Here's your Friday update, covering: it's a triple success for Cardiff Council in the latest Stonewall Index; details of the work to create a new Betty Campbell mural; Ely and Caerau Community Day.

Triple success for Cardiff Council in latest Stonewall Index

The 2023 Stonewall Index announced yesterday has shown the largest rise in Cardiff Council's overall score, making it the highest ranked local authority in Wales and in the UK.

This impressive performance has seen Cardiff Council scoop three accolades awarded by the charity: Stonewall Gold Award Employer; Top 100 Stonewall Employer; and Stonewall Highly Commended Network Group, in recognition of the work of the local authority's LGBT+ Employee Equality Network.

Following an extensive assessment of the council's work over the past 12 months, Stonewall has given a score of 109 points, up from 82.5 points in 2022. The 35thplace in the rankings is a rise of 78 places on the previous year, when the local authority was placed 113th. Cardiff Council is now placed 2ndin the Government and Regulator sector, and 10thin the Public Sector overall.

Stonewall's Top 100 Employers 2023 listrecognises exceptional employers who are committed to supporting their LGBTQ+ staff and customers. Cardiff Council was praised for its work creating a workplace where LGBTQ+ employees can bring their full selves to work. The local authority joins a number of construction, legal, health, finance and education firms who made the annual Top 100 list of LGBTQ+ inclusive employers.

Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equality, Cllr Julie Sangani, said: "The fantastic performance of Cardiff Council in this year's Stonewall Index is a real testament to the enormous efforts of staff from across the organisation and the role of senior leadership.

"Our Stronger, Fairer, Greener vision for Cardiff published last year makes a clear commitment for us to build on our Stonewall Gold Status award as part of our commitment toLGBTQ+ inclusivity, aiming to become a Stonewall top 100 employer and the highest ranked local authority in Wales in the Stonewall Index.

"I am delighted to be able to say that we have achieved that commitment, and more. As a Council, not only have we been awarded Gold-status once again, named in the top 100, and the highest ranked local authority in Wales, but we are also the highest ranked local authority in the UK.  Plus, Stonewall has recognised the joint working across the local authority with ‘Highly Commended Network Group', a well-deserved endorsement for our LGBT+ Employee Equality Network, made up of employees from across the Council's services. These are all great achievements, and we are determined to ensure that Cardiff Council continues to be an inclusive place to work for years to come."

Read morehere

Details of the work to create a new Betty Campbell mural

A giant mural of Betty Campbell MBE is taking shape at Mount Stuart Primary School in Butetown, after children from the school wanted to honour Wales's first black headteacher.

Betty became headteacher at Mount Stuart Primary School in the 1970's and pioneered the teaching of black history and culture at her school, which she put on the school's curriculum decades before black history is set to be taught in all Welsh schools.

The new mural pays tribute to her life and is a reminder of her legacy.

Ms Shubnam Aziz, teacher at the school, said: "The pupils are very proud of Betty Campbell, she was a pioneer in multi-cultural education and diversity and a founder of Black History Month.

"The children have learned about her legacy and being agents of change, they asked for this.

"Her legacy lives on at Mount Stuart and we are proud of her and how she dedicated her life to the school."

Ms Aziz said she met Betty Campbell herself when she was a student teacher and now, Mrs Campbell's granddaughter, Rachel Clarke, delivers anti-racism training at the primary school, highlighting the head teacher's ongoing impact.

Artist Bradley Rmer who painted the iconic ‘My City, My Shirt' has been commissioned by Cardiff University to paint the mural.

You can see pictures of how the mural is coming onhere

Ely and Caerau Community Day

On Tuesday 21 February, during the half term break there will be a Community Day at Western Leisure Centre on Caerau Lane from 1-4pm.

The event is aimed at 11-20 year olds who can take part in:

• Football
• Gym activities
• Smoothie Blender Bike
• CV writing
• VR headsets
• DJing & music
• Nutrition and wrap-making ... and much more!​​​​​​​

Plus, a host of organisations will be there offering services and support including:

• Cardiff Youth Service teams: Digital, Post 16, and AIT!
• Cardiff City Football Academy
• ACE
• The Hub
• Princes' Trust
• The Fire Service
• Better Western Leisure Centre

No need to book, just turn up. We look forward to seeing you there!