Community

Substance abuse in Pembrokeshire

Published

12 years ago

November 20, 2014

SUBSTANCE misuse and abuse is a common problem affecting young adults across the globe, and Pembrokeshire is no different. Substance abuse is a patterned use of a narcotic which is consumed by the user in a method and amount that can prove more harmful to themselves and others. Substance abuse in not necessarily limited to specific types of drug and can cover a multitude of different drugs and drug-related substances including: alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamines, barbiturates, opiates and solvents.

Many young adults fall into substance abuse for numerous reasons, many do it for experimental purposes, a phase that they may be going through where the idea excites or interests them. However, a lot of people use substances as a way of trying to cope with difficult or upsetting situations or events in their lives. However, this is often counterproductive as the substance misuse then becomes an additional, much more complex problem. Substance abuse can also stem from peer pressure, particularly amongst teenagers and people in their early twenties.

This misuse can lead to a surfeit of problems, not just for users but also for their families and friends. Some of these problems may include financial woes, mental deterioration, relationship breakdowns, arrest, psychological dependence and even death. Pembrokeshire County Council propose to tackle the problems of substance abuse amongst the county’s youth by way of their Pembrokeshire Adult Substance Misuse Services, which offer support to individuals, and their families, who are affected by substance misuse.

The service provides a helpline and referral system to help people through any kind of substance abuse. The service is a commendable one and also works in conjunction with Dyfed Young Persons Substance Misuse Service and Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline, as well as West Wales Substance Misuse Team and PRISM – a drug and alcohol advisory service covering mid and West Wales with the idea of promoting health, wellbeing and positive change. One of the primary issues in Pembrokeshire that could be attributed to the issue of substance misuse amongst young adults is that there is very little for them to do in terms of activity or entertainment.

There needs to be growth and expansion in the way of entertainment facilities in the Pembrokeshire area – Haverfordwest Skate Park has proven a great success since its inception and is proof that investment can yield a positive outcome. However, this aside there has been precious little else of note for young people in the county. This is further compounded by the scarcity of public transportation and the remote location of the county from entertainment and leisure facilities. A combination of these factors has led to many young people in the area becoming bored and not being able to go anywhere.

Consequently, for many of them experimenting with drugs recreationally provides some form of entertainment, particularly if many of their peers are doing the same. Another symptom of the boredom can be petty crime, which is exacerbated by substance abuse, presenting a self-perpetuating cycle of destructive behaviour. Whilst it is important to educate young people in the area about the dangers of substance abuse (particularly if they are pregnant or around children) it is also pertinent to provide resources of activity and entertainment to keep young adults in Pembrokeshire fulfilled and interested, which in turn will go a long way towards curbing their impulse for petty crime and recreational substance abuse.

Community

New women’s support hub opens at Parc Dewi Sant

Published

14 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WOMEN across the Dyfed-Powys area are set to benefit from improved access to specialist support following the opening of a new Women’s Centre Hub at Parc Dewi Sant.

Operated by The Nelson Trust, the hub forms part of the continued development of trauma-informed services for women experiencing multiple disadvantage.

It provides a safe and supportive environment where women can access practical advice, guidance and specialist help to address the challenges they face.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has worked alongside The Nelson Trust and partners from the Local Criminal Justice Board to support the development of the facility.

The project forms part of the board’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for women throughout the Dyfed-Powys area.

The hub was officially opened on Friday, July 3, bringing together organisations involved in delivering support and recognising the partnership work that helped establish the new service.

Peer support will also play an important role, with volunteers drawing on their own lived experiences to help women facing similar circumstances.

Referrals to the Dyfed-Powys service are currently made through the Community Rehabilitation Service via probation. The hub is not presently accepting self-referrals.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Women experiencing multiple disadvantage deserve access to the right support at the right time.

“By working closely with our partners, we can help ensure that women across our communities are able to access the specialist services they need to address the challenges they face and build safer, more positive futures.

“This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable members of our communities.”

Community

Green Flag flies at Manorbier Community Garden for first time

Published

14 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Volunteer-run garden recognised among record number of award-winning green spaces across Wales

THE DEDICATION of local residents has secured Manorbier Community Garden its first prestigious Green Flag Community Award.

Around 50 people gathered at the garden to celebrate the achievement with food and refreshments before watching the Green Flag being raised.

