Here is the latest update from Cardiff Council, covering: parks toilets reopen; Sixth Form places available; outdoor spaces with a difference for businesses and organisations to use; Cardiff Dogs Home re-opens, with some changes for dog walkers and those looking to give a dog a home; and Telecare celebrates 30 years of helping people to keep their independence and live at home.

Toilets in Cardiff parks re-open

The majority of council-operated toilets in Cardiff's parks have re-opened, with regular cleaning regimes and social distancing measures in place to ensure public safety.

Council-operated toilets in Victoria Park, Roath Park Pleasure Gardens and Roath Park Lake (East), are now available for the public to use.

Prior to re-opening, these facilities have been cleansed, tested and risk assessed. Signage encouraging social distancing and good hand hygiene has been installed and twice daily cleaning rotas reinstated.

Welsh Government guidance allows indoor toilet facilities to open with appropriate cleaning measures in place and the Council is working with local hospitality businesses, and with FOR Cardiff in the city centre, to encourage bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants that have re-opened to open up their toilet facilities as soon as is practical.

Many council owned-buildings with toilets that are normally accessible to the public remain closed due to Covid-19, however a public toilet is available on the ground floor of Cardiff Market.

The outside toilets within the grounds of Cardiff Castle are open to people using the space there and additional temporary toilet facilities will be provided for customers using the outdoor seating area currently being constructed on Castle Street.

Plans are being developed to re-open publicly accessible toilets in the city's Hubs as soon as possible.

Toilet facilities on the Barrage are expected to open this week, as soon the necessary cleansing, testing and risk assessments have been completed and it is safe to do so.

The non-Council operated toilets in the St David's Shopping Centre and in Mermaid Quay are open for the public to use.

Post 16 provision still available at Sixth Forms across the city

There are a number of places available at sixth forms across the city for September, and pupils completing Year 11 this summer are encouraged to discover the varied range of options available to them.

From Cyber Security and Performing Arts to Environmental Science and Travel & Tourism,  Cardiff's Post 16 provision for the 2020/21 Academic year has a diverse and interesting choice of courses on offer.

In addition, some sixth forms can still accommodate pupils on many of the more traditional subjects such as Mathematics, Law, History and Business Studies.

Read more here:

https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/24452.html

The Dogs Home reopens, with certain changes

Cardiff Dogs Home has re-opened, with some changes for dog walkers and those looking to give a dog a home.

Following the success of their ‘fostering' scheme during lockdown, which saw more than 30 dogs find their forever homes, and the dogs being looked after in the home much more relaxed without people walking around looking at them, the team at Cardiff Dogs Home have made some changes to their rehoming process.

Once you've done some research on the breed, size and age of the dog that might best suit your lifestyle, take a look on the Dogs Home website at the dogs currently available to rehome and decide on the dog you're interested in. Fill in a form and if the team think you're a good match, they'll be in touch to arrange introduction, if that's successful you will be able to foster the dog for two weeks, during which the team will have regular contact with you. After that, if all goes well, the dog will be re-homed with you permanently.

Dog walking will now be have to be booked, ideally online via the website. Appointments will be at 20 minute intervals to avoid people meeting at reception. Due to the limited number of dogs available at the moment, please only book if you are an experienced walker.

Plans are being developed to re-start walking inductions but these are not currently taking place.

Full details on rehoming and dog walking here:https://www.cardiffdogshome.co.uk/covid-19-procedures-at-cardiff-dogs-home/

Telecare Cardiff celebrates 30 years

Telecare Cardiff was originally set up in July 1990 in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government, Health Service and the Council. They have provided 30 years of support, technology enabled care and services to help vulnerable people remain independently in their own homes.

When the service was originally set up as ‘Community Alarm', it had six operators and six mobile wardens. The team now have 16 operators, 12 mobile wardens and 4,733 customers across Cardiff!

Telecare gives customers the support, security and reassurance they need to enable them to live independently in their own homes. Simply by pressing the button on the pendant or response unit customers are connected directly to our friendly team who are able to talk to them through the loudspeaker of the unit and take immediate action, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This could include contacting a family member, carer, emergency services or dispatching our unique first aid trained mobile wardens. Cardiff Council's Meals on Wheels service works in partnership with Cardiff Telecare providing hot nutritious meals 7 days a week.

Telecare Cardiff was re-branded in April 2015 having previously been known as Community Alarm. The re-brand, included a fresh, new website outlining all the products available and the two different monitoring levels the service has. 

Telecare Cardiff has just launched a new ‘Plug and Play' service to customers. This allows the customer to install the equipment without the need of a Telecare officer calling out to the property. Telecare Cardiff understands that not all customers feel comfortable with people entering their homes, especially in the current climate, so to remove any anxiety or apprehension they want customers to be able to install the equipment in the comfort of their own homes with support over the phone if needed.

Well done to everyone who has helped the service over the last 30 years of supporting the residents of Cardiff and their families by keeping customers safe and cared for in their own homes, keep up the good work!

www.telecarecardiff.co.uk