#cllralysonanthony — Public Fediverse posts

Free childcare scheme to expand across Swansea says council

The scheme provides up to 12.5 hours of funded childcare per week during term time for two‑ and three‑year‑olds. Places are available through school‑based nurseries, private providers, Welsh‑medium cylchs and registered childminders.

What Flying Start actually offers

Flying Start is essentially a package of early‑years support. For parents, the most immediate benefit is the free childcare hours, which can help reduce costs while giving toddlers structured play and learning before school. Alongside childcare, families are offered extra contact with health visitors, advice on parenting, and help with children’s speech and language development. The idea is to combine practical childcare with wider support for families during the crucial early years.

Council welcomes completion of rollout

Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Alyson Anthony, said the funding was intended to “give young children the best possible start in life” and urged parents to take advantage of the offer.

Council leader Rob Stewart said the rollout meant “all parents and carers can now apply for Flying Start childcare,” regardless of where they live in Swansea. He noted the scheme is available in both Welsh and English settings and thanked Welsh Government for funding the initiative, which he said would “make a real difference to young children and their families.”

How to apply

Applications can be made online via Swansea Council’s eligibility tool. Parents and carers can also contact the Family Information Service on 01792 517222 or by emailing [email protected] for further guidance.

#childcare #childminder #cllrAlysonAnthony #cllrRobStewart #cylch #earlyYears #familyInformationService #flyingStart #healthVisitor #swansea #swanseaCouncil #toddler

Campaign launched in Swansea to highlight signs of domestic abuse

Timed to coincide with White Ribbon Day (25 November), the initiative is being led by Swansea Council in partnership with South Wales Police, Safer Swansea, survivors, licensees, and members of the Business Improvement District.

According to the council, the campaign aims to raise awareness of “red flags” in unhealthy relationships and promote access to local support services. Posters and stickers — designed with input from survivors — are being placed in toilets across licensed premises in the city centre.

Guildhall to be lit up in orange

Council officials say an information table will be hosted at Morriston Hospital on White Ribbon Day, offering advice and resources to those affected by domestic abuse. The Guildhall will also be illuminated in orange that evening to mark the campaign.

Cllr Alyson Anthony, Cabinet Member for Well-being, said she was “very grateful to all the licensees, businesses and partners supporting this campaign,” adding: “It’s about providing practical advice on the red flags to be aware of — and making sure people know that confidential support is there if needed.”

Council Leader Rob Stewart described the white ribbon as “a symbol of commitment to ending violence and promoting gender equality.” He said this year’s theme — We Speak Up — encourages men and boys to challenge sexism and harmful behaviours.

Support services available locally

The following organisations offer confidential support for anyone affected by domestic abuse:

#bawso #businessImprovementDistrict #cllrAlysonAnthony #cllrRobStewart #domesticViolence #saferSwansea #southWalesPolice #swansea #swanseaBid #swanseaBusinessImprovementDistrict #swanseaCouncil #whiteRibbonDay #womensAid

Reports of anti‑social behaviour fall again in Swansea city centre

Partnership approach credited with success

Figures released by Swansea Council and South Wales Police show a 12.1% reduction in reported anti‑social behaviour during the 2025 school holidays. It follows a 38% fall recorded in 2024.

The improvement has been linked to joint work between the council, police and more than 60 partner organisations, who ran a programme of activities for young people at the pop‑up Collaboration Station in St David’s Square.

Over the summer, 98 events, workshops and activities were staged, including an intergenerational festival that drew more than 900 people for a day of music and performances.

Police highlight Operation Daylily

City Centre Inspector Andrew Hedley said the policing operation, known as Operation Daylily, had built on last year’s success.

“We have been able to build on the success of last year to successfully reduce anti‑social behaviour even further,” he said.

“The already established strong partnership working has again been integral to the success of this operation. The addition of a pop‑up base further added to this success in providing a safe and cohesive space for all to use and importantly, signpost relevant people to.”

Inspector Hedley added that while the reduction was positive, more work was needed to make the city centre “a better place to live, work and visit which is free from those intent on causing crime and anti‑social behaviour.”

Council praises young people’s role

Cllr Alyson Anthony, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, said young people had played a key part in the summer programme.

“People can sometimes be too quick to criticise young people, but they brought real energy and some great ideas to the sessions and activities,” she said.

She added that the Collaboration Station work was in addition to “hundreds of free and low‑cost activities for children, young people and families funded by the council across all areas of Swansea.”

Council leader thanks partners

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said:

“I’d like to thank the police for their enthusiasm in working with us and indeed all our other partners who played an important role this summer.

