AS PART of my work as an Assembly Member I like to get out and see for myself the fantastic work that is being done to transform and improve life in Wales.

I would like to mention therefore two visits that I made recently.

The first was to the Alacrity Foundation in Newport.

Alacrity is an educational charity providing an applied education in entrepreneurship that empowers graduates to create and accelerate their own start-up companies.

Its mission is to mentor and train graduates to create the next generation of hi-tech companies based in Wales by providing the skills and knowledge required to run a profitable technology start-up.

I would like to thank Alacrity’s chief executive, Dr Wil Williams, for his welcome and for a fascinating briefing on how new technology will transform the Welsh economy over the next few years.

We are facing an economic revolution in Wales and we have to ensure we are ready to make the most of the opportunities this will bring.

Alacrity is at the forefront of this by training the next generation of entrepreneurs with the skills required to run the companies that will provide the jobs we will need in the future.

I congratulate Dr Williams, his team and the private benefactors who help fund this charity for the fantastic work they are doing in helping to secure our economic future.

My second visit was to the Rutherford Cancer Centre in Newport which is the only centre in the UK at present treating cancer using Proton Beam Therapy.

Proton Beam Therapy kills cancer cells by using pencil beam scanning that allows the treatment to be delivered to the exact shape of the target area.

Unlike conventional radiotherapy this precise targeting spares healthy tissues beyond the tumour. This allows harder to reach tumours and those close to sensitive healthy tissues to be treated.

Proton Beam Therapy is particularly beneficial to treat children with cancer as it avoids some of the long term health consequences associated with radiotherapy.

Services offered at the centre are available to NHS patients as well as insured private and fee paying patients.

It was fascinating to hear how Proton Beam Therapy can treat tumours without the damaging side effects of conventional radiotherapy.

My thanks go to Mike Moran, chief executive officer, and his team for their warm welcome and hospitality in facilitating this very enjoyable and informative visit.