News

Mind Cymru secures funding for perinatal mental health project

Published

13 years ago

November 20, 2013

MIND CYMRU has announced £145,000 grant funding from the Welsh Government for a twoyear perinatal mental health project targeting women in Pembrokeshire, and across Wales.

The project will raise awareness of perinatal mental health and the support available to ensure the general public and health and social care professionals better understand the problems women can face.

Alan Briscoe, the Welsh mental health charity, Mind Cymru’s Training and Consultancy Manager, said: “Mental ill health during pregnancy and early motherhood is a serious issue with potentially lifelong consequences for the mental health and wellbeing of women and their families.

“Pregnancy and early motherhood should be a happy and exciting time but for too many women this is sadly not the case. Expectant and new mums can be very vulnerable, but are often overlooked and not given appropriate help early enough. It was with this in mind that Mind Cymru developed the new perinatal mental health project.

“Our aim is to not only increase the number of women who seek early support but to also ensure support is available when needed. To do this we will work with a broad range of partners within communities and the voluntary and health sectors targeting women across Wales, including those living in rural areas and from BME and refugee backgrounds.”

Chris Coe, Regional Director for Wales for Farm Community Network, one of the organisations involved in the project, said: “Perinatal mental health problems affect women across Wales. People in rural areas can feel more isolated than those in larger towns and cities and find it harder to access the help and support they may need. I am therefore delighted to be involved with this project on behalf of the Farm Community Network.”

Two kinds of perinatal mental health training will also be developed and rolled out as part of the project. Alan explained: “The first will be aimed at health and social care professionals to help increase recognition of the early signs of perinatal mental health problems. This will increase opportunities for early intervention, resulting in improved support and better outcomes for those involved.

“The second will focus on helping to increase the resilience of women from at risk groups. This will allow those who take part in the workshops to learn skills that will have a long lasting impact on their personal health and the wellbeing of their families.”

Laura Jane, a mother of two, experienced mental health problems following complications during pregnancy. She said: “My pregnancies certainly weren’t easy. My problems probably started about 16 weeks into my first pregnancy and continued until after the birth of my second child. During this time I had a lot of physical health problems including intense pain and sickness, which had an effect on my mental health.

“As someone who experienced severe depression from my twentieth week of pregnancy, this project cannot come soon enough. I believe I would have really benefitted from resilience training.

“I also believe improving general awareness and recognition of signs and breaking down the stigma associated with perinatal mental health will certainly benefit women and families for years to come.”

Mark Williams’ wife suffered severe postnatal depression, which spurred him on to create Fathers Reaching Out, a charity to support men whose wives and partners experience postnatal depression. He said: “People struggling with perinatal mental health problems shouldn’t have to struggle in silence. This project is well overdue and will make a big change to the lives of many families across Wales.”

Mind Cymru is also looking for women who have experienced perinatal mental health problems to get directly involved with the project by sharing their story and help shape the content of project information and resources.

Allan added: “We’d like to offer women the chance to share their story by helping them to create their own digital story. Those who would like to get involved will be given training and support to create their story. We’re also asking women to help shape the content of the project’s information resources to ensure they are as useful and accessible as possible. We are especially keen to hear from Welsh speakers and women whose first language is neither Welsh nor English.”

Entertainment

Free waterfront cinema screening to celebrate start of school holidays

Published

15 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FAMILIES are being invited to celebrate the start of the school holidays with a free outdoor screening of Disney-Pixar favourite Finding Nemo at Milford Waterfront.

The Torch Theatre will launch its 2026 Sunset Cinema season at Mackerel Quay on Friday, July 17, with the marina and Milford Haven Waterway providing the backdrop.

Sponsored by Milford Waterfront, the family screening will be shown on the Torch Theatre’s new outdoor LED cinema screen. Gates will open at 1pm, with the film beginning at 2.30pm.

Admission is free, although tickets should be booked in advance through the Torch Theatre.

The entertainment will continue into the evening with a screening of the 1980s classic Back to the Future at 7pm.

Tickets for the evening film can also be purchased through the Torch Theatre website. Audiences are encouraged to arrive from 6pm and bring their own chairs and blankets.

A selection of food and drink vendors will be available throughout the afternoon and evening.

Lucy Wonnacott, Head of Communications and Marketing at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Summer starts here. We’re delighted to kick off the Torch Theatre’s 2026 Sunset Cinema season and the school holidays with a free waterside screening of Finding Nemo.

“Then, as the sun goes down, film fans can buy tickets to join us for the ultimate time-travelling adventure, Back to the Future.

“There’s something special about watching a great film by the water, and we’re looking forward to welcoming families, friends and visitors for a day of cinema, community and summer memories at Milford Waterfront.”

Chelsey Gillard, from the Torch Theatre, added: “We’re incredibly pleased to be partnering with Milford Waterfront to offer this special Sunset Cinema screening completely free for our community.

“Watching Finding Nemo on Mackerel Quay is going to be absolutely magical. Bring a deckchair, gather the family and join Nemo, Dory and Marlin for an unforgettable adventure on the big screen.

“Let’s just hope Bruce the shark doesn’t decide to make an appearance. What a fantastic way to celebrate the end of term and kick off the summer holidays.”

Tickets for both screenings should be booked in advance through the Torch Theatre booking office.

