It’s been a great few weeks to celebrate our culture and heritage in Newport – something I had the opportunity to raise in with our new First Minister in Plenary last week.

Off the back of the Full Colour Maindee festival last month, I was reminded of the things which can be achieved when community and togetherness are truly prioritised.

The team of artists and organisers at Full Colour Maindee, with the help of Maindee Unlimited, and other voluntary groups, put on a spectacular display of street art in the area, celebrating the community and its diverse and creative population.

Similarly, it was wonderful to see the statue of local suffragette and businesswoman Margaret Haig Thomas, or Lady Rhondda as she is more commonly known as. It was finally unveiled with Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary Jane Hutt on the riverfront this month (pictured), after years of campaigning by many individuals.

I want to congratulate to everyone in the community for making this happen.

With community in mind, I was pleased to be able to see how well the development of the brand new 19 Hills Medical Centre is coming along in Ringland last week.

By the end of this year, this part of Newport will have an all-in-one community medical facility, and their timetable appears to be filling up quickly with a variety of services for the community to access.

The idea is by having everything under one roof, access to healthcare and wellbeing support will be simpler than ever for the local people and surrounding areas making patients’ access to other healthcare professionals for referrals simpler.

Healthcare providers having such immediate access to training and facilities will also allow staff to develop and grow into more well-rounded caregivers.

I am optimistic that this new community-based healthcare approach will be positive for the people who live in Ringland and Alway, allowing them to be treated for common healthcare issues close-to-home, which can be vital for the mental and physical wellbeing.

By adopting this approach, individuals and families will be able to be seen and treated by healthcare professionals that they can develop life-long relationships with, who understand their home-lives, challenges and aspirations, and who can be treated and cared for within their own locality.

Need John’s help or advice? Call 01633 222302 or e-mail john.griffiths@senedd.wales

John Griffiths in the Senedd member for Newport East.