Controversy on AMs websites

Blogging has been light as I am trying to set up my new website and blog ( with the great help of webs wonder of course). Had I known that today there would be uproar following an email regarding guidelines on AMs websites which are publicly funded, I may just have given up trying to set them up at all! I am now a little unclear as to what I can and can't put up on my website, and whether or not being 'political' will be detrimental to my being able to show what work I do at the Assembly on said website! Hmmm

I had actually intended to keep my blog and website separate, but I know that some AMs incorporate both. I suspect that there will be wider discussion on this via the Assembly's commission, as it has created some uproar amongst Assembly Members ( or those of us who actually use websites and blogs on a regular basis, at least) If there is consultation with AMs then this will create some clarity on the issue, at least. It was the fact that most of us didn't know anything about what the guidelines were, or where they had come from that was the main issue. Many press releases that we write as AMs are political, and either attack other political parties or make reference to a party political stance. I don't really want to be stopped from posting such things on my main website, as it gives the impression that we are being restricted and that we are not conveying our stance on certain issues. If a politician can't be political, then there is a problem!!

A relatively quiet day at the Assembly today. I enjoy the Mental Health LCO committees that take place every Tuesday morning. Today we took evidence from RCN and the Law Society amongst others. I also attended the launch of the Kidney Wales campaign which is urging people to sign the organ donor register. It has been a hugely successful campaign, and many people spoke at the event who have had organ transplants themselves- the true champions of the cause.

Ymweliad Gofal Cymru visit

Fe wnes i ymweld a gwasanaeth Gofal Cymru yn Jersey Marine heddiw er mwyn gweld ei gwasanaethau yn y gymuned, ac er mwyn siarad am eu profiadau yn gweithio gyda pobl sydd a iechyd meddwl yn yr ardal. Mae'n bwysig mod i'n cwrdd a phobl yn y sector hwn, yn enwedig nawr fy mod i ar y pwyllgor sydd yn scriwtineiddio LCO Jonathan Morgan ar wasanaethau iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru. Roedd y gweithwyr a'r rheiny sy'n byddio o'r wasanaeth yn gyfeillgar iawn, ac llawn pasiwn am ei waith yn helpu pobl a iechyd meddwl i ffeindio tai fforddiadwy, a thrwy helpu nhw i geisio am fudd-daliadau. Rwyf yn gobeithio gallu cymryd rhan mewn mwy o'i ddigwyddiadau, ac yn bwriadu ymuno a rhai o'r gweithwyr wrth ei waith pob dydd.

...............................................................

Today I visited Gofal Cymru's Jersey Marine service to discuss their work with people with mental health in the area, and to discuss their experiences in this field. It is important for me to visit those who help people who suffer from mental health in Wales, especially now that I am sitting on Jonathan Morgan's LCO committee which will look at provision for mental health in Wales. The workers at Gofal Cymru, and service users were passionate about the role that Gofal Cymru plays in helping people with mental illnessess to access services- specifically with regards to tenancy support, and benefits. I hope to continue to support Gofal Cymru in the area, and will hopefully take up the chance to shadow one of the workers in the near future.