Autumn 2019 ’ best policy and politics magazine

Julie Morgan AM ‘Smacking ban’ Homeless World Cup End Justice for Grenfell Kindness Evrah Rose

ISSN 2059-8416 Print ISSN 2398-2063 Online contents: autumn 2019 Wales’ best policy and politics magazine

Commissioner’s Casework Service Providing help and support to older people throughout Wales The Commissioner’s dedicated casework team provides tailored support to hundreds of older people and their families across Wales every year, helping them to challenge poor practice and decision-making by public bodies and public services.

If you are an older person in need of help and support, or if you know an older person who does, Julie Morgan AM Sarah Stone Heléna Herklots contact the Commissioner’s casework team now on: 2 Why it is not OK to hit children 4 The hidden cost of 10 Making Wales the best place exclusion from school in the world to grow older 03442 640670 or email [email protected] 2 Children: Julie Morgan AM 12 Homeless World Cup: 22 Arts & Culture: Quintin Oliver Why it is not OK to hit children Katie Dalton Book Review: Peacemaker www.olderpeoplewales.com Play your part to end homelessness 4 Child Poverty: Kristie Carter 24 Bevan Foundation News Reducing child poverty in 14 Homeless World Cup: Evrah Rose 26 Subscriber News Fit and Fed Project Postcodes Tackling school holiday 6 Education: Sarah Stone 27 Spotlight: Cerys Furlong hunger together! The hidden cost of exclusion 15 Homeless World Cup: Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg Working with a range of from school Charlotte Waite partners during summer 2019 Kindness matters 28 Last word: Victoria Winckler the programme achieved; 7 Education: Philip Blaker What ever happened to the • Over 470 Children and Young people engaged Qualified to care 16 Homeless World Cup: grassroots? Moyra Samuels • 108 fun and FREE activities delivered Wales’ best policy and politics magazine • 1492 Meals provided 8 Health: Rick Grenville Justice for Grenfell two years on • 1591 Snacks provided Maintaining supply of medicines • 66 opportunities provided for young people to volunteer Accross Wales, thousands of people after Brexit 18 Climate change: John Rose experience violence against women. Using an asset based approach we were able to keep the It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, ability, Community action on climate sexuality, sex, carer responsibility, household income, overall project costs to a minimum while still achieving gender identity, immigration status, ethnicity, geography our targets. Working with FareShare Cymru we were 9 Health: David Bailey change or religion. We work to prevent violence and make sure able to offer food parcels to Young people identified as that every person that needs support can access it. Why we need safe staffing levels likely to go without food over the weekend periods. HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP: 19 Fuel poverty: • Becoming an organisational • Making a financial donation For more information on the project contact: supporter – in turn we can 10 Older people: Heléna Herklots Carole Morgan-Jones • Choosing us as your support you with workplace Bethan Thomas, Youth and Inclusion Officer, Charity of the Year Making Wales the best place in the Time for action on fuel poverty policies and training Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association. • Organising a workplace • Donating gifts in kind world to grow older fundraising event email: [email protected] or call 01685352800. Bevan Foundation • Promoting us via your • Sponsoring an event 20 Partner profile: Community payroll giving scheme 145a High Street, A modern union for a changing Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8DP world

GET IN TOUCH Tel. 01685 350 938 welshwomensaid.org.uk /support-us [email protected] The views in articles, advertisements and news items in Exchange are those of the contributors www.bevanfoundation.org Welsh Women’s Aid, Pendragon House, Caxton Place, , Cardiff CF23 8XE Registered Charity number 1140962 and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by Bevan Foundation Trustees, staff or other subscribers. All articles are copyright Bevan Foundation. bevanfoundation

Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 1 children: julie morgan am can be used have been increasingly limited over the years, and it is now time to take that final step and remove the defence completely. Research shows that legislation Why it is not OK can help to bring about a reduced tolerance of smacking or other physical punishment of children, but it needs to be accompanied by to hit children effective awareness raising and availability of information, advice and support for parents. To support this Bill, I have committed to fund a Julie Morgan AM, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, high-intensity awareness-raising campaign, and we are mapping the sets out her mission to end the physical punishment of children. parenting support and advice already available which the Parenting Expert Group will consider with a view to making recommendations if needed. or as long as I can remember believing all children, no matter So, there is real cause to be I have asked “How can it ever what their circumstances, needed to optimistic that this law will help be right for a big person to I have been experience the outside world. So she to bring about behavioural change. I was never physically punished internationally, and in particular that Fhit a little person?” I have determined to visited them and took them on We have already seen legislation as a child and I did not physically so many countries have or are taking never understood why the law outings to the swimming pool and achieving behavioural change in punish my own children. I do steps to outlaw physical punishment. seems to condone this in any do all I can to the fish and chip shop, and I went Wales, a good example being the understand the nervousness that I recently visited and had circumstances, allowing parents, or change the law with her. That experience has stayed ban on smoking in enclosed some people may feel if they were productive discussions about the Bill anyone acting in a parental capacity, with me. public spaces. smacked as a child, or smacked their and children’s rights with politicians, to claim that physically punishing around reasonable Things have moved on since then The has own children – does this legislation officials and the third sector. I was a their children is “reasonable”. punishment of course, but there is always more already commissioned a baseline mean they will be blamed or shamed keynote speaker at an event earlier I have campaigned for the abolition we can do. Changing the law around study of opinions and awareness for that? No. This legislation isn’t this year, calling for legislation to of the defence of reasonable since 1997. reasonable punishment is about legislation on physical about judging what happened in the prohibit the physical punishment of punishment for more than twenty fundamental in a country which punishment of children so we past. It was a different time, different children in . I also years, first in Westminster as an MP believes in children’s rights. I have can track changes in attitude and met with Ex-Senator Jillian Van and, more recently, in Wales as an punishment as adults. If passed by been determined to do all I can to awareness as the legislation Turnhout who introduced an Assembly Member. Legislating to the National Assembly for Wales and change the law since I became an progresses. A representative survey amendment to remove the defence abolish the defence was a manifesto it becomes law, this Bill will achieve MP for the first time in 1997. At the was carried out in November 2018, How can it ever be of reasonable chastisement in commitment and has considerable that: parents and other adults acting time there was a real nervousness and the results published earlier this right for a big person Ireland in 2015. has had a cross-party support. I’m so pleased in a parental capacity will no longer about bringing in such legislation year. Interestingly, it found 58 per similar law in place for thirty years we have delivered on our be able to physically punish children which, as far as I’m concerned, cent of those surveyed thought the to hit a little person? now and New Zealand, the closest commitment and introduced the in Wales. led to an unsatisfactory legislative law did not allow parents to smack example in terms of our law and Children (Abolition of the Defence of I’m a mother myself and a outcome with The Children Act their children. It also found that population size, has seen minimal Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill grandmother to eight grandchildren. 2004. While that Act recognised while opinion was split on the things happened then and there impact on police activity and no in the Assembly earlier this year. I was a social worker for fifteen years that the defence of reasonable question of whether it is sometimes were different expectations. A lot of notable increase in the The purpose of the Bill is to help before entering politics, and so in punishment needed to be limited necessary to smack a child, more parents I have spoken with say they criminalisation of parents. I think protect children’s rights; it builds one way or another, I’ve always in its scope, it did not remove the disagreed with the statement (49 would have done things differently the tide is turning here in the UK on the Welsh Government’s been involved in upholding defence outright. I felt the UK per cent) than agreed with it (35 per if they had known back then what too, with the legislation being taken commitment to children’s rights children’s rights. I follow in my Government should have been cent). The same research showed they know now. There are positive forward in Wales and Scotland, under the United Nations mother’s footsteps in many ways braver and taken the step to abolish the level of support for smacking alternatives to physical punishment which is a good thing. Convention on the Rights of the as she was a fighter for children’s the defence then. It wasn’t to be, but was even lower among those with to provide children with the I know many individuals and Child, which celebrates its thirtieth rights. She understood that all I was determined not to give up. caring responsibilities for children guidance, boundaries and discipline organisations have campaigned for anniversary this year. Everyone, children need to be loved, nurtured More than twenty years later, we in aged seven or less – including they need, and we need to make decades to see children given equal whether adult or child, deserves to and valued. I would go with her to Wales are in a position to join more parents, guardians and family sure parents have information and protection from physical punishment be treated with the same respect Ely hospital where she worked and than fifty five other nations across members – with 59 per cent advice which will help them to use as adults. I’m very glad that it’s and dignity. As a government we where many children and young the world and take that step to disagreeing it is sometimes those alternatives rather than resort happening and I hope we will want to respect children’s rights by people with a learning disability were prohibit the physical punishment necessary to smack a child. And to physical punishment. manage to take it through for the giving children in Wales the same cared for and spent all their time. of children in our country. The among those aged 16 – 35, 60 per I am pleased that children’s rights protection of future generations of level of protection from physical She didn’t accept this reality, circumstances in which the defence cent disagreed with that statement. are being increasingly recognised children in Wales.

