Teulu Wellbeing will offer free and reduced-cost sessions to families facing anxiety, bereavement, trauma and other emotional challenges

CHILDREN and young people across Pembrokeshire will be able to access free and subsidised play therapy following a National Lottery Community Fund award.

Teulu Wellbeing & Child Therapy CIC says the funding will help remove financial barriers for families who may otherwise struggle to access specialist therapeutic support.

The project will support children experiencing anxiety, bereavement, trauma, family change, emotional difficulties and other challenges affecting their mental health and wellbeing.

Teulu Wellbeing was founded by qualified play therapists Beth Job, Harriet Carr and Jackie Burns with the aim of making early therapeutic intervention available to children regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.

The Pembrokeshire-based community interest company works with children, parents, carers, schools and other professionals to help young people build resilience, confidence and emotional wellbeing.

Play therapy uses play as a way for children to communicate feelings, process difficult experiences and develop healthier coping strategies in a safe and supportive environment.

A spokesperson for Teulu Wellbeing said: “We know that many families are facing increasing pressures, and accessing mental health support can often feel out of reach.

“Thanks to National Lottery funding, we are able to remove financial barriers and offer children the opportunity to receive specialist therapeutic support when they need it most.

“Our vision is simple: every child deserves the chance to feel safe, heard and understood.

“This funding means we can reach more children at the earliest opportunity and provide support that can make a lifelong difference for children, young people and their families.”

The organisation hopes the scheme will improve children’s emotional wellbeing, strengthen family relationships and reduce inequalities in access to mental health support across Pembrokeshire.

Families are being encouraged to contact Teulu Wellbeing to enquire about funded or subsidised sessions.

Fully funded places will be limited and subject to an eligibility assessment to ensure support reaches children and families with the greatest need.

Reduced-cost sessions will also be available to families who do not meet the criteria for fully funded therapy.

Teulu Wellbeing thanked National Lottery players for making the project possible.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing an explosion before flames spread into dry vegetation on the wooded coastline

FIREFIGHTERS have responded to a blaze on the coastline near Saundersfoot Harbour this evening, Sunday (Jul 26).

Smoke could be seen rising from the wooded area around Glen Beach, to the west of the harbour, as crews made their way to the scene.

Pictures supplied to The Herald show a fire engine accessing the area along a narrow track, while a visible pocket of flames continued to burn among vegetation close to the shoreline.

One eyewitness claimed that a barbecue had been taking place on the beach before an explosion was heard and the fire began spreading up the cliff in the direction of Rhodewood. That account has not yet been officially confirmed.

Two fire appliances were reported to be in attendance, with residents praising the speed of the emergency response.

The ground across Pembrokeshire remains exceptionally dry, increasing the risk of vegetation fires spreading rapidly.

There have been no confirmed reports of injuries.

The Herald has approached Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service for further information. No official incident statement was visible on the service’s online newsroom when checked.

Pictures: Karen Morey

Court heard the notice required accumulated dog faeces to be removed and prohibited abusive or threatening behaviour towards residents and housing officers

A STEYNTON man has been ordered to pay more than £1,100 after repeatedly breaching a community protection notice relating to dog mess and alleged anti-social behaviour.

Dameon Thorne, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, was found guilty in his absence of three offences when the case was heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23.

The court heard that a community protection notice had been issued requiring Thorne to clear all dog faeces from the garden of his home and ensure that further fouling was removed promptly and not allowed to accumulate.

The notice also prohibited the use of abusive or offensive language towards residents or visitors to Plas Peregrine, as well as abusive or threatening verbal or written communications towards officers from housing association ateb.

Thorne was found to have breached the notice on April 28, May 19 and May 20 this year.

Magistrates imposed a £440 fine for the first offence, with no separate penalties imposed for the remaining two breaches.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £500 and a £175 victim services surcharge.

The total amount owed to the court is £1,115, which must be paid by August 20.