Community

Hundreds more foster families needed in Wales

Published

11 years ago

February 23, 2015

AT LEAST 550 new foster families are needed across Wales during 2015 to provide s t a b l e , secure and loving homes for record numbers of fostered children, according to figures released today from The Fostering Network.

Each day sees over 4,450 children living with around 3,500 foster families in homes across Wales. With a rising number of children coming into care, and approximately 13 per cent of foster carers retiring or leaving the service last year, there is a need to not only recruit more foster carers but also better utilise the current pool of foster carers. More foster families are particularly needed to provide homes for teenagers, children with disabilities and sibling groups.

Without enough foster families willing and able to offer homes to these groups, some children will find themselves living a long way from family, friends and their school. It could also lead to them being split up from brothers and sisters, or being placed with a foster carer who does not have the right skills and experience to meet their specific needs. These pressures can lead to relationships breaking down, and children having to make regular moves between homes. Some young people will also be living in residential care when fostering has been identified as the best option for them.

Dr Emily Warren, director of The Fostering Network Wales, said: “Fostering can be an incredibly rewarding career and lifestyle choice for those who do come forward, opening their hearts and homes to children and young people who need security and stability.

“Fostering is also a challenging job, and when the match between foster family and child is not right, it becomes even more difficult. A wider pool of foster carers enables fostering services to be able to match the needs of each child more closely with the skills that each foster carer brings, and to find the right home for each child, first time.

“However, as well as recruiting new foster carers, fostering services must look at the foster carers who are currently available to them in their local area. Where existing foster carers have space in their homes, it may be possible to retrain and support them to look after different ages of children with a variety of different needs.

“Children and young people come into care for a wide range of reasons, but all come needing professional, dedicated and compassionate support. Foster carers are remarkable people who open their homes to some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in Wales.”

“We urgently need people who have the right skills and qualities to foster to come forward and make a long lasting positive difference to the life of a child. In particular, foster carers are needed to provide homes for teenagers and children with disabilities, and to help sibling groups stay together.”

During 2015 an additional 550 foster families are needed in Wales, 6,900 in England, 170 in Northern Ireland, and 750 in Scotland.

Details of fostering services and more information about fostering and becoming a foster carer are available from couldyoufoster.org.uk.

Community

£600 reward offered for safe return of missing cat Simba

Published

27 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Appeal for help to find much-loved pet missing from Pembroke area

A FAMILY is appealing for help to trace their missing cat after he disappeared from the The Green area of Llanelli.

Simba has not been seen since Tuesday, January 20, and was last known to be in the Woodbine Terrace and Rocky Park area. His family say his disappearance is out of character, as he is usually food-motivated and regularly returns home.

In a bid to encourage information from the public, the family have increased the reward for Simba’s safe return from £300 to £600.

Simba is microchipped and neutered. His owners are urging anyone who may have seen him, or who has information about his whereabouts, to get in touch as soon as possible.

The family say they would be extremely grateful for any local support in sharing Simba’s details to help bring him home safely.

Anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Charity

Celebrating the impact of the Bluestone Foundation

Published

33 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CHARITIES, volunteers and community groups from across Pembrokeshire gathered at Bluestone National Park Resort on Friday (Feb 6) to celebrate the growing impact of the Bluestone Foundation, which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local causes.

Around eighty guests attended the event, held inside the resort’s Serendome, marking two years of focused community support through the foundation.

Supporters, staff and representatives from partner organisations came together to share success stories and highlight how funding has helped projects tackling environmental issues, wellbeing and social inclusion across the county.

Speakers included Marten Lewis, Chair of the foundation, alongside Mike Slack from Get The Boys a Lift, Barry John of the VC Gallery and Ellen Petts from FRAME, each outlining the difference local backing has made to their work.

Founded in 2010, the Bluestone Foundation was created to channel support from the resort into environmental, economic and social initiatives across Pembrokeshire. It works in partnership with Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services to distribute grants and strengthen grassroots organisations.

In 2025 alone, more than £60,000 was raised and invested into local projects.

Groups supported range from environmental organisations including Sea Trust Wales, BlueGreen Cymru and Greener Growth CIC, to wellbeing initiatives such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift and the No Shame Foundation. Creative and heritage groups including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and the VC Gallery have also benefited.

Organisers said the event was an opportunity not only to reflect on achievements so far, but to strengthen partnerships and encourage further community involvement.

More information about the Bluestone Foundation is available via Bluestone Wales’ website.

Community

Calls for traffic calming in Neyland after car hits house

Published

24 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NEYLAND councillor has called for traffic calming measures in the town where “a terrible tragedy” was avoided by “sheer good luck” after a car recently hit a house wall, the fifth such incident in less than a decade.

At the most recent meeting of Neyland Town Council, residents expressed their concerns at vehicle speeds in a part of the town.

Town council member, and county councillor, Simon Hancock said: “They came to express their concern at speeding cars losing control on the corner where Honeyborough Road leads into Kensington Road. On Sunday afternoon a speeding car mounted the pavement and smashed into the wall of No 43 coming to rest in the middle of the road. Emergency services were on the scene.”

***Cllr Simon Hancock has called for traffic calming measures in Neyland after a recent incident where a car hit a wall. (Image: Cllr Simon Hancock)***

He said images of the incident and its aftermath were shared on social media and to the council.

Following that, Cllr Simon Hancock, who is also the county council’s presiding member, said: “I am extremely concerned by some drivers travelling at excessive speeds at this bend. This is the fifth serious incident in nine years where cars have collided with houses in the terrace.

“Any pedestrians on the pavement at the time could have been killed or seriously injured. I have written to the chief executive, leader and cabinet member [of Pembrokeshire County Council] insisting on road traffic calming measures at this location.

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the police over the incident to determine the cause of the accident before considering what measures the Highway Authority may take.”