Community

Foster Care Fortnight: ‘I worried I was on my own but my foster carer welcomed me back’

Published

10 months ago

May 12, 2025

KYLE was just seven years old when, during the summer holidays, he stayed with his foster carer Gavin for the first time.

In unfamiliar surroundings, he was unable to sleep one night so at about 3am Gavin put a children’s film on for them to watch together, patiently keeping him company through a night of anxiety and worry.

Although he only stayed with Gavin for a few nights on that occasion, that simple act of kindness and compassion stayed with Kyle.

Ten years later, when Kyle’s circumstances changed, Gavin became his foster carer again with this short-term stay quickly becoming permanent.

Now aged 22, Kyle says he considers Gavin to be his dad and has thrived as part of an extended found family of foster “brothers and sisters”.

“When they go into this scenario, young people will be scared and will just think it’s over for them, like I definitely did,” Kyle said. “I felt like there was no support, but there was.

“I don’t call him dad, but whenever I talk about him I’m just like, yeah, he’s my dad. He’s there for any support, emotional, financial, just anything.”

This Foster Care Fortnight, taking place between May 12 and May 25, 2025, the fostering community in the UK is celebrating the power of relationships. In Wales, there are more than 7,000 children in care, with around half as many foster families. Foster Wales is appealing to recruit an additional 800 local authority foster carers by 2028 to address this need.

Kyle said Gavin helped him greatly by listening, giving him options rather than dictating his choices, and providing consistency that continued into adulthood.

With Gavin’s assistance finding the right support for his exams, Kyle left college with a double merit in media studies and went on to begin studying at the University of Salford. But after eight months, like many young people, it became clear to Kyle that the course wasn’t the right choice for him.

“I was worried that once I go off to uni, then when I come back I’ll have to move out and get a place,” Kyle said. “But Gav instantly welcomed me back in and he was like, yeah, you can stay here until you’re ready to move on. It’s fine.”

Kyle said the continuity of a safe home allowed him to find his feet again. He now lives independently and has been successful in finding full time work on the IT service desk at the council. Gavin, and the family of what he calls foster “brothers and sisters”, are still an active part of his life. They live close together, and Kyle regularly visits and is always on hand to help with technical support for younger children’s gaming needs.

“I’m so impressed with Kyle and where he’s at given his start in life,” Gavin said.

“The positive changes he’s made has put him where he is really. It’s the greatest satisfaction of fostering. When it works and they have the sort of life you’d want for yourself and they’re on that path. I don’t think it could be beaten.

“Some people think when you go into fostering you can solve everything. But it’s very much a journey. You need to establish that relationship, that trust, and be that person in their lives that is reliable, does what they say, and that they know they can come back to.”

Alastair Cope, head of Foster Wales, said: “Foster Care Fortnight always offers a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the people who create lasting change in the lives of so many children in Wales.

“Every fostering journey relies on strong, trusting relationships to create the stability within a loving home that all children deserve. Whether between a foster carer and a child, a child with their foster siblings, or between a family and their social worker, these relationships open up new possibilities for a child’s future and help support them into successful independent lives.”

To find out more about becoming a foster carer in Wales visit fosterwales.gov.wales

Community

Charlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Beloved character to greet visitors as Heritage Centre reopens for new season

CHARLIE the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll is coming out of retirement — and back to where it all began.

Visitors to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will be greeted by the much-loved character when the attraction reopens for the new season on Monday (March 30).

It marks a nostalgic return for Charlie, who once performed in the very same building — then the Royal Dockyard Chapel — alongside his original owner, Ernie James, a Pembroke Dock bus company proprietor. Over the years, the duo became a familiar and popular act on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.

Today, Charlie is cared for by Paul Elliott, of Llanreath, who inherited the doll from his father, Fred Elliott — better known locally as magician ‘Mr E’, whose shows delighted audiences for decades.

Charlie has also recently enjoyed a brush with national attention, appearing alongside Paul at a BBC Antiques Roadshow event in Swansea.

The Heritage Centre will offer free entry on opening day, with Charlie and Paul on hand to meet visitors and share stories from a century of entertainment.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

12 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.