Cross Party Group on Climate, Nature and Wellbeing

Grŵp Trawsbleidiol ar Hinsawdd, Natur a Lles

17:00 – 18:00

20.05.2024

Virtual Meeting over Zoom

Cyfarfod ar-lein dros Zoom

1. Croeso a chyflwyniad

Welcome and introduction

Delyth Jewell AS/MS

2. Cofnodion y cyfarfod diwethaf

Minutes of the last meeting

Delyth Jewell AS/MS

3. Ymgysylltu â phobl ddall ac â golwg rhannol yng Nghymru

Engaging with Blind and Partially Sighted People in Wales

Kirsty James, RNIB Cymru

4. Llysgenhadon Hinsawdd Ieuenctid Cymru

Youth Climate Ambassadors for Wales

5. Busnes arall

Any other business and date of next meeting

Delyth Jewell AS/MS

Attendees: Antonia Fabian (AF), Ollie John (OJ), Kirsty James (KJ), Emily Darney (YCA), Dafydd Huw (DH), Liz Williams (LW), Laura Haig (LH), Zak V (ZV), Molly Hucker (MH), Gustavo Huezo (GH)

MSs in attendance:Delyth Jewell MS

Minutes

1. Croeso a chyflwyniad / Welcome and introduction

DJ welcomed the group, KJ was introduced from RNIB Cymru and DH was introduces as the new policy officer for RCPsych Wales. ZV was welcomed back in a new capacity.

2. Cofnodion y cyfarfod diwethaf / Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were approved

3. Ymgysylltu â phobl ddall ac â golwg rhannol yng Nghymru / Engaging with Blind and Partially Sighted People in Wales RNIB Cymru

KJ presented on the importance of an accessible environment for blind and partially sighted people. Highlighting issues particularly in active travel.

DJ thanked KJ for the presentation and mentioned an upcoming legislative proposal. KJ and DJ will speak about this separately.

LH asked about receiving a virtual awareness sessions, KJ confirmed that this would be possible.

OJ mentioned work around community mental health services across wales and how they are lacking in good transportation links, he would be keen to help develop these services more accessibly and would like to do awareness raising for people who commission mental health services to ensure that they are accessible.

ZV mentioned having worked in active travel where design practices from abroad are championed and asked KJ whether there are any European countries which are championed at excelling in accessible design. KJ queried what research has been done on disabled people living in these europoean countries to see whether the infrastructure is good for them. Cited good accessible design in Australia with segregated paths.

LW added that there needs to be more actual engagement with people who are in the communities and this isn’t happening enough. RNIB have ‘visibly better spaces’ accreditation which work with healthcare settings to make them more accessible. LW is working on a project about accessible health information and found that 1/3 people surveyed missed a health appointment due to being unable to read the format of their appointment letters.

4. Llysgenhadon Hinsawdd Ieuenctid Cymru / Youth Climate Ambassadors for Wales

ED updated that there has been quite a change in YCA membership and they have drafted ideas for the upcoming year. One of these is recycling – schools aren’t recycling correctly despite new rules for businesses. YCA want to work with these to teach them to recycle. Another idea is a campaign on sewage pollution.

DJ added the challenge is to introduce changes in a way that people are empowered and feel that they are part of the solution rather than having rules imposed on them.

OJ offered to send some of the College’s work around the health and mental health impacts of sewage pollution.

ED raised that it is Great Big Green Week on 16^th June and encouraged CPG members to look out for events or to contact YCA.

GH said The CAE wants to encourage people in climate justice and are using climate champions to educate people on how to create less pollution. DJ suggested he present at an upcoming meeting.

5. Busnes arall / Any other business and date of next meeting

Jayne Bryant MS has had to revoke membership due to new role in Government, Jane Dodds MS, David Rees MS and Mike Hedges MS will become members.

LH Eco-Schools Wales is hosting a conference for young people in Swansea and Bangor Universities later in June. This is following on from the success of the 'Teachers and Pupils against Climate Change' conferences held in Basseleg School last year. Anyone interested in the Q and A panel is encouraged to contact LH.

Date of next meeting tbc.