2 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 3 Child poverty: Kristie Carter New Zealand child poverty targets with greater needs. The Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy, launched Baseline rate 3-year target 10-year target in August 2019, sets out a shared Primary measure (2017/18) rate (2020/21) rate (2027/28) understanding of what’s important Proportion of children in 16% 10% 5% for child and youth wellbeing across Reducing child poverty households with low income multiple domains, what government (below 50% of median is doing and how others can help. income) before deducting The strategy draws on the best housing costs (relative to current figures) evidence from social science and in New Zealand cultural wellbeing frameworks. Proportion of children in 23% 19% 10% It was developed with input from households with low income 10,000 New Zealanders – including (below 50% of median over 6,000 children and young Dr Kristie Carter, Director of the Child Poverty Unit, Department of the Prime income) after deducting people – who told us what makes housing costs (relative to for a good life, what gets in the way, Minister and Cabinet, New Zealand, visited Wales in September as part of 2017/18 figures) and what we should do about it. a tour of and the . She talked to a wide range of Proportion of children in 13% 10% 6% The strategy includes a Programme agencies, organisations and individuals was to learn about what they are households facing material of Action that sets out the policies, hardship (lacking of 6 or programmes and plans to achieve doing to reduce child poverty and share what’s happening in New Zealand. more out of 17 items). the vision and outcomes. The Here she provides an overview of the New Zealand Government’s approach. current Programme of Action Reducing child poverty and • Expanding health services to includes 75 actions and 49 improving child wellbeing is children in disadvantaged schools supporting actions, led by 20 prioritised as an area for investment, and children under the age of government agencies, and reflects oo many children and social, environmental and economic three-year and ten-year targets, reflecting the government’s 14 years the strong call from children and young people and their implications of government report annually on the child commitment. Some of the initiatives • Reducing school costs for families. New Zealanders to urgently reduce families in New Zealand are decision-making. Soon after coming poverty measures, report on each that have already been implemented • Prototyping a free school lunch the current inequity of outcomes. Tfacing significant, often into office, the Government set a budget day on how the budget are designed to directly impact programme in disadvantaged The legislation underpinning the ongoing, adversity, deprivation and vision that New Zealand be the best will affect child poverty and how children living in poverty by putting schools strategy ensures transparency and stress which reduces their wellbeing place in the world for children and the government is progressing more money in the pockets of • Increased investment in data accountability through annual and life opportunities. In the New young people. towards its targets, and report on parents, while others are more to measure child poverty. reporting of outcomes. Zealand context, poverty has been As the first step, the Prime Minister, child poverty-related indicators. indirect and designed to ease the defined as the exclusion from a Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, as the The legislation establishes a pressures faced by families, such as Child wellbeing For more information please minimum acceptable standard of Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, balanced suite of measures to changes to health, housing and Amendments to the Children’s Act see the New Zealand living because of a lack of adequate introduced legislation to ensure measure and report on child education settings. Some examples 2014 (enacted in 2018) require Government website at: resources. It’s primarily about a ongoing political accountability poverty. They’ll allow us to track of recent initiatives focussed on successive governments to develop dpmc.govt.nz/our- family’s resources not meeting for reducing child poverty and progress towards the targets, child poverty reduction include: and publish a strategy to improve programmes/reducing-child- their basic material needs, and improving child wellbeing. The Child allow some international • Families package: $5.5 billion over the wellbeing of all children and poverty it’s estimated there are between Poverty Reduction Bill was divided comparison and provide a good 4 years, providing increased family young people, with a particular and 150,000 and 250,000 children into two bills at its final reading, picture of the impact of policy tax credit; increased focus on child poverty and those childyouthwellbeing.govt.nz living in poverty. becoming the Child Poverty decisions on the lives of children. accommodation supplement; Evidence shows that the Reduction Act 2018 and the The targets are aligned with the Winter Energy Payment; Best Start experience of poverty, especially Children’s Amendment Act 2018. sustainable development goal of child payment when that experience is severe and This significant legislation was reducing poverty by half by 2030 • Indexing main benefits to average persistent, can have a negative passed into law in December 2018 and have been described as wage growth impact on the lives of children – with wide ranging parliamentary ambitious by domestic observers. • Improving the affordability and on average, they’re more likely to support, helping to create an Targets must also be set for the availability of housing experience poorer educational enduring commitment to reducing proportion of children in • Extending paid parental leave outcomes, poorer health, and have child poverty and improving households facing persistent more difficulty finding work in child wellbeing. poverty by 2024. adulthood. The harmful effects can As part of the budget day It’s estimated there last into adulthood and impact on Child poverty reduction reporting, the Government must society as a whole. The Child Poverty Reduction Act report on progress toward the are between 150,000 Making the best choices for (2018) establishes accountability for targets and how the budget will and 250,000 children current and future generations of successive governments to reduce affect child poverty. The first young New Zealanders requires new child poverty. It requires the Budget 2019 report is available living in poverty. ways of working, and balancing the government of the day to set on our website.

4 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 5 education: sarah stone education: Philip Blaker The hidden cost of Qualified to care exclusion from school

Philip Blaker, Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales, Sarah Stone, Executive Director for Samaritans in Wales, outlines how new qualifications are preparing workers highlights the risks of excluding children from education. in health and social care for the future.

he connection between e are living through challenges that lie ahead. disadvantage and suicide a period of immense These qualifications have been is well known – what is social and designed in Wales, for Wales, but Tless clear is what can be Wtechnological change. they have been influenced by best done to tackle it. In a report we Change affects the skills, knowledge practice and research. As a result, published last year, we set out ten and understanding that people we are confident that the standards recommendations, one of which need to be successful, and to meet we are putting in place will be was to address the high social, the needs of our communities. So envied across the UK, enabling economic and human cost of it’s important that we continue to our future workforce to be well exclusion from education. In review qualifications across every equipped for the task in hand. particular, exclusion from sector to make sure that they are The qualifications have been education is linked to factors exactly what’s required by our streamlined but will continue to that increase the risk of suicide. learners and employers, not only be a recognised and consistent In recent months we have held now but also in the future. more than 240 to a suite of 22. They standard, providing a career pathway discussions with stakeholders life chances of young people same as the effects of exclusion, The latest qualifications that have provide learners with a clear route for those wanting to progress from about the next steps. We need to can be far reaching. creating a cycle of deepening been introduced following a review to improve their career prospects school through to employment – know more about the situation of Within our new report, the inequality. instigated by Qualifications Wales throughout their lives. essential if we are to recruit the children and young people who are underlying theme is the need to Decision-makers, including the are for Health and Social Care, and That’s what the new qualifications skilled workforce in the numbers not in education, its impact on shift our focus from firefighting to Welsh Government, educational Childcare. The first phase of these are all about. Developed in that we need for the future. them and what works to address it. prevention. Investment in leaders and staff, the health and new qualifications was taught, partnership by Qualifications Wales, The new qualifications for Health We also need to act now on what identifying and helping children social care sector and wider for the first time, last month with Social Care Wales and Health and Social Care and Child Care are we do know. and young people at risk of support agencies, should recognise the remainder starting in Education and Improvement Wales only the start of an ongoing Loneliness and isolation and not exclusion is urgently needed. this link between exclusion from September 2020. (HEIW) and delivered by a programme of reform. We are being part of a group reduce the Investing in prevention and early education and wider inequality. Devolution has provided an consortium made up of the Welsh already designing new positive sense of belonging we all intervention can reduce economic, In order to develop ways of opportunity for us to do something Joint Education Committee (WJEC) qualifications for construction and need to experience. Not belonging social and, most importantly, tackling and reducing exclusion, different in Wales. It’s allowed us to and City and Guilds, students can the built environment which will be can result in extreme emotional human costs. Right at the top of we must understand the prevalence bring a sharper focus to the way now work towards a variety of introduced in 2021, and work is also distress, including suicidal our recommendations is a call to of exclusion, its complex causes, that our society cares for its most qualifications based on their well underway for new qualifications thoughts. We can learn from each recognise and promote the ways in which young people vulnerable people, with a public interests or job roles. in IT and in engineering, advanced other about how best to reduce understanding of the direct link are excluded, and the wider policy drive to join up services. After a thorough process of manufacturing and energy. exclusion, but the first step is to between exclusion, inequality and policy implications. It is one that strives for continual review, including expert advice We have made it our mission to recognise the importance and great Adverse Childhood Experiences improvement and where those who and consultation with employers, work with our partners in education gain for individuals and society at (ACEs). Children and young people need care are right at the centre of learning providers, individuals who and industry to ensure that the large of doing this. If you’re out of are more likely to be excluded from Exclusion from education in our thinking and planning. use services and front-line workers, qualifications taken by learners in school, you can be out of your only education if they are experiencing Wales: The hidden cost is It’s an approach that has been we think these new qualifications Wales are the best available. It’s our source of support. Exclusion is far social inequalities such as poverty available to view or download welcomed by everyone involved will build on the excellent work contribution towards building a more than the act of removing a and disability. Crucially, the causes at www.samaritans.org/wales in the sector. We’ve reduced the already being carried out, and will confident and prosperous child from school: its impact on the of exclusion from education are the number of qualifications from enable the sector to take on the workforce for the future.

