Winter of Wellbeing
Free, fun activities for 16-24 year olds living in Neath Port Talbot
Covid Vaccine Newsletter from Swansea Bay University Health Board
Date: January 7, 2022
Edition number: 32
We now have wide-ranging availability for anyone aged 12+ who needs a 1st, 2nd or booster vaccine, subject to eligibility, including drop-ins and self-bookable slots. Details below in latest news.
8s and those under 18 in an at-risk group need to wait 28 days from the date of the positive test before coming in for vaccination. It’s 12 weeks for those under 18.
Let’s get on with the rest of the updates.
*Vaccine figures can now be found at the end of the newsletter*
With Omicron spreading fast, it’s vital you come forward and take up the offer.
Missed or will miss a vaccine appointment because you’ve tested positive for Covid? There’s no need to cancel or reschedule if you can’t make an appointment we’ve sent you. We have systems in place to make sure slots and vaccines aren’t wasted.
Just use our drop-in or online booking service when you’re ready.
Latest news
How to get your 1st, 2nd or booster dose for ages 12+.
1st, 2nd or booster DROP IN ages 12+ – Bay Mass Vaccination Centre, near Amazon, SA1 8QB. Drop in anytime between 9am and 9pm, seven days a week. Vaccination subject to eligibility. Pregnant women are welcome and will be fast tracked if they make themselves known to security at the entrance. Go to this page for directions and details of free bus services to the Bay MVC from Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.
1st, 2nd or booster BOOK ONLINE ages 12+ – The Princess Royal Theatre, Civic Centre, Port Talbot, SA13 1PJ. NO DROP INS. Vaccination subject to eligibility. Go to this page to book a slot for vaccination at The Princess Royal Theatre.
The form is titled boosters, but you can book whatever dose you need. BOOSTERS ONLY at community pharmacies for 18+. FILL IN FORM – LINK BELOW. You can choose to have your booster at one of 20 community pharmacies across our area. More community pharmacies are joining the list all the time. This service was previously only open to those on the housebound list who were able to get to a local pharmacy. We’ve now opened it up to everybody eligible for a booster who is 18 or over. Ideal for those who would like to get their booster in a quieter place. Go to this page to register your interest and select the nearest or most convenient pharmacy for you. We will then contact you with an appointment.
You can also ask these pharmacies to add you to a reserve list, which they hold. A list of the pharmacies taking part is on the form, link above.
Eligibility and dosing schedules:
2nd doses
If you had your 1st dose a while ago and didn’t get around to having your 2nd, there is no need to restart the course. Come in for your second dose as soon as possible.
12-17 not at risk: At least a 12-week gap between 1st and 2nd.
18+: At least an 8-week gap between 1st and 2nd.
Booster: There must be a gap of 13 weeks or more between a 2nd or 3rd primary dose and a booster.
We will continue to schedule people in for appointments as they become eligible and would ask that you try to keep these appointments if possible. But the options set out above are easy and convenient alternatives.
Dedicated drop-in, no-obligation sessions for pregnant women
Dedicated drop-in sessions are now available for pregnant women who are yet to receive their 1st, 2nd or booster Covid vaccines.
Sessions will be held at the Bay Mass Vaccination Centre between 9am and 1pm this Saturday, January 8th, Sunday the 9th and Saturday, January 15th and Sunday the 16th.
Staff will be available to answer any questions and there is no obligation to have the vaccine.
Those attending are asked to bring their All-Wales Maternity Record.
If childcare is an issue, you can bring young children along with you.
We advise you to keep any vaccine appointment you receive in the meantime, if you can.
Pregnant women who catch coronavirus are at more risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.
Vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing coronavirus in pregnancy and are safe for you and your baby.
Temporary closure of Gorseinon MVC
Canolfan Gorseinon Centre will temporarily close next week. Those with appointments for Gorseinon will be contacted and redirected to the Bay MVC or community pharmacies.
The closure will allow us to put extra staff out into the community to increase the rate at which we’re boosting the housebound.
Margam MVC has now closed
Our MVC at The Orangery, Margam Park, has now closed as the building has been returned to Neath Port Talbot Council.
Our operation has relocated just a few miles away to The Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot.
We’d like to give huge thanks to the council for letting us use the beautiful Orangery for a year, and for the use of the theatre.
Latest Covid vaccination figures
Please note: Figures correct as of 12.45pm on Friday, January 7th. These figures are for the Swansea Bay University Health Board area, not the whole of Wales.
1st dose: 300,402
2nd dose: 276,345
3rd dose (for the immunosuppressed): 6,576
Booster dose: 193,020 (70% of the population has been boosted.)
