News

£1.7m to support families and individuals facing food poverty

Published

10 seconds ago

December 17, 2024

FAMILIES and individuals across Wales struggling with the cost of food will receive vital support this winter through £1.7m of additional funding from the Welsh Government, it was confirmed this week. It is claimed that his funding will provide help to those most in need and back community projects working to prevent and tackle food poverty in the longer term.

The funding will, according to the Welsh Government:

provide emergency food aid by helping local groups to store and distribute food to people who need it most, while also addressing the underlying causes of food poverty;
support FareShare Cymru by purchasing equipment to store and deliver fresh food during the winter months and running food education activities to help low-income families and individuals manage rising costs; and
strengthen food partnerships in every local authority area in Wales, helping them to address local needs and ensure resources reach those facing the greatest challenges.
The Wales-wide funding will be announced today at Cegin Hedyn community kitchen in Carmarthen. Cegin Hedyn, a Pay What You Can Canteen and Community Kitchen, is part of a network of organisations tackling food poverty, and works with Carmarthenshire Food Partnership, Bwyd Sir Gâr Food.

Bwyd Sir Gâr works closely with groups and initiatives across the region to provide targeted support to those who need it most.

Cegin Hedyn ensures that everyone can have access to fresh, organic, seasonal produce, with produce being grown steps away in their Community Allotment. Bwyd Sir Gâr Food has also been providing vegetables, grown at Bremenda Isaf farm in Llanarthne, to Cegin Hedyn and has been offering mentoring and support to the volunteers at the allotment.

Cegin Hedyn is run by chef Deri Reed. He said: “This funding is a lifeline for communities like ours, ensuring that we can continue to provide fresh, nutritious meals to those who need them most while building a more sustainable and inclusive food system. At Cegin Hedyn, we believe in the power of food to bring people together and create positive change.

“This support will help us expand our reach, grow more organic produce locally, and strengthen the food partnerships that make a real difference in tackling food poverty in Carmarthenshire and beyond.”

Food Sense Wales works closely with Bwyd Sir Gâr and Food Partnerships across Wales to help create sustainable solutions to enable everyone to enjoy healthy and sustainable food.

Katie Palmer from Food Sense Wales said: “By strengthening its support for food partnerships across Wales, the Welsh Government is recognising the importance of building resilience in local food systems – both in terms of diversifying local supply chains, and by building and organising assets and civil society in a way that is unique to the needs of the local community.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: “No one should have to worry about how they’re going to put food on the table. As a government, we are committed to tackling food poverty and ensuring support reaches those who need it most.

“This new £1.7m package of funding will provide both local relief to those struggling with food costs and lay the groundwork for longer-term solutions to prevent food poverty. By supporting emergency aid, food education, and local partnerships, we are addressing this crisis from all angles.

“Local food partnerships are vital in this effort. They work with inspiring projects, like Cegin Hedyn, which not only provides meals for people, but also brings people together and supports the wider community. Their efforts show what can be achieved when local groups and wider networks come together to support those most in need.”

The additional funding builds on the £2.8m the Welsh Government has already allocated to help address food poverty this year, and brings the total to more than £24m invested in this area since 2019.

Charity

Ascona Group donates £10,000 to PATCH charity’s Christmas appeal

Published

3 mins ago

December 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Ascona Group has stepped up to spread festive cheer once again, donating an impressive £10,000 to PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship) for their Christmas 2024 appeal.

The generous contribution will be used to provide toys and festive supplies to children across Pembrokeshire, ensuring they experience the joy of Christmas despite challenging circumstances. PATCH, a Pembrokeshire-based charity supporting families in need, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the ongoing support.

Ascona Group staff also played an active role in the initiative, volunteering their time to help prepare the donated items for delivery. The toys and supplies will be distributed to families next week, adding a touch of magic to the holiday season.

A spokesperson for Ascona Group said: “We are delighted to support PATCH again this Christmas. Our team has worked hard to ensure the donations are ready, and we hope to bring smiles to many children’s faces this festive season.”

PATCH Charity highlighted the vital role of such donations in helping families struggling during the holidays. They described Ascona’s support as a lifeline for many in the community, especially during the festive period.

The delivery of the toys marks another successful partnership between Ascona Group and PATCH, bringing hope and joy to families across Pembrokeshire.

News

Van collision sparks gas leak, causing Narberth road closure

Published

19 mins ago

December 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RUNAWAY van crashed into a gas pipe on Market Street, Narberth, on Sunday afternoon (Dec 15), forcing a road closure and prompting an emergency response.

Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and gas engineers, rushed to the scene shortly after 2:00pm when the unattended vehicle rolled downhill and struck an exterior gas pipe.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “The road remained closed while the vehicle was recovered and the area made safe.”

Crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service worked quickly to contain the leak, while engineers from Wales and West Utilities carried out repairs to the damaged pipe.

Market Street remained closed for several hours as emergency crews ensured the area was safe and cleared the scene.

Health

Protect yourself with a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine as drop-in sessions start

Published

7 hours ago

December 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WITH flu circulating in the community, Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) is encouraging everyone who is eligible to drop-in for their flu and COVID-19 vaccines to help protect themselves this winter.

Flu and COVID-19 viruses can cause serious illness, especially in younger children, clinically vulnerable individuals and older adults that sometimes require hospitalisation.

Vaccination centres will be open, no appointment needed on the 23^rd, 24^th and 27^th December for all people eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccination. This includes children aged 2 (on 31 August 2024) to those in year 11 who can access the nasal flu vaccine at the centres.

Drop in any time between 09.15am and 5.30 pm to your nearest vaccination centre:

Aberaeron (Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre, Vicarage Hill, Aberaeron SA46 0DY)
Llanelli (Unit 2a, Dafen Industrial Estate, Heol Cropin, SA14 8QW)
Neyland (Unit 1 Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE)

The following groups are eligible for vaccination:

Flu vaccination

Children aged two and three years on 31 August 2024
Children in primary school from reception class to year 6 (inclusive)
Children in secondary school from year 7 to year 11 (inclusive)
People aged six months to 64 years in clinical risk groups
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2024)
Pregnant women
Carers aged 16 and over
People aged 6 months to 65 years who live with someone who has a weakened immune system
People with a learning disability
Frontline health and social care workers
All staff working in care homes with regular client contact
Poultry workers at high risk

COVID-19 vaccination

People aged 6 months to 64 years with a long-term health condition (which includes pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system)
Residents in a care home for older adults
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2025)
Unpaid carers
Frontline health and social care workers
Staff working in care homes for older adults

If you have any questions about accessing the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, please phone the health board on 0300 303 8322 option 1 or email [email protected].

If you are unsure if you are eligible for the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, contact the health board on the details above.