1.Guardian front page asks if anyone can write a song; Tŷ Newydd course shows they can
Jude Rogers is one of the country’s most brilliant music writers. But could she write a song? That’s what her piece flashed on the Guardian front page asks today. We set up a stay at Literature Wales’ Tŷ Newydd writing centre to help the The Sound of Being Human author discover her songwriting mojo at a Songwriting and Poetry course last month. Set on the Llyn Peninsula in the home of former Prime Minister David Lloyd George, the National Writing Centre for Wales offers a range of residential and online courses for aspiring writers and we’ve been working with Literature Wales to help promote this year’s programme. Read Jude’s incredible piece on the Guardian home page here where you can listen to her debut song Georgina, concocted on the course (or better still, pick up a copy of the paper and read her double page spread in all its technicolour wonder). If you’ve been inspired, take a look at Tŷ Newydd’s website and find a writing course to help write your next chapter.
2. Welcoming the UN to Wales
Almost a decade ago Wales pioneered the Well-being of Future Generations Act and in doing so, became the first country in the world to enshrine the rights of those net yet born in legislation. Now, the United Nations is calling on the rest of the world to be equally forward-thinking. The Summit of the Future held in New York in September is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the world to come together to agree how to tackle some of our biggest crises. The Summit will see a ‘Declaration for Future Generations’ which Member States will be signing as a commitment to tackling issues sustainably. This week, Future Generations Cymru hosted the Future Generations Forum for the UN; an event which saw keynote addresses, workshops and a UN discussion where the Wales Protocol for Future Generations was agreed as a framework to guide Member States in their work leading up to the Declaration. Our role on the day was highlighting the UN’s biggest ever meeting in Wales in the media, and producing a video on Wales’ future generations approach, to be taken on a whistlestop tour of the globe ahead of September’s Summit.
3. Pioneers across Wales shortlisted at Wales’ only cancer awards
Celebrating and spotlighting brilliant people and brave ideas: that’s why the Moondance Cancer Awards exist. Having received over 110 nominations, this week saw the announcement of the 55 pioneering organisations, individuals, and teams from across Wales that have been shortlisted for the upcoming awards, covering categories such as early detection and diagnosis, patient experience and cancer treatment. We spread the news across Wales and have so far achieved coverage in Wales 24/7, Yahoo! News, Powys County Times and more.
4. Investment Fund for Wales hits its stride
It’s been a busy week for the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Wales (IFW). First we announced the second debt finance deal to be completed by the fund – a £100,000 investment facilitated by fund managers, FW Capital, into Swansea based renewable energy provider, Economy Energy Group, which has so far landed coverage in Wales Business Insider, Business News Wales and Swansea Bay News. And then later in the week the new May issue of Wales Business Insider was published, featuring an equity funding report packed full of IFW content, including comments from Bethan Bannister, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, and news of recent equity deals completed by the IFW.
5. Considering carbon offsetting with Coleg Sir Gâr
Carbon offsetting can seem like a buzzword in 2024 for many companies planning their move towards net zero status. But how can businesses ensure their carbon offsetting schemes are legitimate? How do they avoid greenwashing? How can they ensure a robust sustainability strategy? These are just some of the questions that Jemma Parsons, Head of the Green Skills Academy at Coleg Sir Gâr, answered recently, forming part of the college’s work to support organisations in their journey to achieve net zero status. You can read the full feature in the latest edition of Wales Business Insider magazine (April/May 2024).
