We have been contacted by Sameya Shazad, who is a final year undergraduate student in the School of Psychology, Cardiff University leading an undergraduate dissertation project. The project is an interview-based study that aims to understand the experiences and needs of carers of people with learning disabilities who experience severe period pain. The aim of the project is to inform needs around the development of educational resources for carers and can therefore provide a strong rational for future funding applications.  Ethical approval has been granted by the School of Psychology Research Ethics Board at Cardiff University [EC.25.02.11.7159G].  Their project supervisor is Dr Sofia Gameiro, lead for Underserved women groups in the Women’s Health Research Wales, a research centre funded by Health and Care Research Wales solely dedicated to eliminate inequalities in the health of women, girls and people assigned female at birth. Severe period pain (SPP) is defined by the NHS as period pain that makes it difficult to do your everyday activities (e.g., think, move, sleep).  SPP affects up to 29% of women, girls, and people assigned female at birth, and is associated with significant negative impact including frequent school or work absenteeism/presenteeism and decreased emotional wellbeing. Symptoms typically start around puberty and can persist across the reproductive lifespan. Sameya is looking to talk to parents/carers/support workers who have experience of caring for women with a learning disability who experience severe period pain. Participation would involve an interview (lasting up to 1 hour) with Sameya and/or with her research supervisor (Dr Sofia Gameiro). The interview will ask questions about experiences caring for women with learning disabilities living with SPP, learning about SPP, and seeking healthcare for SPP.  Participants will be entered into a £20 prize draw as a thank you for their contribution. If you are interested in supporting this research, please get in touch with Sameya by emailing ShazadS@cardiff.ac.uk Please find below the poster and some more information. Participant Information Sheet

The All Wales Forum is Recruiting! We are a small, dynamic charity delivering community-led projects and initiatives that seek to both empower and improve the lives of family carers of people with learning disabilities living across Wales. We are recruiting for a Finance and Governance Coordinator role, please find below some more information about us, the Forum and context to the role, the job description and the application form All Wales Forum Application Form About us – advert for Finance and Governance Coordinator F&G coordinator JD Closing Date: Monday the 16th of March 2026 @ 10.00 am Interview Date for those short-listed: Wednesday the 25th of March 2026 If you have any questions drop us an email at admin@allwalesforum.org.uk Please note, if you have already downloaded the form, we erroneously uploaded an old ‘About us’ document, please download the latest version. Thank you

Call for Extension to UK Government on the ‘ Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’    The All Wales Forum & Disability Wales have jointly called for an extension of the consultation on the proposed changes to welfare reform. We are deeply concerned with the only in-person Wales wide event being held within one week of the deadline of this consultation. This does not allow time for meaningful engagement and to understand how individuals and their families will be impacted by these proposed changes. We echo the concerns outlined by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), who have sent a joint signatory letter to Stephen Timms MP detailing the issues with the consultation events and advocating for an extension. Their letter outlines important points that align with our concerns and can be accessed here: Open letter: #NoVoteWithoutWales – stop disability cuts.  We have written to the DWP urging them to extend the consultation deadline. This request also has the support of the Welsh Government’s Equality and Social Justice Committee whom separately have written to the Secretary of State echoing these concerns and is supported by Sioned Williams MS, Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Learning Disability, Mark Isherwood MS, Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Disability and Hefin David MS.  Given the considerable accessibility barriers, the ongoing scheduling issues, and the widespread anxieties articulated by disabled individuals, their families, caregivers, and elected representatives, we firmly believe that an extension is not only warranted but necessary. It is critical to ensure that this process is carried out in a lawful and inclusive manner.