6 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 7 healthcare: ricK greville Health: David Bailey Maintaining supply of Why we need safe medicines after Brexit staffing levels

Dr Richard Greville, Director of ABPI Cymru Wales & Distribution Dr David Bailey, Chair of the British Medical Supply Chain, discusses steps taken to maintain the supply Association’s Welsh Council, says that NHS bodies of medicines after Brexit. should be required to have sufficient doctors on duty.

peculating about Brexit is it is suitably insulated to keep the octors are facing challenging because no-one required temperature for the longer increased pressures as knows for certain the situation journey, or make sure the lorry cuts to the NHS squeeze Swe face. But whatever the is refrigerated. Dmedical staff to breaking scenario, the focus for our Companies have been doing this point and vacancies continue to pharmaceutical companies for detailed planning for some months, climb. We don’t have enough several years has been to make sure but to complete their plans, they doctors to fill rota gaps and the that supplies of medicines to also urgently need to know the inevitable knock on effect is a drop patients are uninterrupted. Brexit is details of the ferry and airfreight in the standard of care for patients. the biggest logistical challenge our routes that the UK Government has Wales has an opportunity to lead the industry has ever faced. There are secured in support of critical goods, way on safe staffing levels with the around 12,300 medicines in use by such as medicines. We expect to get current Quality and Engagement the NHS, of which 7,000 come from this information soon, and Bill, and we need to grasp it with or via the EU1. companies are pulling out all the both hands. The commitment of our members stops to complete their preparations The Quality and Engagement Bill is absolute – they know that people in time. as it stands does go some way to rely on their medicines every day. No one knows what Brexit tackling widespread issues across Action to protect supplies includes situation we will face, and some NHS organisations. It proposes a service for too long. As doctors we other parts of the UK unless we increasing stocks of medicine in things are outside of the control of duty on organisations to be open feel this sting keenly and have been take this step and bring other the UK, changing supply routes, individual companies or the and honest when things go wrong, taking on extra shifts in the hope of medical professionals within the transferring medicine licenses and pharmaceutical industry as a whole. allows Welsh Ministers to appoint plugging institutional gaps, but we same remit. We’re calling for a duplicating quality testing in the EU. The best thing would be to leave vice-chairs to local health boards need legislation that goes further duty on NHS bodies to ensure To give just a few examples, Novo normally transported between with a deal, and we’ve been calling and trusts and it would mean that and enshrines safe staffing in law. appropriate staffing and to have Nordisk has tripled its warehouse Dover and Calais by ferry – known for a deal for a long time. But if a Welsh Ministers, local health boards As doctors who care passionately real-time staffing assessments in capacity to hold 18 weeks’ worth of as ‘roll-on roll off’ – it takes a lot of deal isn’t possible, companies are as and trusts, and special health about the NHS, what we’re trying to place to make sure wards always stock, Eli Lilly of the advanced planning, testing and prepared as they can be, and they authorities all have to work to secure do is make sure that every patient have the right number of staff and ’s Sanofi have similar validating of an alternative approach will continue to do everything they quality in health services. Despite sees the right professional at the who are able to deliver the highest stockpiles. Some members have told or route before you can actually can to make sure people get their this progress, there remain gaping right time. This basic element of our possible quality of care. us they’ve built up 6 months’ supply make a change. For example, lorry medicines, no matter what kind of holes around staffing levels. health service is reliant on there As doctors, delivering the best of stocks2. drivers are only allowed to drive Brexit we end up with. Evidence suggests that there’s being enough qualified staff present possible care to the people of Companies have also been certain distances without a rest, and a clear link between the level of at any given time. We want to know Wales safely is our highest priority. working on transporting medicines rightly so. If a lorry has to go on a quality that can be delivered by a Welsh Government is there with us, As a patient you should feel The Association of the British on alternative routes, avoiding the longer land journey or ferry crossing, hospital and whether that hospital understanding our concerns and confident that the quality of care Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) ‘short strait’ channel crossings where companies have to plan to send two has an appropriate number of staff pulling in the right direction for a you’re going to receive is both high represents innovative research- Government anticipates there could drivers, not one. Or, if a medicine available, but this isn’t acknowledged better-quality Welsh NHS. and consistent. For too long, based biopharmaceutical be delays. Transporting medicines is has to be maintained at a cool by the Bill. Understaffed hospitals Wales led the way with the Nurse lacklustre staffing levels have turned companies, large, medium and a complex process. If a medicine is temperature, you have to make sure contribute to adverse outcomes and Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016, but this into a question mark. The time small, leading an exciting new have been a strain on our health we are in danger of lagging behind to take action is now. 1 NAO report: Exiting the EU: supplying the health and social care sectors. era of biosciences in the UK. 2 Reuters: With a backup to the backup, insulin makers say they are primed for Brexit.

8 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 9 older people: Heléna Herklots Action is also essential to stop abuse in all its forms Making Wales the best place – including physical abuse, financial in the world to grow older abuse, psychological abuse and neglect. Far from being a burden, older people have much to give. Heléna Herklots, Older People’s Commissioner, sets out her ambition that our communities enable, to make Wales the best place to grow older. rather than disable, older people. By making our communities more age-friendly we have opportunities to tackle key issues like loneliness hen I took up post enterprises and our public services. them. Working towards this in Wales and isolation, support older people as Older People’s Second, working towards this means we will not be afraid to to be more independent and Commissioner for ambition will help us to change the identify and face up to the issues empower older people to shape WWales in August last narrative around an ageing society that undermine older people’s their communities and influence the year, I set out my ambition for Wales which is often focused on the quality of life, vital to ensure we can decisions that affect their lives. to be the best place in the world negative. So often we hear about the respond effectively and determine By delivering against these priorities, to grow older. ‘burden’ of an ageing population and where resources and services need building upon the good practice Whilst this may seem like a the pressure on services created by to be targeted. already underway, we can help to significant challenge, it is vital that older people. This not only ignores In order to achieve this ambition, transform the experience of growing years between the most and least It is important to remember that we are ambitious about what we the significant contribution that I have identified three key priorities older in Wales. deprived areas of Wales. absence of evidence is not can achieve for older people, and older people make to our lives and where progress is vital to ensure that As Commissioner, I have a unique Furthermore, differences in healthy evidence of absence. I have called that we have a common aim that communities as well as to the Welsh older people are protected, can role to play in taking forward these life expectancy (the number of years for action to close these data gaps unites our work to improve older economy (estimated to be over access the services and support they priorities and I am delivering a wide an individual can expect to live in as a matter of urgency to ensure people’s lives. £2.14 billion a year after health and may need as they get older, and can range of work against each of them, good health) are also highly that older people’s needs, as well But there are also a number of social care costs), but it also do the things that matter to them including examining transport to concerning – average healthy life as the issues that affect their lives, other important reasons why making overlooks the opportunities that an so they can have the best possible health services to see how they expectancy is around 62 years, can be fully understood so that Wales the best place in the world to ageing society offers. We should be quality of life. could be improved, research in which means people are currently resources and services can be grow older is something that we celebrating the fact that we are all We must take action to end partnership with the police and living a fifth of their lives in poor targeted effectively. should be aiming for. First, we living longer - which is after all far ageism and age discrimination. Crown Prosecution Service to health. Drilling down into these Tackling many of the issues that should aim for this because Wales better than the alternative. Ageism has an impact on older improve access to justice for older figures reveals that those living in the affect older people’s lives is within can be the best place to grow older. people’s health and well-being, as people, and a campaign to highlight most deprived areas of Wales can our collective power. We have As I highlighted in my first State of highlighted in a recent report by the and challenge the everyday ageism only expect to live in good health strong foundations to build upon the Nation report, published on the Royal Society for Public Health, it that is prevalent across society. I am for just over 50 years, 15 years short and an opportunity to lead the way. International Day of Older Persons, 90 per cent of older limits their opportunities and it also working with older people, of the current State Pension Age. We all have a role to play in making there is much to celebrate about people in Wales underpins many of the issues faced community groups and local My State of the Nation report also change happen and I am committed growing older in Wales. by older people in Wales today. authorities to make communities reveals significant and concerning to working with others to ensure For example, 90 per cent of older feel in control of Action is also essential to stop throughout Wales more age- gaps in the data that is collected that action is taken to deliver the people in Wales feel in control of their lives. abuse in all its forms – including friendly, with the aim of securing about older people, particularly in change required. their lives and 80 per cent feel they physical abuse, financial abuse, recognition from the World Health relation to abuse. This can lead to However, we are at a critical can do what matters to them. psychological abuse and neglect. Organisation’s Global Network of Age assumptions that older people are juncture – if we don’t act now there Beyond these statistics, I have also Abuse affects tens of thousands of Friendly Cities and Communities. not being affected by an issue, is a risk that many older people, visited many projects and services Third, I believe that the country older people in Wales, many of In addition to making progress rendering them invisible to policy – today and in the future, will face a that are already leading the way in that is the best place in the world to whom are amongst our most against these priorities, work is also and decision-makers. For example, deteriorating quality of life. But with improving older people’s lives and grow older is the country that brings vulnerable citizens, yet it is needed to tackle the stark data relating to domestic abuse is the right action, we can continue supporting them to age well, and the most difficult issues facing older underreported and often remains inequalities that exist within the often focused on the experiences to make progress and improve I have met with many creative and people – such as ageism and abuse hidden from view. older population. Differences in of people aged 18-59, implying that older people’s lives, with the aim of dedicated people working across – into the open and takes collected Enabling everyone to age well must life expectancy are significant, for those over the age of 60 do not making Wales the best place in the community groups, charities, social and concerted action to change also be a priority: we must ensure example, with a gap of nearly nine experience this kind of abuse. world to grow older.