I think we can all be pleased that there has again been a reported reduction in ASB over the school period. This shows these partnerships really do deliver for all our residents.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Police dispersal order to target Dyfatty antisocial behaviour
South Wales Police introduced a Section 35 dispersal order around Griffith John Street in Swansea after rising reports of antisocial behaviour.

Taskforce aims to clamp down on Aberavon Beach antisocial behaviour
A new multi‑agency taskforce has been launched to tackle antisocial behaviour and improve safety along Aberavon seafront.

Llanelli town centre to see summer crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour
Police and council partners announced extra patrols and targeted operations in Llanelli town centre during the busy summer months.

Swansea BID and police partnership secures prosecution of prolific graffiti vandal
A joint effort between Swansea BID and South Wales Police led to the successful prosecution of a graffiti offender responsible for widespread tagging.

#activities #antiSocialBehaviour #antisocialBehaviour #CllrAlysonAnthony #CllrRobStewart #CollaborationStation #Festival #OperationDaylily #performances #SouthWalesPolice #StDavidSSquare #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #workshops

Help for residents at risk of missing out this Christmas

Swansea Council say there is also support to feed pupils during the Christmas and half-term holiday, funding to Swansea Spaces providing welcoming places for people to gather and socialise and free and subsidised activities for young and older people over the winter period. 

The council added that other initiatives include free buses for all on 19 dates leading up to Christmas and the New Year supporting people to shop and local businesses.

There are also grants to food banks and other food providers through this period of high demand and a promise that there will always be a bed in Swansea for anyone at risk of sleeping rough should they want one.

Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said: “We know that the Christmas and winter periods puts big pressures on families and individuals who are already struggling, so we are doing all we can locally to help and support our residents with our Here For You This Winter campaign.

“The shopping vouchers are going to families and individuals who are most in need of support so that they are able to get the essentials that they need during the holidays and not go without on Christmas Day.

“On top of this and with the support of our colleagues in Welsh Government we making funding available for warm and welcoming spaces for people who are feeling lonely or isolated so they can get together.  We will also be providing support to our local food banks and other emergency food providers as well as funding to feed young people in the Christmas and half-term holidays.

“The free bus initiative is again proving popular with families and our Together at Christmas event held in partnership with JR Events and Catering at the Brangwyn Hall was well attended providing a free Christmas dinner, entertainment and outreach services to those who are vulnerable.”

Cabinet Member for Well-being Alyson Anthony added: “These vouchers will make a big difference to those that need it most and for some will be the difference between having food on the table on Christmas day or possibly a gift for their children or not.

“I’m proud that as a council we doing all that we can to support out residents this winter.”

To find out about the support available in Swansea visit: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/costoflivinghelp

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#Christmas #CllrAlysonAnthony #CllrRobStewart #FoodBank #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaSpaces

Help for residents at risk of missing out this Christmas

Swansea Council say there is also support to feed pupils during the Christmas and half-term holiday, funding to Swansea Spaces providing welcoming places for people to gather and socialise and free and subsidised activities for young and older people over the winter period. 

The council added that other initiatives include free buses for all on 19 dates leading up to Christmas and the New Year supporting people to shop and local businesses.

There are also grants to food banks and other food providers through this period of high demand and a promise that there will always be a bed in Swansea for anyone at risk of sleeping rough should they want one.

Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said: “We know that the Christmas and winter periods puts big pressures on families and individuals who are already struggling, so we are doing all we can locally to help and support our residents with our Here For You This Winter campaign.

“The shopping vouchers are going to families and individuals who are most in need of support so that they are able to get the essentials that they need during the holidays and not go without on Christmas Day.

“On top of this and with the support of our colleagues in Welsh Government we making funding available for warm and welcoming spaces for people who are feeling lonely or isolated so they can get together.  We will also be providing support to our local food banks and other emergency food providers as well as funding to feed young people in the Christmas and half-term holidays.

“The free bus initiative is again proving popular with families and our Together at Christmas event held in partnership with JR Events and Catering at the Brangwyn Hall was well attended providing a free Christmas dinner, entertainment and outreach services to those who are vulnerable.”

Cabinet Member for Well-being Alyson Anthony added: “These vouchers will make a big difference to those that need it most and for some will be the difference between having food on the table on Christmas day or possibly a gift for their children or not.

“I’m proud that as a council we doing all that we can to support out residents this winter.”

To find out about the support available in Swansea visit: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/costoflivinghelp

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#Christmas #CllrAlysonAnthony #CllrRobStewart #FoodBank #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaSpaces