This time last year, Maia Bank was forced to close her beloved toy shop business following the strain of the pandemic. Now, the mum-of-two is single-handedly putting her stock to good use by helping the local community, thanks to The Health Lottery. Maia, 38, from Cardiff has set up a weekly stay and play session where local families can meet and borrow toys in the Grangetown area of the city. Thanks to £17,808 funding raised through The Health Lottery, Maia is able to run an extra…

PENDERYN: SPIRITS OF WALES Penderyn, located in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, has an excellent, multi award-winning Welsh distillery. Several friends became involved in creating a dream – an exceptional distillery, producing fine whiskies and other superb spirits. Resulting in the first Welsh distillery, for over 100 years, their dream became a reality in 2000. A second distillery was opened in Llandudno (North Wales) during May 2021 and a third in Swansea in July 2023. The Penderyn Distillery uses…

Photo credit: Mae Mu  For those of you who simply associate Shrove Tuesday with eating pancakes, keep on reading to become enlightened as to the true meaning of Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent – the forty days leading up to Easter when Christians,  including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics remember the time when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God. During this period, it is traditional to…

  LOVE IS IN THE AIR AS THE SCIENCE DISCOVERY CENTRE WELCOMES ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 18 TO JOIN THEM FOR AFTER HOURS: LOVE ON THE BRAIN If you’re looking for somewhere different to pop the question around Valentine’s Day this month —especially given it’s a leap year — Cardiff’s iconic Science Discovery Centre may well be just what you’re looking for: and as the venue now hosts weddings too, it could be the perfect match for any science-loving…

Data released on Time to Talk Day (1 February) revealed a concerning trend in Wales, where a staggering 68% of people are putting on a ‘brave face’ to avoid talking about their mental health during difficult times. Furthermore, 48% of people in Wales still believe that mental health is a taboo topic. The hesitance to talk about how we really feel is resulting in many people feeling isolated, withdrawn and with worsening mental health. Nationwide poll findings suggest that 54%…

The famous old adage, “You are what you eat” defines how whole foods have a great impact on a person’s health while processed foods have more added chemicals than nutrition. Here we shall discuss the key differences between whole foods and processed foods. This guide is your one-stop solution to get a better understanding of how processed foods harm our bodies while whole foods provide full nourishment. So, let’s start right from the basics and understand their meanings below. What…

Wales has a long list of traditions surrounding celebrating a new year, with “first footing”, Hen Galan and everything in between. The traditions are a way to embrace history, to be thankful for the past year, and, for many, to look forward to a fresh start. Welsh traditions such as Mari Lwyd almost disappeared in the 1900s but have made their way back all over Wales and stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of community and celebration in…

Amazon’s acquisition of MGM in March 2022 paved the way for a reality series spin-off from the James Bond franchise. Titled “007: Road To A Million,” the show features 9 pairs of ordinary individuals vying for a £1,000,000 cash prize. Combining James Bond-style adventures with the unpredictability of reality TV, “007: Road To A Million” offers gripping entertainment for Bond enthusiasts and reality show fans alike. A recent survey conducted by PartyCasino asked 1000 participants from the UK who had…

With the new year upon us, it is an excellent time to organise your; home, finances and future plans. Making sure your family is financially protected could liberate you from the worry of leaving debts behind when you are no longer around. Life insurance is an important part of everyone’s lives. It could provide your loved ones with a lump sum payment after your passing to help replace your income and cover large debts, like a mortgage. This comprehensive guide…

Action for Children frontline workers confirm pressure on struggling families is worse than last Christmas and highlight the desperate choices parents are being forced to make.   Due to the pressures, the public are encouraged to be a Secret Santa for Action for Children to help a vulnerable child.  Dylan and Kiera Dylan lives in mid-Wales with his daughter Kiera (15) who requires round-the-clock care.  Dylan is her sole carer after losing his wife in 2017. The cost-of-living crisis has…