10 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 11 Homeless World Cup: Katie Dalton We called on the Welsh featured sessions on homelessness, Government to make a cross- criminal justice and human government commitment to ending trafficking, as well as comedy, homelessness – something which poetry and podcasts! Kindness was all Welsh Ministers have now signed an overarching theme and it was Play your part up to in their new homelessness great to see members of the public strategy. We also urged them to engaging in these discussions, increase funding for the Housing asking questions and hopefully to end homelessness Support Grant in the next budget, leaving with more knowledge which funds homelessness and about homelessness. housing-related support services. Now that the Homeless World We also called on Ministers to Cup is over we hope that people The Homeless World Cup held in Cardiff aimed to be more provide the leadership and funding continue to engage with this issue than just a game. Katie Dalton, Director of Cymorth Cymru, for more social housing and Housing and play their part in ending First schemes, as well as embedding hundreds of people made pledges homelessness. Over the next year describes how everyone from businesses to ordinary people a trauma-informed approach in all at the tournament itself. Families we will be working Michael Sheen, were asked to play a part in ending homelessness. public services. visited our stand to talk about the the tournament partners and others We created calls to action for issues and had really thoughtful to support this activity. We want to social landlords, private landlords conversations about what they build on the pledges made during uring the summer of 2019 for homelessness, housing and and support providers, some of could do to help. Their kindness and the tournament: we have already Bute Park in Cardiff was support providers in Wales. We were whom responded positively during compassion was evident in their spoken to organisations interested transformed into a festival keen to play our part and saw the the campaign. We also called on pledges to smile and chat to people in conducting research or offering Dof football, music and tournament as a huge opportunity businesses to play their part by experiencing homelessness, to buy pro bono services, and in providing debate. The sun shone down on to influence public attitudes and opposing hostile architecture such them lunch or give what they could opportunities for people with 500 players who were proudly inspire change. In the subsequent as sloping benches which prevent to help. People also made experience of homelessness. representing their country on the months we spoke to 180 people people sleeping; offering commitments to support more In the coming months we will world stage. Thousands of people with experience of homelessness volunteering, training and social housing and contact their share how members of the public cheered them on, asking for about what mattered to them. We employment opportunities to Assembly Members and MPs about can stay connected and continue photographs and autographs also surveyed people working in people who have experience of to play their part in ending throughout the week. But this was services and gathered their views homelessness; offering their services homelessness through small acts not an ordinary football tournament. on the causes and solutions to pro bono and supporting charity of kindness and lobbying their local The stars were people who had homelessness. This resulted in campaigns for more housing and The tournament politicians for positive change. The experienced homelessness, the Play Your Part campaign. support services. was an extraordinary tournament was an extraordinary overcome significant challenges and We created a number of calls We know that lots of people are experience for players, coaches, shown extraordinary strength on to action aimed at a range of sympathetic towards homelessness experience – volunteers and the public. Let’s their journeys to this competition. audiences, including members of but are often unsure about what let’s make sure make sure it delivers a lasting impact The 2019 Homeless World Cup was the public, businesses, government they can do to help. The message on homelessness in Wales. held in Cardiff following a passionate and housing organisations. The idea from people with lived experience it has a bid led by actor and activist Michael that he wanted to create a lasting was simple: together we can end of was clear: treat us with kindness, lasting impact. Sheen. Organised by the Homeless impact and contacted me in 2018 to homelessness, but everyone needs compassion and respect. As a result World Cup Foundation in ask whether Cymorth could help in to play their part in creating a more we urged people to stop and have a partnership with the host city, this our capacity as the umbrella body compassionate society, providing chat with people who are homeless annual tournament has been to opportunities for people to thrive instead of averting their eyes and the structural issues that cause , and in recent and improving practice, policy walking on by. We said that if people homelessness and prevent people years. Each nation is represented The message and legislation. want to give money they should from having a home. by players who have experienced from people with We echoed the calls of many do so unconditionally, without These pledges were shared widely homelessness and social exclusion, other organisations for the UK judgement, from one citizen to on social media and reached all selected from street football experience of Government to stop the delays in another. We also highlighted the corners of the world, from , networks across the world. The Universal Credit payments and importance of people using their to the USA to ! This impact on the players is clear, homelessness increase Local Housing Allowance voice to create change, by learning resulted in people from a number increasing their sense of optimism, was clear: treat rates, both of which are preventing more about homelessness, of countries making pledges to play confidence, belonging and purpose, people from accessing and supporting calls for more social their part in ending homelessness often resulting in people rebuilding us with kindness, maintaining tenancies. We also and supported housing, and in their local community. It was relationships, exiting homelessness, compassion supported calls to repeal the contacting their local politicians amazing to see the impact of overcoming addiction and Act and end no recourse about this issue. our campaign across the globe. securing employment. and respect. to public funds for migrant survivors The Play Your Part campaign was We continued the discussion and Michael was clear from the start fleeing abuse. promoted on social media and debate in the Bevan Tent, which

12 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 13 Homeless World Cup: Evrah Rose Homeless World Cup: Charlotte Waite

Postcodes Kindness Matters

Charlotte Waite, founder of Kind Cardiff, contributed to a Homeless Evrah Rose, poet and spoken word artist, read her work in the Bevan World Cup discussion in the Bevan Tent on kindness. Here she Tent. Here, we publish a poem from her debut collection, Unspoken. describes how Kind Cardiff came about and what it aims to achieve.

