Deputy council leader to run first 10k for Parkinson’s UK

Cllr Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, will join thousands of runners at the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k on Sunday 14 September. The 52‑year‑old has already raised £2,400 towards her £3,000 target.

Her diagnosis came around three years ago after she began experiencing pain in her left shoulder and a tremor in her right hand. She was referred to Dr Ffion Thomas, a neurologist and Parkinson’s specialist at the Gorseinon Parkinson’s clinic, who confirmed the condition.

“When I was diagnosed, it was odd because relief replaced frustration,” said Cllr Williams. “I knew all along because my mum also had Parkinson’s, so the diagnosis meant I could get the right treatment. The prescribed medication has made an encouraging difference — the tremor has calmed, and my emotional well‑being is better.”

As part of her treatment plan, Cllr Williams was advised to exercise more. She now runs every other day, weightlifts and does high‑intensity interval training.

“It’s been a game‑changer,” she said. “It hasn’t just improved my fitness — it’s also improved my mood and overall resilience.”

The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k, organised by Swansea Council since 1981, attracts around 5,500 participants each year across its main race, junior 1k and 3k events, wheelchair race and mascot race. The scenic route takes runners along Swansea’s waterfront.

Cllr Williams said she’s looking forward to the atmosphere on race day:

“As well as the fundraising, this is also about visibility and contributing to Parkinson’s UK in their mission to find a cure. The council’s events team does a superb job in organising the event every year. It benefits from an electric atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to experiencing the buzz of taking part.”

She also plans to run a half‑marathon next summer to continue her fundraising journey.

More information about the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is available at www.swanseabay10k.com. Donations to Cllr Williams’ fundraising can be made here.

#AdmiralSwanseaBay10k #CllrAndreaLewis #CllrAndreaWilliams #ParkinsonSUKCymru #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

New reusable cup scheme launches in Swansea city centre to cut single‑use waste

The 2GoCup initiative, run jointly by Swansea Council’s Swansea Project Zero team and Swansea Business Improvement District (BID), allows customers to pay a small deposit for a durable, reusable cup. The cup can be returned to any participating business for a refund or swapped for a fresh one.

The scheme is designed to reduce the thousands of disposable coffee cups thrown away in the city centre each week, helping Swansea meet its sustainability targets.

Nine businesses have already signed up, including Socialdice / Pinatas, Little Man Coffee at Founders, The Storyteller, First Call Coffee, The Cwtch, The Anchor, Café Ark, Hello Asia and Kardomah, with another seven to be announced soon. Local employers Swansea.com and Peter Lynn and Partners have also purchased cups for staff.

Cllr Andrea Williams, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation at Swansea Council, said:

“The 2GoCup scheme is an exciting and practical way to help us on our journey to becoming a net zero city by 2050. Every small change adds up, so by reducing single‑use waste, we’re protecting our environment, keeping the city cleaner, and supporting our local businesses. We’re proud to help fund this initiative and look forward to seeing more businesses join in.”

Andrew Douglas, Swansea BID Manager, said:

“Swansea is a city that looks to the future, and our businesses are proud to be leading the way on sustainability. The 2GoCup model makes it simple for customers to choose greener options without any added hassle, and the positive early response has been fantastic to see. We’re excited to build on this momentum in the months ahead, expanding the scheme and encouraging people to explore new coffee shops across the city — boosting trade for our BID businesses while supporting a more sustainable Swansea.”

Kieran Ivett, owner of Wind Street’s Socialdice and Pinatas, added:

“I’m extremely passionate about this scheme. It’s already delivered fantastic results in Ireland, and I’m confident it will not only inspire visitors to make more sustainable choices but also give businesses the chance to connect with new customers. The idea is straightforward, and I believe people coming into the city will embrace it; all while playing their part in protecting the environment.”

Launched in Ireland in 2018, 2GoCup has expanded across the UK and Ireland. The cups are made from durable, BPA‑free materials, designed for multiple uses, and are fully recyclable at the end of their life.

