5. 90-second Statements

– in the Senedd at 4:01 pm on 16 September 2020.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 4:01, 16 September 2020

(Translated)

Therefore, our next item is the 90-second statements. The first statement is from Jack Sargeant.

Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 4:02, 16 September 2020

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Last Thursday, 10 September, was World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide has a deep detrimental impact on families and on communities that last a lifetime. The facts about suicide are stark: in 2018, 6,507 people died in the UK from suicide, with men being three times more likely to die by suicide than women. This year, to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, I worked with Connah's Quay Nomads to get the message out. This year's theme was working together to prevent suicide, and I am incredibly proud of the Nomads, and I'm incredibly proud, for the record, Llywydd, of becoming club ambassador very recently. I hope that the video we made together will reach someone out there who needs to hear that it's okay to not be okay, and help is out there. Now, Llywydd and Members, the video is pinned to the top of my social media feeds, so please consider helping others by sharing. Llywydd, there is more to do and there is no doubt that Governments need to do more. But we all have a role to play in preventing suicide. So, as I said at the start, World Suicide Prevention Day is held annually on 10 September, but let's make a commitment today here in this Welsh Parliament, in this Senedd, that World Suicide Prevention Day is 365 days a year, and we all work together to prevent suicide.

Photo of Helen Mary Jones Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru 4:03, 16 September 2020

It was my privilege last week to visit, with my colleague Adam Price, a wonderful Llanelli-based organisation, CYCA—formerly the Carmarthenshire Youth and Children's Association, now Connecting Youth, Children and Adults. I have known of and supported CYCA's work for almost 20 years, and it was really inspiring to see how they've gone from strength to strength supporting children, young people and families in these challenging times, and this year, they celebrate their fortieth birthday. It would be easier to list what CYCA doesn't do in the field than what they do, such is the breadth of their work. They run nurseries and youth groups, education and training courses, they provide counselling and individual support, and support for families. We were particularly impressed with the stories of two young mothers who, through CYCA, had not only received support with the challenges of isolation and family life, but had also been able to get back into education; one starts her training as a midwife this week. And we were struck, too, by an innovative social prescribing scheme where GPs refer children and young people experiencing distress to CYCA. The team then work with the whole family, identifying support needs and providing whatever is needed—counselling, parenting support, support at school—and this support lasts as long as the children and family need it. It's already proving very successful, with young people's well-being greatly enhanced. One service user said to me many years ago, 'The thing about CYCA is that they never give up on you'. And they don't. CYCA never gives up on a child, a young person, a vulnerable adult or a family. We are lucky to have them in our town, our county and our community. Pen-blwydd hapus iawn, CYCA. I'm looking forward to seeing what you get up to in the next 40 years.

Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 4:05, 16 September 2020

This week we commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a week in which the Royal Air Force fought against the odds for the very survival of our country and our way of life. Outnumbered by four to one by the Luftwaffe, the bravery and the skill of our airmen demonstrated that it was possible to defeat a Nazi invasion. Their success in sending the Nazis packing was an important moment in the war, both strategically and psychologically. Had the battle been lost, Britain would have fallen and the counteroffensive, which started on these shores and turned the tide of the war, would not have been possible. So, 80 years on, we remember Churchill's few, the almost 3,000 airmen from Britain, the Commonwealth and across the world who fought in the skies with courage and determination during what was a long, hot summer. Wales played an important role in the Battle of Britain: at RAF Hawarden pilots were trained to fly spitfires; RAF Pembrey operated as a fighter command station from which Spitfires and Hurricanes flew; and of the 67 Welsh airmen that fought, 17 paid the ultimate sacrifice. So, 80 years on, we salute these heroes and thank God for their incredible achievements. 

Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 4:06, 16 September 2020

(Translated)

Thank you for those statements. We will now take a short break.

(Translated)

Plenary was suspended at 16:07.

(Translated)

The Senedd reconvened at 16:22, with the Deputy Presiding Officer in the Chair.