Welcome to 2019 where police restrain black teens – for no apparent basis. ind Cardiff is a community These feelings brought the people This country is being intruded by hatred from racists action group made up of of Cardiff out of their homes on wet Neo-Nazi hooligans – look at the communities they are Cardiff residents who want Wednesday evenings and motivated breaking. Kto contribute to Cardiff us to find ways of reconnecting. The becoming a compassionate city. creative types in the group helped us The government remains empty eyed and vacant to the blatant abuse It all began after a showing of the nail our mission: “Whatever the of our multicultural nation. That system deals the cards but holds all the aces ‘Resilience’ documentary in Chapter problem, relationships are the acres of land yet we don’t have any spaces Arts Centre. The documentary answer. Smile, Notice, Take Time to for refugee families explores the impact of adverse Listen, Give Something of Yourself I dare even one of you – trade places. childhood experiences on someone to Others”. throughout life and highlights some We landed on kindness as a They’ve made this – country a fortress barricade our borders of the service and community powerful environmental tool. We were what if it were your sons or daughters? responses that have been tried the clear that a compassionate city is Are you forgetting the lessons world war one and two taught us? United States. The Cardiff audience not one satisfied with random acts Read and listen to more That division felt moved by this and they or soup runs. We questioned whose of Evrah’s work at: will never reward us. responded to a Twitter call to action restless, frustrated and angry that needs these approaches are evrahrosepoetry.co.uk to do something. their passion to give, help, and show meeting: who sleeps better once I hear chants of ‘go back to where you came from’ was it the same song when we asked these communities to rebuild Everyone in the group recognised care were being thwarted. ‘the haves’ have given to ‘the have our cities and towns? the loss of connections in our lives. Others spoke of the stress of the nots’? But yet the simplicity and somehow – our memory has faded now We shared stories from life and work pace of life and the competition accessibility of kindness is a it’s a pity how about the apparent rise in distress; between us: services, job roles, powerful call to action, it can tie we eat their food and buy their clothes how overwhelming it feels to walk waistlines, bank balances and Twitter us deeply to collectives of friends, watch their programs through the city populated so followers, driving us further apart families and groups, and to causes and attend their shows (as long as it’s benefiting us) right? densely with tents and cardboard and contributing to Cardiff feeling bigger than ourselves. It can bring It’s a hypocritical time and the media doesn’t represent plight in the homes. So often, instead of like a series of lonely planets, where us together, in moments, in way that it should be recognising humans from our individuals live lonely lives, observing conversations, in doing and being Scare tactics hometown, we see complex each other, often with suspicion. but crucially face to face, which they’re active in spreading maliciousness problems needing specialist Young people also came, suspicious today in Cardiff is radical. So we dishing up viciousness to would be militants whose melanin is rich in privilege solutions. The early days of Kind of older people looking them in the work to promote, enable and create what’s the difference Cardiff were characterised by eye as they spoke of the cruelty of moments, events, spaces where between one lung and another exactly? workers from public services coming their ‘virtual’ lives and FOMO (fear people can connect, find their tribe Our skins cover the same anatomy with tales of a broken system. They of missing out) of everything from or just connect with another human. the only differing fact – is geography. came as warriors of compassion: self-harm scars to six packs. Location is everything Kind Cardiff’s next event takes and if you’re lucky enough to be born into postcodes that shimmer Smile, Notice, Take Time to Listen, place on 22nd November at consider the bigger picture the Wales Millennium Centre, these ‘strangers’ are your brothers and sisters Give Something of Yourself to Others. Cardiff Bay or connect via and this Twitter @kindcardiff. is family business.

14 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 15 Homeless World Cup: Moyra Samuels Justice for Grenfell two years on

Moyra Samuels, a founder of Justice4Grenfell, was a keynote speaker in survivors and local community the Bevan Tent. Grenfell’s bereaved, survivors and community are still We will not recover affected by the fire challenged their We are battle weary fighting for justice more than two years after the disaster that took 72 lives. decisions and progress in until the authorities implementing support for mental but the support we tell the truth about and physical health and providing get from individuals community spaces for those or more than two years the what happened on affected to recover. and organisations residents of Grenfell Tower, The resounding message from this the bereaved family members that fateful night. community has been that we will keeps the wind Fand the local north Kensington not recover until the authorities tell in our sails. community who witnessed this From the outset the campaign the truth about what happened on horrific fire, have patiently waited for demanded that social housing be that fateful night, until the local Teresa May’s promise of “leaving no included in the terms of reference of council starts to really listen to the the support we get from individuals stone unturned” to come to fruition. the public inquiry. Our response when residents and until all survivors and and organisations across the country The public inquiry report will be the Teresa May rejected this was evacuated residents are appropriately keeps the wind in our sails. The published ten months after Phase “It is disappointing that the question housed. A lot of recovery is still desire for justice and to leave a 1 of the inquiry ended with an of social housing especially social managed by families and friends – legacy of hope and healing for the acute lack of any significant cleansing/gentrification will not be the community has lost more than next generation is an aim I hope recommendations. The timing of addressed in the inquiry as this five members since the fire to suicide. people right across the country the publication of the report has remains a critical issue not just for The campaign has been very can support. been met with dismay by the the community of North Kensington effective in keeping Grenfell in the Join us in demanding: bereaved and survivors as it will be but across the country, and goes to public consciousness. We ran the • there is a ban on all flammable made public a day before the Brexit the heart of a changing ideological ‘3 Billboards’ campaign in February cladding including high pressure deadline. It was the biggest loss of approach to social housing and the 2018 to highlight the fact that more laminate cladding; life from fire in Britain World War 2. pursuit of profit rather than the than six months after the fire there • councils are provided with the Justice 4 Grenfell was set up a few provision of safe, affordable, had not been a single person from funds and it is made a legal days after the Grenfell Fire disaster appropriate and adequate housing” the authorities questioned by the requirement to retro-fit sprinklers, and officially launched on June 19th These authorities include happen again to any other The campaign therefore had to police, yet they had uncovered a communal fire alarms and a 2017 with the first of monthly silent Kensington Tenants Management community. form alliances with housing number of cases of fraud. second evacuation staircase in walks – now held on the 14th of organisation, local and central 3. To remember and honour the campaign groups, especially Defend A year later in February 2019 we all residential blocks (in , each month from Notting Hill government, the companies who names and lives of men, women Council Housing – Homes for All, to used the ‘72 dead, No deaths in vain’ sprinklers are only a legal Methodist Church to the Grenfell supplied the dangerous cladding and children who lost their lives ensure that we were supported by slogan on T-shirts at the opening of requirement in new residential Memorial Wall. and insulation materials placed on in the dreadful fire and the impact people who had both the expertise the London fashion week to bring blocks taller than 30 metres); the building in the process of of the carnage on survivors and and experience of challenging unfair to the authorities’ attention that • that public services especially These are the campaign’s core aims. refurbishment and other wider community. housing policies. two months after the conclusion the fire service and the NHS are 1. Develop a community led, public organisations who were 4. To create a unified community We also took to the media of Phase 1, very few significant appropriately funded. interest campaign to hold all responsible for the safety of voice on key issues as a result of consistently to shame both local and recommendations had been responsible authorities and the building. the fire, to ensure that we are central government for the tardiness proposed to improve the safety of Every person deserves a safe and individuals to account (including 2. To ensure that what happened at properly consulted throughout with which the survivors and other residents of high rise buildings decent home! Justice for Grenfell! prosecutions) for their failure to Grenfell Tower on the 14th June the whole process. evacuated residents were being with dangerous cladding on them. provide safe homes, for the death 2017 stays in the public 5. To co-ordinate information so rehoused. Scrutiny of the local It has been arduous battle on so Find out more and support of loved ones and a lack of proper consciousness, so that there that justice can be attained authority’s Grenfell Recovery many fronts but the resilience of my the campaign at: and effective response prior to, remains pressure for systemic without delay and in an open programme became imperative and community is uplifting. There is no www.justice4grenfell.org during and after the disaster. change – Grenfell must never and transparent manner. the campaign along with bereaved, doubt that we are battle weary but

16 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 17 climate change: John rose Fuel Poverty: Carole Morgan-Jones Community action on Time for action climate change on fuel poverty

Communities can take the lead to address the climate With thousands of people struggling to afford to heat their home emergency, says John Rose, Wales Director, adequately, Carole Morgan-Jones, Director of National Energy The National Lottery Community Fund. Action Cymru, sets out what it will take to end fuel poverty.