#2GoCup #BusinessImprovementDistrict #CaféArk #cafe #CllrAndreaLewis #CllrAndreaWilliams #coffee #coffeeShop #FirstCallCoffee #FoundersCo #HelloAsia #Kardomah #LittleManCoffee #ProjectZero #Recycling #reusableCup #Socialdice #Swansea #SwanseaBID #SwanseaCouncil #TheAnchor #TheCwtch #TheStoryteller #zeroWaste

Minister visits council’s latest ‘More Homes’ development

Swansea Council say they are in the process of creating 13 new homes in the community of Manselton. The mix of one-bedroom flats and three-bedroom houses are part of the Council’s award winning ‘More Homes’ programme.

Andrea Lewis, the Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation welcomed Ms Bryant to the city to showcase the latest energy saving homes, which have been created on council land in the city, following demolition of an older council building that was no longer in use.

Also included on the tour were cabinet representatives from neighbouring councils, including Pembrokeshire, Neath & Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire.

Once completed, the development will see a total of 13 new homes, comprising of 8 one-bedroom flats and 5 three-bedroom houses, all featuring energy efficient technology, including solar panels, battery storage and ground source heating, all designed to keep homes warmer and energy bills to a minimum.

The latest phase of work is part of the Council’s wider More Homes programme which has already created more than 280 additional council homes the city.

Cllr Lewis said she was extremely proud to be able to showcase the latest housing developments in the city. She said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase what Swansea is doing in terms of creating much needed new housing in the city.

“Welsh Government has been very supportive in terms of assisting with funding to introduce modern technology to the homes we are building and ensuring tenants can benefit from very low energy bills.

“Brondeg House was previously identified as surplus to requirements. Part of our strategy has been to look at former council-owned sites across the city where we can develop new homes and add to our current housing stock.

“Importantly, this latest scheme includes a number of one-bedroom properties, which are very much in demand in Swansea.

“This is part of a significant investment by the Council and we have committed to spending £250 million during the next five years.

“I’m confident this new development will follow the example made by previous More Homes schemes we have completed in recent years – providing modern, safe and warm homes for families or individuals.”

#CllrAndreaLewis #councilHouses #JayneBryantMS #Manselton #newHomes #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Support service for rough sleepers in Swansea receives national award

The Wallich, a Swansea Council-funded housing service, has received Housing First accreditation – a nationally recognised award presented to services across the country for the hard work and dedication in tackling homelessness.

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary, Jayne Bryant, joined Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation Andrea Lewis, to present the special award to the Wallich during a recent visit to the Swansea based centre.

The Council has praised the service for the hard work and dedication in the Wallich’s efforts to work with people that have become entrenched in homelessness, helping them to turn their lives around.

Cllr Andrea Lewis, said: “We are extremely proud of everyone involved in the Wallich project,

“They are at the forefront of helping people who are really struggling in their life and work really hard to make a difference to individuals and families, working alongside the Council to end homelessness in the city.

“The Housing First model is a nationally recognised approach to tackling homelessness issues and accreditation to this, illustrates the hard work and effort put in by everyone involved at the Wallich.”

Anna Hooper of Wallich stated: “We’re over the moon to receive the accreditation, and the recognition of all the hard work the team put into the service. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of all our partners here in Swansea. We’re very proud of our Housing First service.”

The Housing First model in Wales was developed, based on international research around engaging and working with people who have become entrenched into long term rough sleeping.

Cllr Lewis added: “The reasons why people choose to rough sleep may be incredibly complex and may include adverse childhood experiences, trauma and mental wellbeing issues and which can lead to multiple support needs.” 

Housing First is a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness that is focused on moving people into a settled home, while providing person centred, multi-agency, support for as long as it is needed. The model is successful for people with complex support needs with a history of homelessness, where traditional models of support have not been successful.

The service in Swansea was commissioned 2019 and has had many significant successes working with individuals who have experienced long term and repeat homelessness over a number of years when the existing service offer seemed not to work for them. 

The service is part of a wide range of homeless prevention and support services commissioned via the Council’s allocation of Housing Support Grant from Welsh Government to deliver services alongside statutory services which aim to make homelessness rare brief and unrepeated.

Accreditation of all Housing First Services in Wales is undertaken by Cymorth Cymru.

#CllrAndreaLewis #homelessness #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TheWallich