The award was announced by Keep Wales Tidy as part of the 2026 Green Flag Awards, which recognise the best-managed parks and green spaces across Wales.

A record 330 Welsh sites have met the standards required to fly a Green Flag this year. Of these, 93 received full Green Flag Award status, while 237 volunteer-run spaces were presented with Green Flag Community Awards.

Manorbier Community Garden was recognised for its environmental work, welcoming visitor facilities and strong level of community involvement.

Green Flag Community Awards celebrate high-quality spaces managed largely by volunteers, including community gardens, local nature reserves and other valued neighbourhood sites.

Wales has now secured more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country taking part in the scheme for the third consecutive year. The total has risen from 223 last year to 237 in 2026.

Work on Manorbier Community Garden began in April 2024, transforming an area of scrubland into a flourishing community space in little more than two years.

Led by local couple Ollie and Sian Cromwell, volunteers have built raised beds using repurposed materials and filled them with vegetables, flowers and other plants donated by residents.

Everything is grown organically, without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and produce from the garden is available for the community to share.

The site also includes a secure chicken enclosure housing six hens, a children’s mud kitchen and spaces where residents can meet, play and enjoy the outdoors.

Pick-a-Pumpkin events have also been organised for local children.

Keep Wales Tidy supported the project by providing food-growing and orchard packages, a metal tool shed and a small polytunnel. Volunteers have since constructed a larger polytunnel using donated materials.

Sian Cromwell said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received the Green Flag Community Award. It means so much to our community and celebrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision.

“Just over two years ago, this was simply scrubland. Today, it is a thriving and welcoming space, rich in biodiversity and bursting with life.

“There are fresh vegetables for everyone to share, flowers, chickens, a mud kitchen for children and space for people to play, meet and connect.

“The garden belongs to the whole community. We are incredibly proud of how far we have come and warmly invite everyone to play a part in its sustainable future.”

The Green Flag Award scheme was established 30 years ago and now recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in more than 20 countries around the world.

In Wales, the awards are administered by Keep Wales Tidy.

Community

Young players make their move as Pembrokeshire hosts annual chess fixture

Published

15 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTEEN young chess players put their skills to the test when Pembrokeshire Chess Club welcomed visitors from Castell Nedd to Steynton for their annual summer fixture.

The match, held on Tuesday, July 21, saw players compete across four rounds, with each given 20 minutes on the clock.

Despite the start of the school holidays, the Royal Welsh Show and several late absences, organisers were delighted with the turnout and the high standard of chess on display.

The games were closely contested, particularly on the leading boards, with several decided by only the smallest of margins. Coaches said one of the main lessons from the day was the importance of taking time to consider each move rather than rushing.

Castell Nedd’s Advik Ram produced an impressive unbeaten performance. Pembrokeshire’s Harry Harling held him to a draw in one game before narrowly losing a second encounter during a tightly fought endgame.

Aarush Ram and Jakob Josh-Wright also performed strongly for the visitors.

For Pembrokeshire, Henry Malone and Emily Thomas each secured three points. Jozef Othen and Osian Griffiths collected two-and-a-half points apiece, while Sebastian Kummer finished with two points.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club said it was encouraging to see the standard of play continuing to improve each year and thanked Castell Nedd for making the journey west, with special thanks to Hywel Griffiths for helping to organise the visit.

Home advantage once again proved important, although the club said the greatest benefit was the opportunity for every player to gain experience against new opponents.

Pembrokeshire also recently played a friendly against the newly reformed Narberth Chess Club, giving its adult and junior members an opportunity to compete against different players. A return visit to Steynton is now being planned.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club, which has changed its name during its history, recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its formation.

The club will resume its regular meetings ahead of the new season in September. It welcomes adults and juniors of all abilities, from complete beginners to players interested in friendly or competitive matches.

Anyone interested in joining can message the Pembrokeshire Chess Club Facebook page or contact Martin Jones on 07884 384131.

Pembrokeshire team: Harry Harling, Jozef Othen, Sebastian Kummer, Osian Griffiths, Emily Thomas and Henry Malone.

Castell Nedd team: Advik Ram, Aarush Ram, Jakob Josh-Wright, Virat Nagari, William O’Connor, Oscar Purcell, Ethan Tirukoti, Misha Nigari and Cae Aubrey.