Further details about events taking place at Milford Waterfront this summer can be found on the Milford Waterfront website.

Photo caption: Families can enjoy a free outdoor screening of Finding Nemo at Milford Waterfront on Friday, July 17.

Health

One in three Welsh adults self-medicate for anxiety or stress, survey suggests

Published

15 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WALES has recorded the highest rate of self-medication for anxiety and stress of any UK region, according to a new healthcare survey.

The STADA Health Report 2026 found that 31 per cent of adults surveyed in Wales said they self-medicated to manage anxiety or stress.

That was almost six percentage points above the UK average of 25.2 per cent.

The report also found comparatively low levels of trust in artificial intelligence for healthcare, alongside concerns about access to services, ageing and the amount of health information people are expected to navigate.

Just 38.5 per cent of Welsh respondents said they would trust AI to make a health diagnosis, the lowest rate recorded among the UK regions surveyed and well below the national average of 52.3 per cent.

Fewer than half, 42.4 per cent, said they would consider having a health consultation using AI, compared with 49.5 per cent across the UK.

Satisfaction with the public healthcare system was also lower in Wales. Some 57.9 per cent of Welsh respondents said they were satisfied, compared with a UK average of 65.1 per cent.

The findings form part of an international study commissioned by pharmaceutical manufacturer STADA Thornton & Ross and carried out by market research company Human8 Consulting.

A total of 2,001 adults were surveyed in the UK during February and March 2026, as part of a wider study involving 19,514 respondents across 20 countries. The company has not stated in the press material how many of the UK participants were based in Wales.

Concerns about ageing and access to care

More than two-thirds of Welsh respondents, 66.8 per cent, said they feared becoming dependent on care as they grew older.

That compared with a UK average of 54.3 per cent.

More than half of those surveyed in Wales, 55.4 per cent, also said they felt overwhelmed by the amount of health information available, against 47.7 per cent nationally.

The report’s authors said the findings suggested that some people were increasingly relying on self-management when they felt unable to access timely professional support.

However, the term “self-medication” can cover a range of behaviours, including the use of non-prescription medicines, supplements or other substances without direct advice from a healthcare professional.

Craig Shaw, general manager for STADA UK, said: “When one in three adults say they are self-medicating for anxiety or stress, it suggests many people are looking for practical ways to manage their wellbeing, but may not always feel they have access to the support they need at the right time.

“While trust in AI health tools is lower in Wales than elsewhere in the UK, the data also reinforces the enduring importance of trusted, face-to-face healthcare.

“Community pharmacists are uniquely placed to provide accessible advice, reassurance and guidance, helping people make informed decisions about managing their health and knowing when additional support is needed.”

STADA Thornton & Ross manufactures healthcare products including Covonia, Cetraben, Hedrin, Savlon and Zoflora, as well as generic and specialist medicines.

Anyone experiencing anxiety or stress is advised to speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional before taking medication that has not been prescribed for them.

Entertainment

Ashmole & Co to sponsor Wales YFC dance competition at Royal Welsh

Published

16 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ASHMOLE & CO, one of mid and west Wales’ largest bilingual accountancy firms, is delighted to be supporting Wales YFC by sponsoring its dance competition at this month’s Royal Welsh Show.

The firm has worked closely with the Welsh farming community since it was established in 1897 and remains deeply committed to the agricultural sector.

Many of Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff are past or present members of Wales YFC and have benefited personally and professionally from their involvement with the organisation.

Supporting the next generation of farmers and rural leaders is therefore of great importance to the firm.

The Royal Welsh Show is one of the highlights of the year for YFC members, with competitions including shearing, dancing, stock judging and flower arranging.

The dance competition sponsored by Ashmole & Co will take place on the main YFC stage on Tuesday, July 21, from 1pm.

Ceri Llwyd, a partner at Ashmole & Co’s Llandovery and Llandeilo offices, said: “As the auditor of Wales YFC, we understand the importance of this bilingual rural youth organisation in helping young people become successful farmers, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

“It has been an honour to work with Wales YFC over many years. We have developed an excellent working relationship, and I very much hope this will continue for many years to come.

“We would like to wish everyone competing at the Royal Welsh Show the very best of luck and hope they enjoy the tremendous experience.

“I will be there on Tuesday to watch the competition and show my support.”

Wales YFC is a vibrant organisation that encourages young people to take responsibility and play an active role in their communities while developing their skills through a wide range of member-led programmes and activities.

The organisation has more than 5,000 members aged between 10 and 28, as well as thousands of supporters, volunteers, parents and friends.

Mared Rand Jones, chief executive of Wales YFC, said: “The Royal Welsh Show is the pinnacle of the year for YFC members, and we look forward to seeing them once again representing their counties and competing in a wide variety of competitions.

“Wales YFC will be showcasing the very best of its membership, and the public will be entertained throughout the four days of the show.

“We thank Ashmole & Co for its tremendous support. As a charity, we depend on generous sponsorship to provide activities and competitions for our members.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Wales YFC Centre during the show.”

The 2026 Royal Welsh Show will take place from Monday, July 20, to Thursday, July 23.

Widely regarded as one of the leading events in the British agricultural calendar, the show will feature four days of livestock and equine competitions, forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink, alongside a packed daily programme of entertainment, attractions and displays.