read with interest Steve Brook’s Second, we are supporting grant ver the next few months article “The Land that Cried holders to identify and take action the Welsh Government Wolf” in the July copy of to manage their environmental will consult on a new IExchange. As the number or impact. We’re working with our Ofuel poverty plan for organisations declaring climate partners Renew Wales and Severn Wales. It has been a long time emergencies rises steadily it made Wye Energy Agency Sustainable coming and something for which me wonder what others were doing Communities Wales to provide expert National Energy Action (NEA) Cymru and inspired me to write this short advice and financial assistance to 30 along with other stakeholders, have piece about the efforts the National of our grant holders to help them been calling for for some time. Lottery Community Fund is making identify and implement practical Meanwhile over 150,000 fuel poor across the UK to support people and Welcome to our woods action they can take. This is a pilot households have endured the misery communities to take action to which we will use to inform our future of a cold home. address the Climate Emergency. people and their natural practice, seeking the correct balance The Wales Audit Office has found are also assisted to access any It will prioritise ensuring that the After all, by sharing approaches we environment for the benefit of between inspiring communities and that the Welsh Government’s target income support measures such as homes of people in fuel poverty can hopefully inform, inspire, gain a people’s health and wellbeing. requiring specific measures. to eradicate fuel poverty by 2018 the Warm Homes Discount Scheme, meet Energy Performance sense of shared ambition and build • ‘Down to Earth’ in the Gower Third, we announced in July an was highly ambitious. Fuel poverty is to save money from switching Certificate Band A as part of its plans a greater collective movement. peninsula works to build additional £100 million of funding for a complex problem and the Welsh suppliers and to have access to to tackle climate change. This will So why is meeting the challenge of confidence and skills for a variety a UK-wide Climate Action Fund that Government lacks the powers to benefit entitlement checks. ensure households in the deepest the Climate Emergency so important of people through sustainable will enable people and communities influence energy prices and The new health prevention-based fuel poverty, such as those off mains to National Lottery Community construction and broader personal to take the lead in tackling the climate household incomes, both key causes affordable warmth pilot, introduced gas and in solid wall properties, Fund? Put quite simply, addressing development activities. emergency. Communities will work as of fuel poverty. Instead, the Welsh in the last year, is an important step receive help first. We want the Welsh the Climate Emergency is • ‘Cyd Ynni’ run by Datblygiadau part of broader partnerships and stand Government’s focus for addressing forward. The pilot has enabled Government to progress this everybody’s business. As we Egni Gwledig (DEG) – a social as beacons of what is possible. With fuel poverty has been on energy low-income owner occupiers and recommendation as soon as possible celebrate the 25th birthday of the enterprise supporting community our support, they will share their efficiency, also a cause of fuel tenants in the private rented sector to ensure that decarbonising National Lottery this November we led action and renewable energy learning and engage with others to poverty, through providing over who suffer from a respiratory, domestic homes is done in a fair are proud of our role in funding projects in Gwynedd. build a broader movement of change £250 million to the Nest and Arbed circulatory or mental health and equitable way. We also want the environmental activities across the to reduce their carbon footprint and energy efficiency schemes over the condition to receive a free boiler, Welsh Government to back our call UK. The Fund was in fact a key We believe in the power of people increase participation in community- past ten years. central heating or insulation from for energy efficiency to be a national funder in the early days of the to enable our communities to thrive. led climate action. One of the major difficulties is the Nest scheme. It helps to prevent infrastructure priority to help unlock community recycling and community To play our part in supporting As the largest funder of community that we simply don’t know what their illness deteriorating and reduces UK funding. renewable energy movements. communities to take action to activities, we look forward to building difference this investment has made. needless deaths due to cold housing. We cannot have a new plan that Since 2013 alone we have invested address climate change, the Fund is a greater collective movement to We need a better way to assess the We would like to see the pilot become sits on the shelf to gather dust. We around £345 million through 4,800 implementing a three-part strategy ensure we safeguard the environment impact of the funding, both in terms a permanent feature going forward. need a Strategic Monitoring Board grants to UK projects with an running concurrently. for future generations to enjoy. of the energy efficiency improvements The Welsh Government has to oversee the delivery of the new environmental aspect including: First, we are taking action to being installed as well as the nature recently accepted in principle fuel poverty plan as well as to review • ‘Welcome to our Woods’ a minimise our own impact by reducing The Fund will open this Autumn at: and quality of advice provision for the recommendations from the it on an annual basis and make any community partnership in energy consumption in our buildings, www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/ households. We need to ensure that Decarbonisation of Homes Advisory necessary adjustments. We simply Rhondda Cynon Taf which is managing travel and placing clearer funding/programmes/climate- households get the best out of the Group to commit to a long-term cannot leave it for another ten years seeking new ways of connecting requirements on our suppliers. action-fund home improvements and that they programme of retrofitting homes. and risk failing again.

18 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 19 partner profile: Community represent, we also recognise the world continues to change.” The union’s ambition to respond As a union we will always seek to protect jobs, to the changing world of work has secure the future of our industries and ensure led to it creating the Changing Work people working in the UK continue to have A modern union for Centre think tank – a partnership with the Fabian Society - that looks protections at work. to develop and champion “progressive ideas for the modern a changing world working world”. This reinforces needs as their working life develops. two new areas for action over Community’s efforts to prepare both Another example is Community’s the next couple of years. the union and its membership for response to the recent, rapid The first is a campaign around waves of change in the nature of increase in self-employment. skills, which fits firmly within the The Community trade union is proud of its long industrial employment and job security. The union has been trialling and union’s workplace agenda and history in the steel communities of Wales, but as the world of A key part of the Centre’s work is developing ways to support and will also reinforce its work running Community’s Commission represent the self-employed, around automation. work continues to change the union is changing too. on Workers and Technology. including pilot partnerships and “The changing nature of the Chaired by Yvette Cooper MP, it joint-working with organisations economy means that successful has brought together academics, such as the Institute for organisations are those where a ommunity was formed in experts, business and unions to look Professionals and the Self- culture of training, re-training and 2004 by the merger of at how the rapid pace of automation Employed. Of particular interest to upskilling are the norm – the Iron and Steel Trades can be a benefit to workers, not just Community has been how welfare essentially where employers invest CConfederation (ISTC) with a threat. The Commission publishes and pensions policy could be better in their people. This equips our the Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel its findings next year but its work to shaped to account for the ways members for the changing world Trades union (KFAT). The joining date has found too many workers in which self-employed workers of work, be that with their current together of steelworkers and textile are unaware of, or unprepared for, earn and save. employer or in readiness for a workers came about through the oncoming wave of automation. Threaded through all these different job,” says Roy Rickhuss. a shared experience of the de- This trend was also a finding in a activities is the union’s commitment The second campaign, running industrialisation of the UK through recent UK Parliament Business, to live up to its name. Roy Rickhuss concurrently, will look at how the the 80s and 90s. Both unions Energy and Industrial Strategy says that the community focus union can make a difference to the retained an interest and affinity with Select Committee report. remains. “Our members’ concerns rise in homelessness over the past the communities that lost their Lauren Crowley, Community’s are not confined to the workplace, decade, particularly the plight of industry and they took the decision Head of Equalities, who has been and so neither is the support we homeless veterans. Community to become unions for those areas, closely involved with the offer them. We understand how counts many veterans among its following workers from the steelworks Commission’s work, says that “Too what happens in our members’ activist base, particularly in the or textile mills into new sectors. many people are unaware how homes and communities can affect steel industry and the union’s In Wales, the ISTC traces its roots destabilising these changes could what happens in the workplace and justice sector, and it has also back to its formation over 100 years be and think that their job or their vice-versa.” supported volunteering and ago and the union has witnessed the sector will be immune. We have a To that end, over the past two fundraising efforts of members for many ups and downs of the Welsh workforce that is unworried and not years Community has been running homeless charities. The campaign steel industry. Community still upskilling, employers that are not a priority campaign on mental will refocus these experiences and represents the steelworkers of Wales automating and a government that health. The multi-pronged action activities towards common aims – in Port Talbot, Trostre, Cardiff, is not leading. The danger is that we included persuading employers to and represents another strand of Llanwern, Newport, Shotton and could end up with an uncompetitive sign-up to a mental health charter; the union’s work rooted in its elsewhere. It remains a champion economy, a more unequal society training for members on mental values of community. of an industry that constitutes a and a workforce that is unprepared health awareness or mental health “We know that the best way significant part of the Welsh to meet the demands of a first aid; as well as activity to push to achieve economic and social economy, continuing to campaign technological employment market. mental health up the political justice for our members is to for a joined-up industrial strategy Underpinning the union’s approach working in the UK continue to have We need workers, employers and agenda, such as signing the constantly evolve to be in the best with steel at its foundation. is its aim to work in partnership protections at work. I do not believe government working in partnership Time To Change Wales pledge position possible to respond to As the steel industry has changed with employers to the benefit of this contradicts with the creation to focus on skills, investment and on ending the stigma around the world that people face at work so has Community’s membership. its members. of successful and sustainable training to prepare for the future.” mental health. and in their communities. This Following its members into new As Roy Rickhuss, Community’s organisations, in fact I think it is Community is fully aware that it This campaigning focus is a way is what Community and our sectors and reaching out to other General Secretary explains: “As a fundamental to a thriving and needs to act if it’s to support its of bringing together Community’s predecessor unions have done like-minded unions, its membership union we will always seek to protect diverse economy. While we are members through these major more diverse membership behind a for generations and that’s what has grown while employment in jobs, secure the future of our proud of our industrial past, and of changes to work, by evolving the common goal. At the union’s we will strive to continue,” traditional industries has declined. industries and ensure people the growing diversity of sectors we union’s offer to meet member conference in June, members chose concludes Roy Rickhuss.

