News

Government’s ‘Back to Work’ schemes failing

Published

10 years ago

December 30, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive
of Mind: “These schemes are not
appropriate for people with mental
health problems.”

THE MENTAL health charity, Mind, has called for all people with mental health problems to be taken off mainstream Government backto- work schemes and moved onto a specialist programme. Research from the mental health charity claims they have found that support provided through the Work Programme and Jobcentre Plus is damaging people’s health, and making them feel less able to work than when they started.

At the same time, these schemes, they say, are ineffective for people with mental health problems, as they quote a figure of only 5 per cent of people that have actually been helped into work. In addition to this, figures for Preseli Pembrokeshire reveal that, in a three year period, no one with mental health problems on the Work Programme was helped back into work. Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said: “Just five per cent of people with mental health problems are being helped into work, while the vast majority tell us their health has worsened and they feel less able to work as a result of being on these schemes.

“It’s perverse that programmes which are supposed to help those who are unwell and struggling to get into work are having the opposite effect, damaging their health.” He continued: “These schemes are not appropriate for people with mental health problems. If someone is out of work because of depression and anxiety, simply asking them to attend a CV writing course is a waste of time and money, as it doesn’t address the real problems they are facing.

“Forcing people to engage in these activities, and cutting their benefits if they struggle to do so, is inappropriate and counter-productive. This approach assumes people don’t want to work and the only way to motivate them is to withdraw financial support, which only causes greater anxiety and stress, and makes returning to work less likely.” Mr Farmer expressed the opinion that everyone out of work due to their mental health problem needs to be placed onto new, locally commissioned schemes, which reflect individual and local needs.

He added: “Such a scheme would take a personalised, tailored approach which really understands and addresses the complex nature of mental health problems and how they can impact someone’s ability to find and keep a job.” The Herald spoke with a representative from Mind in Pembrokeshire, who have been involved in just such a local scheme.

A spokesperson said: “The Creating Opportunities and Skills Team (COAST) scheme that was funded by the Council did get people back into work. That was run in conjunction with people like ourselves and Frame, which finished in the early part of this year. “People that were on a work program couldn’t be on COAST which we were using, because they wouldn’t fund the two things. People wanted to enrol on our COAST projects, and do the courses, but couldn’t because they were on a Work Programme or Work Choice.

“COAST had a huge range of courses; emotional well being, anger management, bricklaying, motor mechanics, etc. If people came to us they could gain funding through COAST but not if they were on the Back to Work scheme”. They went on to question whether the Government schemes even offered effective back to work courses, such as those that could give them experience of job interviews or just what to wear at these interviews. They said that they had got many people into work through the COAST scheme.

Community

Tenby Coaster returns for summer season

Published

4 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Open-top double-decker back on scenic Pembrokeshire route from Sunday

PEMBROKESHIRE’S popular open-top bus service is set to return to the roads this weekend, offering stunning views of the county’s coastline throughout the summer.

The Tenby Coaster, now in its fourth year of service, resumes its route between Tenby and Saundersfoot on Sunday (May 25), following a brief appearance over Easter.

The eye-catching blue and yellow double-decker, operated by First Bus, was the first of its kind to run in Pembrokeshire since the 1990s and has since become a firm favourite with both visitors and locals.

Each day, the bus travels from its Haverfordwest depot to the route’s starting point in Tenby, passing key attractions such as Carew Castle and Manor Wildlife Park—making it possible to enjoy an extended journey for those catching it early or late in the day.

Passengers can hop aboard the Tenby Coaster from the stop by the town walls in Tenby, with First Bus promising “breathtaking views and a scenic descent into Saundersfoot”.

The service will operate daily until September 6, with hop-on, hop-off tickets available for those wanting to explore along the way. Fares match those of other local services, with singles starting at £1.60, returns from £3.04, and group day passes for up to five people available for £17.50.

Contactless payment is accepted via the Tap On Tap Off system, and both Welsh Concessionary Travel Cards and mytravelpass cards are valid on the route.

More information is available at the First Cymru website.

News

Bid to build 12 houses near Pembrokeshire school

Published

6 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a housing scheme of 12 homes near a Pembrokeshire village school, which includes an affordable housing contribution of £30,000 and a new school footpath, have been submitted.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest-based Carew Castle Estates, through agent Harries Planning Design Management seeks permission for a housing development of 12 three-bed homes on land south of Sageston County Primary School, Sageston.

The application site comprises of the old school paddock in the centre of Sageston.

A supporting statement says: “This application seeks full approval for 12 detached residential units, with an adoptable access road off the highway. The proposed dwelling mix will comprise four house types, all with three bedrooms, with house type A providing slightly smaller units and house type D providing a one-and-a half-storey dwelling.”

It says an expected five per cent contribution to affordable housing would be met through a commuted sum of £30,519, secured by a Section 106 legal agreement.

It adds: “The proposal also includes a school footpath, with the land gifted to the school. The footpath will allow access to the school and will be controlled by electronic gates. This footpath has been designed in communication with the school governors to ensure that is required.

“We believe this footpath will provide positive community benefits and will ensure that the existing footpaths in the area link directly to the school. The footpath will be bound with anti-climb fencing and significant evergreen hedging to provide ample screening between the dwellings and the path. The footpath will be constructed by the school.”

It concludes: “This proposal is considered to offer an acceptable form of residential development in line with the local development policies. The proposal is respectful of its context and offers a range of tenure options for the market.”

The scheme will be considered by county planners at a later date.

News

Emergency services respond to person in water at Milford Haven

Published

5 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EMERGENCY services were called to Milford Haven in the early hours of Friday morning (May 24) after reports of a person in difficulty in the water near Smokehouse Quay.

The incident was reported at around 12:50am, with the individual said to be floating on their back approximately 50 metres from the quay wall. Police officers were first on the scene and began efforts to reach the person.

Angle RNLI was tasked and the crew were preparing to launch when a stand-down message was received just eight minutes later, confirming that the individual had been successfully recovered and was in the care of police officers.

Dale Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the incident. No further assistance was required and the RNLI crew returned to station shortly after 1:15am.