CHARITIES in Wales are receiving support from dairy cooperative Arla to help those in need increase their intake of dairy.

As part of a nationwide initiative to ensure fresh dairy provision in charities, local schemes including Sirhowy Community Centre, Canolfan y Bont Food Bank and Cwtch Angels Abergavenny will benefit from the donation of fully-stocked-and-sponsored fridges from Arla.

This comes after insights from the charity FareShare estimated 450,000 people who rely on its schemes do not have access to fresh dairy, with many forced to decline donations due to a lack of storage facilities.

In a recent survey of its charity partners, almost all (96%) said fresh dairy was in high demand and that they weren’t able to store enough on site to meet the needs of users, while all agreed that not having enough fridge space prevented them from always offering the most nutritious products to the people they support.

To mark the start of this initiative and raise awareness of this issue, Arla has also launched the world’s first free milk ATM machine in London. The innovative milk dispensing machine appeared in North London earlier this week and allowed people to receive fresh milk at the push of a button.

Jonathan Dixon, Senior Vice President at Arla said: “We are on a mission to enhance the accessibility of nutritious dairy products for communities across the UK. Too many charities have to turn away fresh dairy donations because they have nowhere to store it, but by working with FareShare we hope to overcome that.”

Ben Ashmore, Head of External Affairs at FareShare, said: “Our charities report that the demand for nutritious dairy products in Wales is increasing, but many lack the infrastructure to store refrigerated items safely. Thanks to Arla’s generous commitment to donating fridges to charities across the UK, many of these organisations can now offer a more varied range of nutritious food.

“This donation helps strengthen the capacity of our charity network, enabling them to support their communities better. We are incredibly grateful to Arla for their ongoing support in helping us turn surplus food into a force for good, reducing waste, and creating healthier, more resilient communities.”

Research from Arla found that across the UK, half of Brits couldn’t imagine not having access to milk on a daily basis, with 76 per cent consuming it at least a few times a week.

More than a third (35 per cent) admitted they’d struggle if they didn’t have access to milk, with 53 per cent of the opinion that everyone should be able to easily get dairy based foods.

However, 62 per cent weren’t aware that not all food banks have fridges and therefore can’t store fresh dairy products.

Nichola Ludlam-Raine, Specialist Dietitian, told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “As a registered dietitian, I strongly support initiatives like this that provide increased access to dairy products.

“A 200ml glass of milk provides protein, as well as the minerals calcium and iodine too, so regular consumption can help ensure we meet our daily needs for these particular nutrients.

“Having access to fresh milk can also encourage healthier eating habits, such as making time for breakfast. A nutritious breakfast might include wholegrain cereal, milk, and fruit, providing a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fibre to start the day well.”

Arla has been a dedicated and longstanding charity partner with FareShare for over eight years, continuing to support the valuable work they do across the country. During this time, the equivalent of more than 10 million meals have been diverted to help feed and support those in need across the UK.

The UK’s leading end of life charity Marie Curie is calling on all budding bakers in Pembrokeshire to help raise some much-kneaded dough by signing up to its autumn baking fundraiser.

Whether you’re a cupcake king, a queen of tarts or more of a baking late-bloomer, Marie Curie has got choux covered with everything you need to host your own bake-off challenge, cupcake decorating competition, cake sale or pie-eating contest.

When signing up, Marie Curie will send all budding bakers a special recipe pack with autumnal bakes from Melissa Hemsley, the Hairy Bikers and Fay Ripley, to help inspire people to get creative in the kitchen. Bakers will also get everything they need to help make their fundraiser a success – from posters and social media graphics to invitations and fundraising in-memory cards.

Actor, author and presenter, Fay Ripley, who is supporting the campaign by sharing her own banana and chocolate loaf recipe, said: “I find myself yelling “use your loaf!” at everyone and anyone so now I’ve used my loaf – my banana and chocolate loaf in fact! – to support Marie Curie with their important work, delivering expert care at the end of life. I promise I won’t yell at you, but I hope everyone gets baking with me!”

Claire Phillips, Head of Community Fundraising in Wales, said:“Whether you’re crazy about chocolate cake or partial to pumpkin pie, this autumn Marie Curie is making raising funds for expert end of life care a piece of cake.

“As the nights draw in, baking and sharing sweet treats can be a fun (and tasty!) way to help Marie Curie continue to provide expert care and support at the end of life, free from unnecessary pain, so people can have the dignity and respect they deserve, whatever their illness. 

“It’s up to you how you fundraise – you could ask friends, family or work colleagues to bake up a storm with you or you could go it alone and enjoy arranging your own bake sale. However you choose to fundraise, we’ll support you throughout – and you will be helping ensure that Marie Curie is there for more people, and their loved ones, when they need it most.

Marie Curie is dependent on fundraising and public donations. In your area Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals provide expert advice and also the emotional and practical support you want – at home, in hospital or over the phone.

As well as providing hospice care and hospice at home care right across the UK, Marie Curie also has a free Information and Support line which is available to anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from and those close to them. It offers practical and emotional support on everything from symptom management and day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support.  

To find out more and sign up for Marie Curie’s autumn baking challenge, visit mariecurie.org.uk/autumn or contact us by email at [email protected] or telephone 029 2042 6068.

SIXTY per cent of all counselling sessions delivered to young people in Wales by the NSPCC’s Childline service last year were about mental health and wellbeing.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, Childline delivered 5,545 counselling sessions to young people known to be from Wales, with 3,342 of these about mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

Across the UK, Childline delivered 99,179 counselling sessions about mental and emotional health and wellbeing, equating to 272 sessions a day.

When discussing their mental health, some of the top concerns that were raised were anxiety, stress, low mood, depression and loneliness.

To mark World Mental Health Day (October 10^th), the NSPCC is highlighting these figures to show the scale of children struggling with their mental health and to remind them that Childline is a safe place where they can seek help and support.

A 16-year-old girl from Wales who contacted Childline said: “I’m convinced that the world hates me, like no one cares about me.

“I tried telling a friend how I felt, and they only wanted to talk about their own problems; I felt even worse after that. Thank you for letting me talk.”

It is important for children and young people get help with their mental health at an early stage – through schools or in the local community – rather than waiting until they reach crisis point.

That is why NSPCC Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government to ensure that children, young people and their families can access appropriate mental health support within their own local authority area.

The charity also wants to see investment in parent-infant relationship services, to ensure support for babies and young children who have experienced trauma and abuse.

Any child or young person who is struggling can also contact Childline up to the age of 19 and have a confidential conversation with a counsellor over the phone or online, at any time of the day.

Shaun Friel, Director of Childline, said: “At Childline, we know that growing up comes with challenges which can impact the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

“This is why it is essential that all young people know where they can go for support and the tools available to them that can help them process their emotions, such as resources provided by Childline.

“Whether a young person is feeling anxious, lonely, or depressed, we want to remind all young people this World Mental Health Day that they don’t need to cope alone and our friendly and welcoming counsellors at Childline are here for them.”

The Childline website also provides support to young people on the advice pages or resources, such as Art Box, which is a space for children to write or draw about their feelings. Children can also use the service’s Calm Zone, an area of the website with lots of tools and mechanisms to help young people cope.

Drawing or writing can be a helpful way for children to process their emotions, as it can enable them to express themselves and make sense of their situation.

A 10-year-old child who contacted Childline said: “My little sister is in hospital a lot; it makes me worry and I get upset about it. I have found drawing and colouring helps, I enjoy that, especially butterflies and nature.”

With this in mind, Lidl GB in partnership with Crayola is supporting the NSPCC in their mission to be there for every child needing support with their mental health by launching the Crayola Cosmic Creations and Fantastic Fantasy Activity Tube. The activity tubes – of which £1 per item sold will be donated to Childline – are designed to give children a creative outlet for their emotions using colouring pencils, colouring rolls, foil art posters and stickers, all with vibrant designs.

Charlie Day, CSR Team Manager at Lidl GB, said: “Supporting young people’s mental health matters hugely to our colleagues and customers. That’s why at Lidl GB we’re committed to building on the over £9 million we’ve donated to the NSPCC since 2017, however we can.

“We’re delighted to sell activity tubes in Lidl GB stores that provide children with a calming activity and help them to express their feelings. Co-created by Crayola and Hunter Price International, the product will raise vital funds for Childline, and with the contact details on-pack, will help ensure young people have somewhere to turn when they’re ready to open up.”

Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via 1-2-1 chat on www.childline.org.uk.