20 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 21 arts & culture: quintin oliver ‘Petition of Concern’, for the seven- year Border Poll provision and much Paul Murphy has certainly added value more. A Mo Mowlam critic might seize on that as evidence of her to what was known, with his engaging, declining faculties and inherent reflective and deeply ‘Welsh’ Book Review: laziness, but I read it as a sublime tribute to Paul’s qualities. Similarly, personal contribution. his close and effective work with Ingram showed his, and the overall Peacemaker team’s, seamless coverage of many friendships and their meaning Friday negotiations, in theory and complex, interdependent and for him, beyond ecclesiastical? in actual practice. On one page overlapping challenges, not least the Nevertheless, has this led to an (p. 133), reference is made both to Quintin Oliver reviews Paul Murphy’s recent book ‘Peacemaker’. Quintin controversial Northern Ireland over-estimation of the power and ‘proximity talks’ and ‘shuttle was director of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action Budget, that Paul also handled. influence of organised religion on diplomacy’ in respect of the Let us take religion, not unknown the resolution of our conflict? Hillsborough Talks on devolving until resigning to run the YES Campaign for the 1998 Good Friday to us in Northern Ireland as a source Murphy reasons so, many disagree; policing. In negotiations training, Agreement. He now runs conflict experts, Stratagem International. of contention, suspicion and especially in light of the declining those are different approaches, so discord. Murphy’s obvious Irish numbers and increasing scrutiny I, for one, would have valued more; Catholic background was never, ever of their institutional weaknesses. similarly on the outcomes of s a minor bit-part player in decommissioning arms and prisoner an issue; and that’s not just because Another fascinating vignette various Murphy stratagems, rather Northern Ireland’s peace release. That is the essence of Mo there has always been a mixed- concerns Murphy’s seemingly than just the inputs he describes in process, I always devour and the essence of Paul – caution religion Northern Ireland Office effortless shift from robust anti- detail. As another example, he talks Anew additions to my versus risk, introversion over team nor that we give outsiders and devolutionism for Wales, including about the unit of Wales in public bookshelf of histories, memoirs and extroversion, inward-facing against incomers a ‘free pass’ on the matter. a leadership role with policy, but apart from a tantalising autobiographies; they add to the outward-looking. As Bruce Anderson It’s because he wore his identity, as against the 1979 referendum. As glimpse on p. 72, we hear little sum of knowledge, clarify in The Independent later opined ‘a Welsh, as Catholic, as Labour, with Treasurer he funded a 10-point about policies directed towards contemporaneous evidence, and safe pair of hands…he did the work ease and confidence. Murphy’s love manifesto, ‘Facts to Beat the inequalities, public health, sometimes help explain behind-the- when she showed off’. letter to Wales and his Welshness, on Fantasies’, claiming a £20 million community engagement or scenes shenanigans of which one That is why they were such a p. 58 of Peacemaker, is worth the price tab for the Wales Assembly, poverty. What helps Wales work? was only just aware. fantastic team. It could have worked read alone. He closes some 150 and what we would now regard as Where he does excel is on the Paul Murphy has certainly added out differently, dysfunctionally even. pages later, referencing: ‘the moral a rather old-fashioned rant against power of relationships, value to what was known, with his Murphy describes how well this and political bedrock that has ‘quangocracy’, as ‘deeply-resented… encapsulating the very book’s title, engaging, reflective and deeply team worked together, with the sustained me for three decades’. unelected public bodies…running and demonstrating his own ‘Welsh’ personal contribution. As irascible, but driven security minister, Although, his being born into many public services…staffed by commitment to cultivate, maintain ever in these cases, I wish we had all Adam Ingram (a Rangers football Labour, rather than persuaded, Tory appointees’. The less said the and enrich those human chords, been able to read Paul’s description club season ticket holder), the secures less attention or enquiry; better forty years on, perhaps; we so amply shown in his deep of his early upbringing, schooling, hapless Eric Illsley, and the wise in the book it becomes axiomatic, all still need and rely on our connections – and consequential entry into Oxbridge and then into Gareth Williams in the Lords. self-evident, non-negotiable. quangos, with or without their political successes – after his Torfaen Council life, as he joined Murphy certainly contrasted sharply Teams require leadership from the Just as the Conservative Party’s Tory appointees! father and his close friends, with Mo Mowlam on the Shadow with the colourful, zesty and top, internal loyalty to the common Chris Patten’s and Michael Ancram’s By 2011 he was supporting the Mo, Alun and Rhodri and the Northern Ireland Office team in irreverent Mo, whose style and vision, approved delegation and Catholicism a decade earlier had legislative powers referendum, labour leaderships under Blair, Blair’s New Labour to help guide us characteristics were one of a kind, oodles of trust to perform raised few hackles at the Northern asserting ‘the Assembly was now Brown and Miliband. towards the momentous leading to her stellar ascent up the coherently and effectively. In one Ireland Office, so Paul’s was a very much part of the lives of Welsh Irritations: as with any book, a comprehensive peace accord. greasy pole of political success until telling reference, he explains that manifestation of his core, his people’. He explains rather simply: few weaknesses began to make me We have endured or enjoyed well her brain tumour and subsequent Mo ‘left me to get on with Strand upbringing, his beliefs and his deep ‘Even in the valleys, views on bristle. Forgive me mentioning the over one hundred Direct Rule debilitating illness felled her, leading One…’ What an admission! For us faith. Reading Peacemaker we learn devolution changed – including poor choice of pale font, the rather Northern Ireland Office Ministers in to her death in 2005. Interestingly, Strand One was an ultra-critical of that profound influence, and of my own!’ self-promoting and hard-to-view the last half century of our contested Murphy confesses to opposing her cornerstone, the very building blocks the many visits, meetings and Murphy has chosen, not atypically photographs and the endless identity, with Murphy one of the brave and decisive decision to go for our Assembly and Executive’s encounters with priests, bishops, for memoirs, the chronological unnecessary exclamation marks!!! kindest, calmest and sanguine personally into the Maze/Long power-sharing architecture – for archbishops, cardinals and the Pope approach. This brings obvious linear incumbents. Mark Durkan (former Kesh prison to negotiate with the designation as Unionist, Nationalist himself. His many subsequent benefits but also causes some SDLP negotiator, MLA, MP and party Loyalist paramilitaries about and ‘other’, for the controversial veto eulogies at funerals and memorial repetition in explanation; it also Peacemaker, by Paul Murphy. leader) describes him: ‘generous in events gives testimony to Murphy’s obviates some deeper horizontal University of Wales Press respect to others… integrity, level- popularity, respect and speech- analysis around themes and ISBN: 9781786834720. headed normality, steady instinct, making repertoire. Indeed, might concepts. For example, I’d like to £25 Hardback. honest reflection and adjustment Teams require leadership from the top... we have heard some more of those have heard more about the Good with a rounded take on life…’

22 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 23 news news Keeping you up-to-date with what’s going on Keeping you up-to-date with what’s going on Bevan Foundation News

Insights Spreading the word People

Back to school A Welsh budget to solve Prosperous valleys, Homeless World Cup Gwlad Partnership poverty resilient communities We were proud to host the Bevan The Bevan Foundation was delighted The Bevan Foundation is delighted Tent at the Homeless World Cup in to be part of a lively programme of to have agreed a partnership with The 2019 Eisteddfod saw the launch On the third anniversary of the 2019. About 10,000 people enjoyed events to mark 20 years of the Open University in Wales. The of our proposals for the Welsh Welsh Government’s Valleys Task an exciting mix of debate, comedy, devolution. Our panel discussion OU is the second of three partner Government’s 2020/21 budget. Force, we looked at what it has film, poetry and fiction, all with a with AM, Counsel organisations which share the values With some £18 billion a year, it is a achieved to date. And with a new focus on social justice and inclusion. General for Wales; AM, of equality, prosperity and justice. powerful tool that could tackle the Deputy Minister leading a new Some of the highlights of eight great Shadow Social Justice spokesperson; The Open University (OU) in Wales root causes of poverty. We looked membership of the Task Force, we days are included in this issue. and Conservative Cllr Joel Williams is the leading provider of part-time at each aspect of the Welsh budget also set out our proposals for the discussed the question of whether it undergraduate higher education and and called for spending to be focused next two years and beyond. We is ‘Make or break for devolution’? supported distance learning across on proven ways of solving poverty. stressed that ‘the valleys’ are complex, Wales. Its unique teaching method Our recommendations included: and in particular that there are enables those who may never • investing in job creation in the considerable assets that can be previously have considered higher areas with the greatest jobs deficit developed. We also argued that the education, or those with work or • targeting action on fuel poverty solutions do not lie in increased caring commitments, to be able to at low income households commuting to Cardiff, Newport or achieve and prosper. No formal • offering 15 hours of high-quality the M4. Instead, the Task Force needs qualifications are needed for most childcare for all children of to look at more radical solutions, OU study and learners can study pre-school age such as developing community anywhere and at any time. • closing the educational assets, driving a step change in In addition, OpenLearn provides a attainment gap the role of social businesses and As children returned to school for the wide range of learning opportunities • restoring the value of Education building a strong manufacturing Bevan Foundation goes autumn term, we looked at how local – all free of charge. Maintenance Allowance and the and foundational economy. We are authorities administer financial help international Further Education Grant looking forward to presenting our with the costs of school uniforms and • increasing social housing grant proposals to the Valleys Task Force school meals. We found some We were honoured that the Bevan to reduce the upward pressure and are continuing to develop a examples of good practice, with local Foundation was invited to present our on rents blue-print for the area working authorities providing accessible work on the south Wales valleys to an • close the gap in health between with a range of local partners. Where next for civil society? information, simple administration international conference on coalfield rich and poor. and quick payments. But we also transitions in Cottbus, Germany. The report is available in English and found some authorities could do Helen Cunningham explained the Working with the Electoral Reform in Welsh at: www.bevanfoundation. Goodbye to Rachal more to ensure cash reaches the challenges faced by Wales’ former Society Cymru, we hosted a half org/publications/putting-poverty- Minchinton families who need it most. coalfields and learned from elsewhere day seminar on ‘where next for at-the-centre-of-the-welsh- in Europe about their approaches to civil society’. Discussions covered governments-2020-21-budget We’re discussing our a ‘just transition’. the struggles faced by grass Trustees and staff recommendations with the Welsh roots organisations, in particular are sad to see Government and Welsh Local in relatively deprived areas of Rachal Minchinton Government Association. Wales, and how best they might stand down as a be supported as well as issues of Trustee in order to The report is available at: transparency in the relationship concentrate on www.bevanfoundation.org/ between civil society organisations her new role at publications/back-to-school-local- and Welsh Government. The Hafal. We thank variations-in-help-with-costs-of- morning ended with those present her for all she has done wish school-meals-and-school-uniforms voting on ideas for change. her the very best for the future.

24 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 25 news All the latest from our subscribers Spotlight On Cerys Furlong Subscribers’ News Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg

Citizens Advice WCVA. Make a bigger WISERD Describe Chwarae Teg? difference together Chwarae Teg is the charity inspiring, At WCVA every single one of us leading and delivering gender is rallying around a new purpose. equality in Wales. We want to see a To tackle the challenges society faces fairer Wales where all women can we need voluntary organisations now achieve and prosper. more than ever. But none of us can do it alone. We’ve been thinking long What is your role at and hard about our role and what Chwarae Teg? we can do to ensure that voluntary WISERD to receive major funding organisations are ready for the from ESRC for continuation of civil I’m the Chief Executive, so challenges ahead. That’s why we’ve society research responsible for setting the strategic refreshed our purpose and given WISERD is one of four social direction (with our Board) for the ourselves a clear focus for the future science research centres in the UK organisation and ensuring we – to enable voluntary organisations to be successful in the Economic implement it so we can meet our Banks in Wales are closing at a faster in Wales to make a bigger difference and Social Research Council (ESRC) charitable goals. rate than ever before, and reduced together. We’ll be using our new Centres Competition. WISERD will access to cash and face-to-face purpose as a call to action, to receive £6.3 million as reinvestment banking services is harming bring together not just voluntary into the continuation of its civil What do you enjoy most consumers. To find out if the post organisations of all kinds, but also society research. about your work? office can fill the gap left by bank to inspire business and public bodies The new five-year interdisciplinary branch closures, local Citizens Advice to offer their support so we can all research programme will explore The fact that what we do actually offices tested post office banking make a bigger difference and build changing perspectives on civic make a difference to the women services across 9 local authorities in a better future. stratification and civil repair. WISERD and organisations we work with. Wales. The research found a full range will draw on expertise and innovation I feel privileged to be in this role, and of banking services were available in Find out more at www.wcva.cymru from across its partner universities of genuinely believe that we are doing the majority of post offices and Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, South work that can make Wales a more transactions were generally Wales and Swansea. Partnerships with equal place for future generations. If you could invite Why does Chwarae successful. Likewise, treatment by other UK and international universities anyone, dead or alive, Teg support the Bevan staff and overall experience scored will also play an important role. What’s been your biggest to a dinner party who Foundation? highly and waiting times were The programme aims to transform generally short. However, over 40% of leadership challenge? would you invite? our understanding of how civil Because we need solutions to solving people said that the post office lacked society is affected by, responds poverty and inequality in Wales – the necessary privacy for banking. Running an organisation in the Without doubt my Mum – who died and contributes to, forms of civil these are amongst the biggest issues The research highlights that the Post voluntary sector at this time, with in 2007. I’d love to update her on exclusion and expansion, civic loss of our time. The Bevan Foundation Office is in a good position to prevent all the uncertainty around Brexit all the crazy stuff that’s happened and gain, and the potential for civil consistently challenges us to think vulnerable groups from becoming and reducing public funds is really since then, whether that is all the society organisations to play a key differently about what we do and the financially excluded by ensuring that hard. We want to do more work, not grandchildren she now has or the role in repairing the fabric of civil life. way we do it – we need that evidence people have access to face-to-face less, but we have to find new and mad political environment we are based thought leadership in Wales. financial services. different ways to fund that activity. currently in. We will use the results of this research to draw up recommendations for key stakeholders in Wales around how post office banking can work best for consumers.

26 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | 27 the last word: Victoria Winckler Beyond cities: resilient local What ever happened economies and communities Exploring the role, to the grassroots? prospects and opportunities for places beyond cities to build Victoria Winckler, Director of the Bevan Foundation, asks if Wales’ resilient local economies civil society organisations can meet the challenge of devolution. and communities Thursday 28 November 9:00 – 13:15 n October, the Bevan live and are champing at the bit surprisingly they get less than their Foundation was pleased to do their bit for their neighbours. fair share of charitable funding, Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil to organise a half-day Sadly, if this was ever true, it is such as from lottery funders. Far To book, please visit the I seminar with the Electoral no longer the case. While the from communities thriving with Reform Society Cymru, entitled majority of people still feel they happy smiling citizens getting events page of our website ‘where next for civil society’. The ‘belong’ to their community, they involved, there are all too many www.bevanfoundation.org/ impetus for the seminar came are more likely to have a sense of reports of some long-established events/ from a shared concern that while community if they live in a relatively local clubs and societies closing devolution had brought many well-off area or are relatively well- down for want of volunteers changes to Welsh institutions, off themselves. Asked if people and funds. we were less convinced that civil feel that they belong in their Does this ‘inverse charity law’, society, and in particular Wales’ community, 76 per cent in the to borrow a phrase from Julian charities and community groups, least deprived areas of Wales said Tudor Hart, matter? Join to get your own copy of Exchange had kept pace. ‘yes’ compared with 68 per cent of Yes it does. Community groups Where is the challenge, we those in the most deprived areas. provide vital services, from arts and Exchange is Wales’ best policy and politics magazine and is a wondered? Where are the When it comes to getting sports to counselling and support must-read for anyone interested in Wales today. activists? Why are there so few involved, people from higher socio- to social care and advice. They also demands made to politicians for economic groups are generally create jobs, buy goods and services Exchange is exclusively for Bevan Foundation supporters, as a thank you for giving at new legislation? How come there much more likely to volunteer locally, and offer great learning and least £3.25 a month. are hardly any petitions presented with a charitable organization than experience for volunteers. They’re to the Assembly? In other words, others. While a detailed breakdown a vital space that isn’t work and isn’t are our devolved institutions being is not available, Welsh Government family, where comradeship can Sign up online at www.bevanfoundation.org or send this tear-off strip let off the hook? figures show that people in owner- flourish and horizons broaden. All At the seminar itself, a lot occupied housing are twice as in all, community groups contribute I would like support the Bevan Foundation and receive Exchange three times a year of discussion focused on the likely to volunteer as people in to a vibrant civil society and help supposedly cosy relationship social housing. foster active, engaged citizens. Please tell me more about the Bevan Foundation between the third sector and It’s not surprising, then, that Third sector PR will of course tell government. But we also touched Wales’ more deprived areas have us that all is well – they point to on the relative weakness of the fewer charities per head than the successes and inspiring stories. Name third sector itself, which is arguably elsewhere. With just two or three But it doesn’t feel like that on the Address the fundamental problem. charities per thousand people, ground. There, what’s needed are Wales supposedly has strong the south Wales valleys stand out the absolute basics: how to set up Postcode community values and a proud as something of a charity desert. a group, how to form a committee, Email address tradition of community activism. Those charities that do exist are how to register as a charity, and No end of Welsh Government generally smaller, with lower easy to access small start-up funds policies and programmes have incomes, than in England. And and how to manage it. Only by Please post with a stamp to: Bevan Foundation, 145a High Street, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8DP been based on the assumption because there are fewer charities building from the grassroots will Tel. 01685 350938 Email: [email protected] that people care about where they with limited resources, hardly Wales get the civil society it needs.

28 | Bevan Foundation Exchange | Autumn 2019 Talk - Think - Act

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