Charity
PLANED promoting innovative communities at the Senedd

PLANED have recently (Tuesday 15th October) been able to present their projects and the work undertaken by the team in partnership with communities, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
Sponsored by local Senedd Member, Samuel Kurtz, PLANED was one of ten organisations from across Wales, who successfully bid for the opportunity to have a promotional stand for the day in the main public area of the Senedd Building.
Engaging with Senedd Member, Cabinet Secretaries, and senior civil servants from across Welsh Government, PLANED were able to promote their work within communities across a broad range of sectors and areas of interest ranging from Community Assets & Housing, to Food, Heritage & Tourism, as well as Micro Care Enterprises, Community Buildings and Accredited Training amongst others.
Supporting the Chief Executive of PLANED, Iwan Thomas, as well as two of the senior Coordinators team present to take questions and make connections, Samuel Kurtz MS noted:
“It was great to host PLANED today at the Senedd. The work they do in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to promote community engagement and local economic growth cannot be understated. Especially their work around food vending machines, allowing local produce to be sold locally to communities and tourists.”
Two key projects which were focused on with Senedd Members were the Local Food Partnership, managed by Sue Latham, and Prosiect Cadarnhad, managed by John Ewart. Both found the discussions with policy makers useful, in highlighting the innovative work already being delivered in Pembrokeshire and wider West Wales, that can be a transferable model to other communities across the rest of Wales.
Promoting co-production and sustainable delivery of outputs for communities is key to PLANED’s organisational vision in place since 2021, of “Empowering Communities”. As Chief Executive, Iwan Thomas notes, “Whilst the funding landscape is increasingly challenging, PLANED is finding new innovative ways to support communities in the longer term, and use funding even more effectively than we have before. Having this platform in the heart of Government to showcase the amazing partnership work in communities is very much appreciated.”
“Recent examples of how we have led the support for community purchases of key local assets such as chapels and pubs, in addition to leading the support for the creation of 145 new micro enterprises to support people living in their own homes, are just a small part of the way in which PLANED continues to support communities in different ways that are more sustainable and effective for the longer term.”
Senedd Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire was also present to engage and support during the event at the Senedd, and was keen to note:
“PLANED work in the heart of our local communities in west Wales, helping to empower residents and improve community well-being and resilience and it’s a pleasure to again show my support for their work here in the Senedd”.
Charity
NSPCC Cymru highlights ‘vital work’ of Children’s Service Practitioners

AS PART of Social Work Week, we are celebrating the work of professionals at NSPCC Cymru who work closely with children to keep them safe from harm and neglect.
Staff and volunteers come from a wide range of experience and have often worked in challenging and demanding roles before joining the organisation.
Once such area is social work and the skills and knowledge of this discipline are key to the work of our Children’s Services Practitioners (CSPs).
While people often shy away from talking about child abuse, the reality is that half a million children experience abuse every year. We need to talk about it, and the CSP team at NSPCC Cymru is here to help prevent it happening. We are here to support children and their families when it has happened, to reduce stigma and shame and help promote recovery.
Sophie Dowle is a Children’s Services Practitioner (CSP) based in Cardiff and explains what brought her to NSPCC Cymru a year ago and the vital work her team does.
Sophie said, “I qualified as a social worker in 2018 and worked in Child Protection and Counter Exploitation teams in a local authority children’s services department prior to joining the NSPCC.
“At NSPCC Cymru we work on a range of direct initiatives including a therapeutic service for children and their families and carers following sexual abuse.
“We deliver a service called Pregnancy in Mind which helps expectant parents with or at risk of mild to moderate anxiety or depression, and we are about to deliver a perinatal service that supports vulnerable parents, developing their confidence in parenting and meeting the needs of their baby.”
There are some differences between the kinds of social work support our Children’s Services Practitioners provide and the traditional roles associated with local authority social workers.
Sophie continues, “Local Authority social workers tend to deal with safeguarding risks in the here and now with overall responsibility for the plan of care and support a child needs.
“We do not deliver statutory services and crisis intervention. Our direct services practitioners offer support to prevent the harm in the first place, or support recovery once a child is safe.
“By working with other agencies and partners to help care and support children, we are afforded the time and a reduced case load to work intensively and creatively with young people and their families.
“It was the opportunity to develop my therapeutic skills, and hearing about the Letting the Future In service, which delivers therapeutic work following sexual abuse, that motivated me to join NSPCC Cymru.”
The skills needed for this demanding role include general child-centred social work skills, empathy, good communication, listening and analytical skills as well as creativity and decision-making skills. Sophie says she appreciates the support and training the organisation provides.
She added, “I love the time and creativity I am given to work with children and their families. The work is very rewarding. I have worked with so many wonderful young people and have learnt things from them all. It is a privilege to be a part of their journey.
“In Social Work Week it’s important to spread the message about the vital role social work plays in safeguarding and supporting people and an opportunity to promote the work our Children’s Services Practitioners do at NSPCC Cymru to keep children and young people safe.”
NSPCC Cymru’s Direct Services team manager, Jess Hiscock said; “We value the diverse experiences and knowledge our practitioners bring to the role. Sophie and her practitioner colleagues’ passion and commitment to ensuring babies, children, young people and their families are supported and safe contributes to so many improved outcomes for those with whom we work.”
To find out more about Social Care Week visit Social Work Week 2025 | Social Care Wales
For more about the NSPCC’s services visit NSPCC | The UK children’s charity | NSPCC
Charity
Paul Sartori receives further support from The James Tudor Foundation

PAUL SARTORI HOSPIC AT HOME, a Pembrokeshire-based charity, has secured a £10,000 grant from The James Tudor Foundation to support its end-of-life care services. The funding will contribute to the charity’s Registered Nursing Team, which provides essential palliative care across the county.
The annual cost of delivering this service exceeds £200,000.
Paul Sartori takes a holistic approach to end-of-life care, offering home nursing, complementary therapies, bereavement support, physiotherapy, future care planning, and training. Its team delivers thousands of hours of respite care each year, ensuring patients receive support in the comfort of their homes.
The charity’s Registered Nurses play a vital role in bridging gaps in local palliative care. Their flexible and responsive approach ensures that patients’ wishes to remain at home are honoured. They conduct assessments, facilitate referrals, collaborate with healthcare providers, and offer expert advice. The nurses also assist with symptom management, medication administration, and operate the charity’s 24/7 on-call service, providing immediate assistance in emergencies. Additionally, they coordinate fast-track personal care packages to help patients return home from hospital with adequate support.
“The presence of a Paul Sartori Registered Nurse at home brings immense reassurance to families during a challenging time,” said Laura Hugman, Clinical Team Manager at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. “Our nurses uphold the highest standards of compassionate care, prioritising dignity and quality of life. Having a Registered Nurse available at night means that patients and families can receive prompt assistance without delays.”
Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer at Paul Sartori, expressed gratitude for the continued support: “We are incredibly thankful to The James Tudor Foundation for their generosity. Their funding helps us maintain our nursing service, which is a lifeline for many families facing end-of-life care challenges. Our nurses make a significant impact, alleviating stress and providing much-needed comfort.”
The James Tudor Foundation focuses on the relief of human sickness, supporting organisations that provide direct care to individuals affected by physical or mental health issues. Their commitment to improving end-of-life support aligns with Paul Sartori Hospice at Home’s mission to provide compassionate and dignified care in Pembrokeshire’s rural communities.
“The Foundation is pleased to support Paul Sartori Hospice at Home once again in delivering this crucial service,” said a spokesperson for The James Tudor Foundation. “Ensuring individuals receive practical and emotional support at the end of life is vital, and we are impressed by the charity’s unwavering dedication. We look forward to hearing more about the impact of their work.”
Business
Explore ‘Great Ponds in Art: From Dürer to Monet’ at Twr y Felin Hotel

TWR Y FELIN Hotel is pleased to announce an enlightening art talk titled “Great Ponds in Art: From Dürer to Monet,” presented by esteemed art historian and Ashmolean Museum lecturer, Juliet Heslewood. This event will take place on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, in support of the Nature Recovery Action Plan for The Havens, with 100% of profits donated to the cause.
Attendees will embark on a visual journey through art history, exploring how artists from Albrecht Dürer to Claude Monet have depicted ponds in their work. Juliet Heslewood will provide insights into the artists’ observations and techniques, offering a fresh perspective on Monet’s iconic water lily paintings.

Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025
- Time: 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm
- Location: Twr y Felin Hotel, Ffordd Caerfai, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6QT
- Price: £8 per person (100% of profits go to the Nature Recovery Action Plan for The Havens)

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available through the Eventbrite website (eventbrite.co.uk)
For more information about this event and other offerings from Twr y Felin Hotel, please visit the hotel’s official website.

Twr y Felin Hotel is Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, offering luxurious accommodation and fine dining in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Renowned for its outstanding service and stunning coastal location, the hotel is a multi-award-winning destination for travellers seeking tranquillity and sophistication.
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