Charity

Panels highlight Father Paul Sartori’s legacy and community impact

Published

1 month ago

December 4, 2024

PANELS installed at Paul Sartori Foundation’s Head Office highlight and celebrate Father Paul Sartori’s legacy and community impact.

Known as Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, the Pembrokeshire-based charity is proud to highlight the installation of a series of information panels at Paul Sartori House, its Head Office. These panels are dedicated to the memory and work of Father Paul Sartori, the inspiration for the charity.

They offer visitors a visual and educational journey through the life of Father Sartori and the extraordinary legacy he left in Pembrokeshire. The installation is part of the charity’s commitment of preserving and sharing the history of Father Sartori’s inspiring work. They were part of the ‘Voices from the Community: Father Paul Sartori’s story from Priest to Hospice Care’ project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This project recorded personal memories and stories from those who knew him, ensuring that his vision and impact on the community were preserved for future generations.

Sandra Dade, the Charity Manager at Paul Sartori, commented, “We are thrilled to have these panels in place at Paul Sartori House. They serve as a powerful reminder of Father Sartori’s enduring influence, and they beautifully complement the work of the project. We hope that both the panels, the resources on The People’s Collection Wales website and the documentation safeguarded at Pembrokeshire Archives allow visitors to have a deeper understanding of Father Sartori’s life and the profound impact he had in Pembrokeshire.”

The panels showcase key moments in Father Sartori’s life, from his early life, education, his ministry background and time as a Parish Priest in Haverfordwest. They mention Father Sartori’s untimely death on 16^th April 1980. The legacy he left and also explain his recognition of how Pembrokeshire lacked any form of hospice care and his vision for hospice care in Pembrokeshire. A vision that led to the creation of the charity, Paul Sartori Foundation. The panels also highlight his character, and how his compassion and leadership was loved by many in the community.

The ‘Voices from the Community…’ project, recorded 64 interviews with people who knew Father Sartori, and was a remarkable success. The interviews are accessible via The People’s Collection Wales website (https://www.peoplescollection.wales/users/108536). Photographs and other materials are available to view at Pembrokeshire Archives. This and the panels all ensure that the rich history of Father Sartori’s work is preserved for future generations to explore.

David Evans, Chair of Trustees for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, said, “Father Sartori’s dream of providing hospice care in Pembrokeshire lives on in the incredible work our charity continues to do today. These panels at Paul Sartori House are an important way of honouring that legacy, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of this project.”

Father Sartori’s vision has inspired many thousands of people over the years, with the charity currently supporting around 400 people annually in Pembrokeshire. The new panels, along with the ongoing preservation of Father Sartori’s personal possessions and documents, will ensure that his story remains a source of inspiration for generations to come.

The panels are now on permanent display at Paul Sartori House, and the charity invites the public to visit and learn more about the life and legacy of Father Paul Sartori.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provide a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of any life-limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, physiotherapy, future care planning and training.

The services provided by the charity enable people in the later stages of any life-limiting illness to be cared for and to die at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear, if that is their wish.

All of the services are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to the generosity of the Pembrokeshire Community.

Further information on the charity and its services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by phoning 01437 763223.

Charity

Thousands of lonely children turning to Childline for help and support

Published

21 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CHILDLINE delivered nearly 5,000 counselling sessions in 2023/24 where loneliness was the main concern, highlighting a growing issue among children and young people in the UK.

Why are children feeling lonely?
Children cited various reasons for loneliness, including moving to a new school or home, parents working long hours, bullying, and feeling excluded after seeing friends having fun on social media.

One 16-year-old boy from Wales shared his struggles with Childline:
“I have depressive episodes that I can’t control. During these episodes, I get really nostalgic, sobbing and wishing I could go back. I get jealous of everyone and feel like all my friends hate me. Christmas is especially hard—I spend the day alone, crying. I just want this weight dragging me down to end.”

Support available from Childline
The NSPCC is urging children to reach out for support when struggling with loneliness. Childline offers confidential help 24/7, both online and via phone, through its 13 bases nationwide.

Additionally, the NSPCC’s Building Connections programme provides an online text befriending service. Designed for young people under 19, it pairs participants with a trained befriender for 11 weeks to help build confidence and manage loneliness.

To make a referral to the Building Connections service, visit https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/services/building-connections.

Tips for children dealing with loneliness

Take part in positive activities: Engage in hobbies like sports, music, or art to boost your mood.
Prioritise self-care: Eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep can improve mental health.
Socialise: Join clubs or reach out to trusted friends to connect with others.
Ask for help: Speak to a trusted adult, teacher, or contact Childline.
Consider Building Connections: Sign up for the NSPCC’s befriending service to gain tools to overcome loneliness.

Advice for adults supporting lonely children

Communicate openly: Encourage children to share their feelings without fear of judgement.
Understand the root cause: Gently explore their emotions and validate their experiences.
Encourage socialising: Suggest hobbies or activities where they can meet peers.
Build confidence: Celebrate achievements and remind children of positive relationships in their lives.
Create a supportive environment: Be open to ongoing conversations about their feelings.

Louise Israel, Childline Team Manager at NSPCC Cymru, emphasised the importance of these services:
“It’s heart-breaking to see so many young people turning to Childline because they feel lonely and isolated. Loneliness can deeply affect mental health, especially in the darker winter months. Childline is here to ensure no child feels they have to face these emotions alone.”

How to contact Childline
Young people can call Childline on 0800 1111 or use the 121 chat feature on the Childline website to access confidential support.

For adults and children alike, these resources offer hope and help in tackling loneliness together.

Charity

Tributes paid to former Tenby RNLI crew member Stuart Fecci

Published

5 days ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TENBY RNLI is mourning the loss of former Shore Crew member Stuart Fecci, who passed away recently. Stuart served aboard the Henry Comber Brown lifeboat until a tragic accident in 1988 resulted in the loss of his hand.

Despite the injury, Stuart remained a dedicated supporter of Tenby RNLI. The Fecci family has deep roots with the station, including Stuart’s son Samuel, who raised over £300 by completing the RNLI’s Mayday Mile walk in 2021.

Deputy Coxswain Jon Lewis, Stuart’s cousin who carries the Fecci name through his mother, paid tribute: “The last time I spoke to him, he greeted me in a packed Tudor Square as the larger-than-life character he was and shouted, ‘Coxswain Lewis!’ before continuing to congratulate me.”

Stuart will be deeply missed by the entire community. The thoughts of everyone at the station are with his wife Sally and his family during this difficult time.

***Stuart Fecci served as a Tenby town councillor – Image Gareth Davies Photography***

Charity

Boxing Day Duck Race raises £2,000 for Wales Air Ambulance

Published

2 weeks ago

December 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE ANNUAL BOXING DAY Duck Race in Lower Fishguard, organised by the Round Table Fishguard & District, proved to be another resounding success this year.

A large crowd gathered by the riverside to watch the vibrant yellow ducks race downstream, with participants and spectators enjoying the festive tradition despite the winter chill.

Thanks to overwhelming community support, the event raised an impressive £2,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, a vital service providing emergency air cover across the region.

The winners of this year’s race were:

1st: Duck 807 – Rachel
2nd: Duck 94 – Glenys Hughes
3rd: Duck 119 – Howard Hughes

In a lighthearted twist, the title of ‘Last Place Duck’ went to Duck 937 – Julia Moffet, earning laughs from the crowd.

A spokesperson for the Round Table Fishguard & District said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who bought ducks, attended the event, or supported us in any way. It’s always a joy to see the community come together for such a great cause.”

The Boxing Day Duck Race continues to be a cherished tradition, blending fun, community spirit, and charity support into one delightful event.