THE PEMBROKESHIRE Coast Charitable Trust has received generous support from the Swire Charitable Trust to expand inclusive volunteering opportunities across the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The Pathways project enables a broad range of individuals from local communities to participate in supported outdoor volunteering activities. This initiative prioritises accessibility and inclusivity, offering opportunities for individuals who may not otherwise be able to engage in volunteering. Through tailored activities and the support of experienced lead volunteers, the project provides a safe and welcoming environment for participants to learn new skills and work collaboratively.

Graham Peake, Pathways Project Lead, said: “The Swire Charitable Trust’s support has been instrumental in ensuring that more people can experience the benefits of volunteering while contributing to conservation and heritage projects across the National Park. Through Pathways, we are not only enhancing our natural environment but also fostering a sense of community and belonging.”

In 2024, the Pathways project delivered 86 volunteering sessions, contributing a remarkable 825.5 volunteer days across more than 30 sites in Pembrokeshire. Volunteers took part in a diverse range of practical conservation and heritage tasks. These included community archaeology site work, where volunteers cleared gorse and helped preserve ancient monuments, as well as hedge laying and hedge bank restoration at St Brides. Other activities involved scrub clearance and coppicing at Brynberian and Newport, removing invasive species such as Himalayan balsam, and tree planting to enhance biodiversity.

Volunteers also worked on habitat creation by planting wildflowers to improve meadow ecosystems and undertook path maintenance and access improvements to support public safety and conservation work. The project further engaged in specialist activities, including fungal identification walks at Tŷ Canol National Nature Reserve and the installation of a new notice board at St Govans, Castlemartin.

Pathways has had a profound impact on the local community, providing opportunities for over 30 volunteers to contribute their time and skills. Evaluations conducted between November 2024 and January 2025 highlighted the project’s social, physical, and mental health benefits. Volunteers consistently reported increased well-being, a greater connection to nature, and the satisfaction of giving back to their community.

Mitch Hill, Pathways Project Lead, said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been witnessing the personal growth of our volunteers. Many have gained new skills, increased their confidence, and even transitioned into further volunteering roles, employment, or education.”

In addition to hands-on conservation work, the project provided vital training for lead volunteers, including mental health awareness, first aid, and equality, diversity, and inclusion training. This investment in volunteer development ensures the sustainability and long-term impact of the programme.

As the project grows, Pathways aims to strengthen partnerships with local organisations, including Mind Pembrokeshire and community groups, to support an even more diverse range of volunteers. It will also broaden its impact on nature recovery through collaboration with the National Trust, the Wildlife Trust, and other conservation partners.

Katie Macro, Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, concluded: “We are incredibly grateful to the Swire Charitable Trust for making Pathways possible. Their support has enabled us to reach more people, deliver meaningful conservation work, and create lasting benefits for both the environment and the local community.”

Visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/volunteering to find out more about Pathways and other volunteering opportunities in the National Park.

WALES could be left facing a funding shortfall of up to £65 million due to the way its budget is calculated, trade union UNISON warned on Thursday (Apr 3).

The union says a rise in employer national insurance contributions, set to take effect on Sunday (Apr 6), will see the UK Treasury cover the additional costs for public services in England—but not in Wales.

UNISON is calling on the UK government to “play fair” by reviewing how money is allocated to the devolved nations. It says the Barnett formula—used to distribute public funds—fails to account for the larger size of the public sector in Wales, leaving essential services exposed.

Jess Turner, UNISON Cymru/Wales secretary, said: “Our plea to the UK government is to treat Wales fairly. If public services in England are to be fully covered for the national insurance increase, then those in Wales must be too. That additional cash can only come from Westminster.

“The Treasury is effectively penalising Wales because of the comparatively larger size of its public service workforce.”

According to the union, the shortfall will place even more strain on services already under pressure after years of underfunding.

“Fifteen years of squeezing budgets has placed public services under intolerable strain,” said Ms Turner. “A shortfall of tens of millions of pounds will harm the quality of vital services and heap further pressure on the Welsh workforce, who are already being asked to do more with less.

“More broadly, it’s clear the way Wales is funded within the UK needs to be reviewed.”

A PEMBROKE man has pleaded not guilty to drug-driving following an incident last summer.

Sean Agnew, aged 58, of Vetch Close, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 3) for a further case management hearing.

He is accused of driving a Nissan Qashqai on Hywel Way, Pembroke, on August 1, 2024, while unfit through drugs. It is alleged that a blood test showed a level of Benzoylecgonine — a breakdown product of cocaine — at more than 92 micrograms per litre of blood, exceeding the specified legal limit.

The charge is brought under Section 5A(1)(a) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Agnew entered a not guilty plea on February 4 and has been released on unconditional bail.

He is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 10) at 10:00am for a further case management hearing before District Judge J Layton. The case is expected to last 20 minutes.

Ella Passey appeared for the prosecution on behalf of CPS Wales (South West).