (1 June) on Ty-Draw Road at Bonymaen Cross.

The motorcycle rider was taken to hospital with serious injuries which were not life changing following the collision with a white Vauxhall Vivaro van.

Police say an investigation into the incident is underway and officers are trying to trace the motorcycle, which was taken from the scene before they arrived.

PC Ross McGrath from South Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: “ We want to thank those members of the public who assisted us at the scene and want to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision who hasn’t yet spoken to officers.

“Motorists who were in the area at the time are also urged to check for dashcam footage of the incident.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of the off-road motorcycle.”

#Bonymaen #electricMotorbike #offRoadBikes #offRoadBikes #RoadTrafficAccident #SouthWalesPolice

Swansea Community sports facilities to get £10m boost

Extra investment in the councillor-led Community Investment Fund will see it rise to almost £10m by 2027 for spending on neighbourhood projects that matter to local people.

Under proposals agreed by Cabinet, sports changing places at Cwm Level, Trallwn, Ynystawe, Tir Canol, Blaenymaes and Bonymaen are all set to benefit from funding totalling £3m.

As well as direct support from the council, the funding includes grant aid from a variety of sources and a potential £1m spread over two years from the Cymru Football Foundation.

In addition, the skate parks programme that’s already seen one open at Coed Bach and two more consultations earmarked for Gowerton and Ynystawe, will be boosted to at least £2.9m by 2027. The wheeled sports master plan includes proposals for a roll-out of facilities so that no-one is more than a couple of miles away from their nearest one.

On top of that, councillors will see the Community Investment fund increase by a further £1m so that ward members can invest in a wide range of local assets such as reinstalling woodland paths, extra play equipment and supporting community ventures, to name but a few.

The near-£10m of investment covers the period between 2024/25 and 2026/27.

Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said it was further evidence that the council is investing in projects that matter to communities right across the city.

He said: “Coming on top of targeted funding like £8m for play areas across our city, the Community Investment Fund is designed so that no neighbourhood feels left behind or overlooked when it comes to the little things that can make a big difference.

“Residents told us they wanted more play areas that are modern and accessible. So we have delivered more than 60 of them.

“They told us they wanted to never be far from good quality skate parks. So we are delivering a multi-layered network of facilities that create a stage for inspirational riding and make it easy for anyone to take up wheeled sports in their community.

“And they’ve said sports changing facilities need upgrading so they are fit for a modern environment and available to all. So now we are acting on that too.”

He added: “Councillors are uniquely well-placed to know what kind of small-scale projects and initiatives going on in their area deserve a boost from the council.

“By boosting councillors’ community budget schemes to almost £4m in the period between 2024/25 ad 2026/27 we’ll be able to make sure the money goes a long way, making a difference all across Swansea.”

Cllr Stewart said: “The pandemic demonstrated beyond doubt the importance of outdoor facilities to our communities, the wellbeing of young people and families and the value of decent facilities on their doorsteps.

“In the cost of living crisis, we’ve continued to see just how important outdoor facilities have been to groups, families and individuals. It’s resulting in the biggest investment in outdoor community play and sports facilities by the council in more than a generation.”

#BlaenYMaes #Bonymaen #CoedBachPark #CwmLevelRoad #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TirCanol #Trallwn #Ynystawe

Two men jailed after intimidating family with samurai sword in road rage rampage

South Wales Police say 29-year-old Stephen Harris from Uplands and 27-year-old Lathan Gray from Bonymaen were in a Citroen Xsara Picasso on Llangyfelach Road in Treboeth driven by Harris at around 6.20pm on Sunday 20 April. The vehicle was doing wheel spins and handbrake turns in the middle of a busy main road.

Following a near-collision, a member of public challenged the pair, who then proceeded to follow the challenger’s vehicle, with his partner and seven-year-old son inside, in a threatening and intimidating manner.

Once the victim stopped at the nearby Texaco garage, Harris then stopped his vehicle to block the exit. Grey then exited the vehicle and made further threatening advances towards the victim, including lifting his jumper to show the long handle of the blade tucked into his trousers.

The vehicle also had a false registration plate and was uninsured. Harris was already disqualified from driving until 2029.

Officers located the vehicle a short distance away from the incident, and a further kitchen knife was found within the vehicle when searched, as was a hammer.

Both were charged and remanded and pleaded guilty the following morning.

Lathan Gray has been sentenced to 48 weeks in prison. Stephen Harris has been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.

Detective Inspector Danielle Thorne from South Wales Police said: “Stephen Harris and Lathan Gray are two men who believe that the law does not apply to them.

“Their intimidating behaviour, particularly towards a family with a young child, was totally disgraceful.

“We hope that they both take their time in prison to think better of this kind of thuggish behaviour.”

#Bonymaen #dangerousDriving #featured #knifeCrime #LlangyfelachRoad #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea #Treboeth #Uplands

Bonymaen man jailed for assault, knife and drugs offences

39-year-old Benjamin Llewellyn, from Bonymaen, threw punches at his then-partner, who was sitting in a vehicle parked on the street, on December 17 2024. The incident was witnessed by a member of the public.

He was also found to be in possession of a flick knife during the incident.

In February this year, Llewellyn was spotted acting suspiciously in the street by officers. When apprehended soon after, officers found that he had attempted to hide a wallet containing large bags of powder and pills, as well as a quantity of cash, by throwing it over a nearby garden fence.

Llewellyn pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of a pointed article in a public place, possessing criminal property and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He was also found guilty of assault, having pleaded not guilty to this offence.

He has been sentenced to 51 months in prison.

Detective Sergeant Luke Tucker from South Wales Police said: “Benjamin Llewellyn’s offending is wide-ranging and has shown no signs of stopping.

“From physical violence to supplying drugs onto our streets, his criminal activity has one common effect – that it makes life a misery for everyone that comes into contact with him.

“He will now spend another lengthy spell in prison as a result.”

(Lead image: South Wales Police)

#assault #Bonymaen #drugs #knifeCrime #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea

Swansea specialist care home supports people ‘exceptionally well’ say inspectors

They said Bonymaen House is a homely and welcoming service that supports people’s needs well.

Staff were praised for their warm and sensitive approach and another highlight was the involvement of individuals and their families in planning their care.

Bonymaen House, which is run by Swansea Council with help from its partners including the local health board, has 24 short-stay beds to support people’s reablement needs.

The service is used as a stepping stone for people who are ready to be discharged from hospital but need some additional support before they can go home.

It also supports community step-up for people who need a period of assessment and support before they return home preventing unnecessary admissions to hospital or long term care.

Facilities like Bonymaen House not only ensure they are in the right place for the support they need, but also help health board efforts to free up beds in hospitals.

Louise Gibbard, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Care Services, said: “I’d like to congratulate all involved at Bonymaen House for such a positive report and thank them for doing such valuable work with such professionalism, dedication and compassion.

“Every week people are able to return to live independently in their own homes thanks to this service which literally changes lives for the good.”

Inspectors from the Care Inspectorate Wales visited earlier this year and have now published their findings.

The report states: “People are supported exceptionally well and in the way they prefer with personal plans and risk assessments that fully reflect their needs.

“The service actively promotes independence and encourages people and their families to be involved in their care.

“The service employs a skilled staff team who are appropriately trained to meet people’s needs.

“We saw staff contributing to the wellbeing of people through warm and sensitive interactions.

“There are plans in place to maintain the service and ensure there is ongoing refurbishment to the property.

“The grounds are well maintained and provide a pleasant and peaceful area for people to spend time and relax or exercise.

“There is good governance which drives improvements and ensures people’s needs are met.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#Bonymaen #BonymaenHouse #Care #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil