(Nashka Eland, Micheila Radcliffe, Paula Thomas, Gaynor Brooker and Karen Hudson).

A group of six young women from Holyhead are well on their way to careers in early years care. They have just completed a comprehensive course with the Kid'z'Ink childcare company at Plas Cybi Partnership.

Elena Lavelle, Gaynor Brooker, Nashka Eland, Micheila Radcliffe, Celine Owen and Paula Thomas completed the 13 week course and have had the opportunity to earn a number of relevant qualifications. They have also spent many hours volunteering within the playgroups and after-school clubs which Kid'z'Ink run.

Plas Cybi and Kid'z'Ink were able to take on these participants after successfully bidding for an ESF/WCVA Engagement Gateway project.

Over the course of the 13 weeks, the participants received training in First Aid, Manual Handling, Risk Assessment and Child Protection, which will stand them in good stead if they choose to pursue careers in childcare. Some of them also took part in the first Driving Simulator course at Plas Cybi:

                               (Elena Lavelle at the wheel of Plas Cybi's Driving Simulator).

As well as these qualifications, they facilitated play and educational activities at the Kid'z'Ink site.

Karen Hudson, the manager of the Kid'z'Ink childcare service and the supervisor on this project, said:

"We are very fortunate that the Engagement Gateway project has allowed us to give people a taster in the field of childcare. Some of the six came to Kid'z'Ink with no formal qualifications and are leaving with a long list of accomplishments to add to their CVs. I know that they will make great employees in this field but the skills they have acquired are transferable and would be useful in any job they take."

Micheila Radcliffe said "I had been looking for work for a long time before a friend told me about the Gateway. I had done some work with children but now I have the qualifications to take with me to interviews."

Nashka Eland said "The Gateway has opened a lot of doors for me. It's given me drive and confidence and I've made plenty of friends too."

The Kid'z'Ink Engagement Gateway project is continuing to run in 2012. It is a great opportunity for anyone who would like a taster in childcare. If you are unemployed and interested why not call Karen Hudson on 01407 764526.

On Tuesday, December 20th 2011, Plas Cybi organised a free Christmas party for local children in conjunction with the Porthyfelin and Morlo Communities First partnerships

This was held at the Holyhead Leisure Centre.

Entertainment included: Steve's Celebration Disco and Games; Mr Bimbamboozle's Magic and Puppetry show; Arts and Crafts; Mickey and Mini Mouse; Hot Dogs and lots, lots more!

Thank you to everybody who worked hard to put the event on, and to everyone who attend.

(There are plenty more pictures on the Plas Cybi Facebook page!)

On January 19th, 2012, Plas Cybi Partnership and Keep Wales Tidy held the third "Holyhead in Bloom" Clean-Up Day. This time around, we invited Kingsland School along and held a recycling event with Will Stewart and the team at the Breakwater Country Park in Holyhead.

     (Kingsland pupils with the recycling posters they designed at the Breakwater Park).

After watching a short film on recycling with Eirian Williams of the Waste Management Team (Isle of Anglesey County Council), the Kingsland pupils took a fascinating tour of the Country Park with Will Stewart.

          (Will Stewart, Breakwater Park Warden, giving a tour to the Kingsland pupils).

(Gareth Owen, Keep Wales Tidy, managing the gorse with Holyhead High School pupils).

It was another successful Clean-Up Day. Thank you to everybody involved.

In May 2011, BBC Weatherman Derek Brockway (Alan Sanderson's best friend!) visited Holyhead as part of his BBC1 Wales series, 'Weatherman Walking'. Derek walked the four-mile tracked around Holyhead Mountain, South Stack and North Stack. If you missed the episode, click here or on the picture of Derek below to see it on BBC iPlayer.