Running total (1, 2, 3 and booster doses): 776,343
That’s all for this week. Many thanks for reading.
Information Regarding a Temporary Resolven Post Office
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Snow in the Vale of Neath
Light snow on the Vale of Neath Mountains
A sprinkling of snow on the Gnoll Park Neath.
Taken 05/January2022
Mike Davies RDN Photographer
A Skulk of Foxes Spotted Locally
I took the car and had a short walk over Neath Mountain.. I could see flashes of colour but I had to be on tip toes not to disturb what ever could it be, and to my amazement it was a “Skulk” of foxes.
i have never seen anything quite like it but it made my day
A group of foxes is called a “Skulk.” The word skulk comes from a Scandinavian word that means to wait, lurk, or move invisibly
Mike Davies –RDN Photographer
EDITOR—Mike has done a lot of “waiting, lurking and moving invisibly” himelf over the years , capturing superb images for RDN.
Happy New Year from RDN
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Message from County Councillor Dean Lewis
I have attached some phone numbers to share with your readers,
Have a wonderful Christmas and a better New Year,
Stay safe
Kind regards
Dean
Festive Lights in the Resolven Area in December 2021
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
FROM YOUR RDN TEAM
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Hugh Lewis
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Carol Singing with Salvation Army Band
Skewen Salvation Army Band and nearly 200 villagers gathered outside Sardis last night, They joined together to sing carols and create a great Christmas atmosphere, It was a night to remember with a great feeling of the community coming together.
REPORT BY NATASHA WILLIAMS
Santa’s On His Way
Our RDN photographer Mike Davies was there to capture a special Christmas moment for us
Public Transport arrangements due to Road Closure at Commercial Rd Resolven from Monday, 20 Dec 2021 – 1 Jan 2022
As a result of the road closure at Commercial Road Resolven on Monday the 20th December the First Cymru Local Service bus X7 will not be able to serve Resolven Neath Road down through Clyne and Tonna Hospital. We have therefore arranged for a Council’s Community Services bus to operate this route along the B4434 between Resolven Neath Rd near Church Hall and The Whittington Arms in Tonna whilst the X7 is diverted down the A465 from John St Resolven to Tonna.
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Due to the above road Closure the X7 local bus service will only operate from Glynneath, Cwmgwrach to John Street Resolven, then divert down the dual carriageway A465, into Tonna, Llantwit and Neath.
The journey from Neath to Glynneath will depart from Neath, Llantwit and divert off at Tonna onto the A465 to John Street Resolven and onto Cwmgwrach and Glynneath.
A shuttle bus is being organised for those living in Resolven (Neath Road) through to Tonna.
Note: not all X7 services will be supported by the shuttle bus. Only those identified below:
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Resolven (Neath Road) to Neath Shuttle.
Passengers travelling from Glynneath and Cwmgwrach to Neath can catch the X7 through to Neath. Passengers from Resolven (Neath Road), Clyne, Tonna Hospital will need to catch Council Shuttle bus between the Church Hall bus stop, Resolven and Whittington Arms, Tonna.
Note: not all X7 services will be supported by the shuttle bus. Only those identified below:
Shuttle bus Departure times from Resolven Neath Road, near Church Hall bus stop: Passengers to disembark at Whittington Arms Bus stop Tonna and catch X7 into Neath. First Cymru Driver must wait here for shuttle bus.
| Neath Road Resolven (Depart) | 8.29 | 10.29 | 12.29 | 14.29 | 16.29 |
| Whittington Arms Tonna (Arrive) | 8.46N | 10.46N | 12.46N | 14.46N | 16.46N |
N – connects with X7 service to Neath Victoria Gardens
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Neath to Resolven (Neath Road) Shuttle.
Passengers travelling from Neath to Glynneath and Cwmgwrach and John St Resolven to stay on X7. Passengers travelling to Tonna Hospital, Clyne and Resolven Neath Road to transfer at Whittington Arms Tonna onto Council Shuttle bus.
Note: not all X7 services will be supported by the shuttle bus. Only those identified below:
Shuttle bus to wait for First Cymru X7 from Neath depart Whittington approx.:
| Whittington Arms Tonna (Depart) | 9.25R | 11.25R | 13.25R | 15.25R | 17.25R |
| Neath Road Resolven (Arrive) | 9.42 | 11.42 | 13.42 | 15.42 | 17.42N |
R – Connects with X7 service from Neath Victoria Gardens
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Unfortunately due to the X7 timetable working with two buses, we are only able to meet every other X7 service. Please note this reduced service is only between Resolven Neath Road and Tonna Hospital. Glynneath, Blaengwrach and Tonna (from the Whittington) are not affected and will have the full X7 service operating to and from Neath.
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