Talk about economic activity and growth often focuses on the bottom line, the black and white facts and figures – rather than the people who are the very foundation of our economy. Last week in the Senedd, I asked the First Minister about empowering our workforce here in Wales in order to unlock our economy and economic potential. I was pleased to hear the First Minister reaffirm plans that any business seeking Welsh Government support will need to pay the real living wage, end exploitative zero-hours contracts and open the door to trade unions. This follows similar calls I have made previously, including in a Senedd debate I led this time last year.

Wales is the only part of the UK that embeds social partnership in law, something I am proud to have taken through government in my previous role as a minister and that puts fair work and workers’ voices front and centre. The Welsh Government will go even further in deepening the link between public funding and fair work, while working closely with the UK Government on its Employment Rights Bill. You can see many of my contributions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn.

I was pleased last week to see that so many young people have signed up for their MyTravelPass, the new scheme that’s helping 16 to 21 year olds travel for just £1 on buses across our community – the latest figures show that 26,000 young people have applied for the pass, a 38% increase since the launch of the scheme in September. I’ve been helping to promote this scheme both in this column and during visits in the constituency, including when I met with Ben Harris, our Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Delyn, at Mold bus station earlier this month.

Schemes like this really do make a difference and help to open up opportunities for young people, as well as support routes like the T8 and the new T51, linking our communities from Wrexham to Rhyl. Last week I also raised with the Welsh Government the need for better digital displays at bus stations to make public transport even more accessible and attractive for everyone. If you would like to find out more or apply for your MyTravelPass, visit https://mytravelpass.tfw.wales.

Last Friday was World Mental Health Day, where we’re reminded of the importance of looking after our mental health and making sure help is there when we need it. This year’s theme was access to services in catastrophes and emergencies, focusing on how vital it is that support remains available, especially in tough times. Here in Wales, the free NHS 111 press 2 service, which has transformed access to support for urgent mental health issues, has received more than 200,000 calls since its launch in December 2022, providing immediate support for people experiencing mental health difficulties.

In my recent Our Home, Our Health survey, it was clear by the responses that many people didn’t feel certain they knew where to go to access mental health services, so I have put together a list of organisations, both national and local, which is available on my website at www.hannahblythyn.cymru/our-community/mental-health-support. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please remember you’re not alone – there are people and organisations ready to listen and help.

Fast Track Cymru – the organisation that works to educate and inform people about HIV – has launched an art competition open to anyone below the age of 25 to submit art in any format including digital or spoken word/performance under the theme ‘create for change: HIV in Wales’. Through art, young people have the chance to explore HIV in a positive, stigma-free way, raising awareness, sharing powerful messages and breaking down barriers. The closing date for entries is November 3 and entries will be judged at the organisation’s conference and an exhibition will take place on December 2 at Fast Track Cymru’s World AIDS Day Senedd reception. There are several awards to be won including a £100 prize for the overall winner – find out more at www.fasttrack.wales/hiv-education-for-all-in-wales.

Finally, last week I dropped in to Boots Pharmacy in Mold to get my flu jab to give me that extra protection this winter – my thanks to the brilliant staff there for looking after me. Community pharmacies and GPs across our corner of North Wales are offering the flu jab to help protect us and our loved ones, so it’s worth getting vaccinated – you can check if you’re eligible for the free jab by visiting https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines.

As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.