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Support for 14,000 older jobless in Cardiff

PRIME Cymru, the charity established to assist people over fifty into work or business has launched a new service in Cardiff and South East Wales. With Welsh Government support, PRIME Cymru will be offering a personalised service to anyone looking to find work or who wants to improve their chances of employment by undertaking education or training opportunities, as well as those looking to use volunteering as a stepping stone to formal economic activity from the counties of Bridgend to Newport. There are currently nearly 14,000 people between the age of fifty and state pension age in Cardiff who are jobless.

PRIME Cymru will provide a bespoke individual service to anyone over 50 who is looking to become economically active. Every client will receive one-to-one support in creating and implementing their own personal development plan. Where appropriate, each participant will work with their own mentor who will guide and support them to fulfil their ambitions. PRIME Cymru will be working closely with other providers to ensure that clients can obtain the relevant education, training and volunteering opportunities that may be the stepping stones to success.

In recent years, PRIME Cymru has helped over 2,000 older people into employment and over 1,600 to start their own businesses. Anyone aged fifty or above is eligible for support.  

There are currently nearly a quarter of a million people in Wales between 50 and 64 who are jobless. PRIME Cymru will continue to operate its pan Wales volunteer mentoring programme to support any client who needs support. The organisation has recruited and trained over 300 volunteer mentors to work as ‘critical friends’ to help people achieve their aims.  

David Pugh, Chief Executive of PRIME Cymru, said “ We welcome the support of the Welsh Government which will allow us to extend and improve our services to older people in Cardiff, and we acknowledge the Welsh Government’s recognition that older workers have an enormous amount of skills and experience to bring to the workplace but quite often they do not have the formal qualifications required by employers. Six hundred thousand people over 50 in Wales do not have the skills to use the internet. We should not abandon them at this time, but provide the essential tailored support they need to enable them to return to meaningful employment.

“The latest unemployment figures expose the real difference in employment chances based upon age. The perception of young unemployed people becoming a forgotten generation appears to be more emotive than evidenced. More than a third of older jobseekers have been unemployed for over a year. Less than one in six younger jobseekers have been long term unemployed. Older unemployed people are becoming the lost generation.

“Our programme has been specifically designed with, for and by older jobseekers and entrepreneurs. Over ten years experience has resulted in  tailored support packages being developed and agreed with each individual client. We are looking forward to working with and supporting many more mature jobseekers and entrepreneurs in Cardiff.”

The programme will operate in Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, RCT, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend and Cardiff.

PRIME Cymru is a charity founded by HRH The Prince of Wales. Anyone who would like to become a mentor or would like some assistance finding employment or to become self-employed can contact PRIME Cymru free* on 0800 5874085 or at www.primecymru.co.uk

*mobile and other charges may apply

Alcohol Awareness Week is coming

Alcohol Awareness Week will take place between 19^th and 25^th November 2012. Organisations in Cardiff and Vale can get involved and receive a FREE campaign toolkit accompanied by resources to run their own alcohol campaign. The toolkit will provide information about this year’s theme, ideas of how to get involved and relevant resources.

If you would like a copy of the toolkit and resources, please fill in the information below and email back to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Friday 9^th November 2012.

The more organisations that get involved the better the likelihood of getting the ‘2 alcohol-free days a week’ message out there in Cardiff and Vale!

Name of person requesting toolkit:

Organisation:

Address:

Telephone number:

Return the form to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NEW - Fairwater Housing and Benefit Surgery

Would you or anyone you know like help with any of the following?

• Housing and Council Tax Benefit
• Council Tax
• Housing waiting list and advice
• Help with form filling
• Tenancy enquiries
• Rent account advice and balance information
• Neighbour nuisance

If so, a Housing and Benefit Enquiry Officer is available every Thursday from 9am to 12.45pm and 2pm to 4.45pm at Fairwater Library, Doyle Avenue, Fairwater, CARDIFF CF5 3HU

Private room available - please call (029) 2087 1392 to make an appointment.

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Consultation on Cardiff Local Development Plan (LDP) 2006 - 2026

The consultation on the Cardiff LDP Preferred Strategy together with the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report runs from 1^st November to 14^th December 2012.

The pre-deposit proposals documents outline the Authority’s vision, strategic options, preferred strategy, key policies - including broad locations for new housing, employment and other strategic requirements - and include an initial sustainability appraisal report. Other background information is also available.

A series of public events has been arranged for November. These events will give you a chance to view and comment on the pre-deposit documents. In addition all consultation documents will be on the Council’s LDP Website www.cardiff.gov.uk during the consultation period.

Your views will help inform the preparation of a more detailed plan called the Deposit Plan which is due to be considered by Council in September 2013.

You are welcome to come along and give your views at one of our public conferences at the following locations and times:

PUBLIC CONFERENCES

St David’s Hall - Monday 5th November, 12.30pm to 2pm

Plasmawr High School - Tuesday 6th November, 6.30pm to 8pm

Rumney High School -  Monday 12th November, 6.30 pm to 8pm

Llanishen Leisure Centre - Tuesday 13th November, 12.30 pm to 2pm

These events will start with a short presentation followed by an opportunity, in groups, to any questions/ feedback comments. To book your place at any of these sessions, please call 029 2087 3461 or email your details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Alternatively you can come along to one of our public drop-in exhibitions at the following locations and times:

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PUBLIC DROP-IN EXHIBITIONS

• Ponprennau Community Church Hall - Wed 7th November, 12pm - 7pm

• St Fagans Village Hall- Thursday 8th November, 12pm - 7pm 

• Lisvane Memorial Hall- Friday 9th November, 12pm - 7pm  

• Trowbridge Community Centre - Wednesday 14th November, 12pm - 7pm

• Radyr Library- Monday 19th November, 2pm - 6pm 

• Western Leisure Centre - Tuesday 20th November, 12pm - 7pm

• Llanrumney Library - Wednesday 21st November, 12pm - 7pm

• Old St Mellons Village Hall - Thursday 22nd November, 12pm - 5.30pm

• Whitchurch Community Centre - Friday 23rd November, 1pm - 7pm

• Grangetown Salvation Army Hall - Monday 26th November, 12pm - 7pm

• Howardian Centre - Tuesday 27th November, 12pm - 6pm  

• Chapter Arts Centre, Canton - Wednesday 28th November, 12pm - 7pm  

• Creigiau Church Hall - Thursday 29th November, 1pm - 6pm 

• Cathays Library - Friday 30th November, 2pm to 6pm 

All you need to do is visit the venue on the appropriate day and time as detailed above. Further information on the Preferred Strategy will be included in the next edition of Capital Times and will be on the Council’s website www.cardiff.gov.uk.

You can comment on the Pre-deposit documents in one of 2 ways (closes 14th December 2012):

Online by registering at  the Cardiff LDP Webpage and using the on-line response form, or by downloading a response form from the Cardiff LDP webpage and emailing it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively, forms will be available at the above events or can be obtained by telephoning 029 2087 3461. Forms should be returned to: LDP Team, Strategic Planning, Cardiff Council, County Hall (Room CY1), Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff CF10 4UW.

If you have any questions, please call Cardiff Council on 029 2087 3461. Alternatively, you are welcome to visit County Hall where there will also be an exhibition and staff available between 9am -1pm and 2 - 4:30pm every working day of the consultation period (1^st Nov to 14 Dec 2012).