Charity

Recovery inspires new mental health support initiative in Wales

Published

1 minute ago

February 21, 2026

Founder turns lived experience of addiction and crisis into community support project

A WELSH father who battled severe mental health struggles, addiction, and a suicide attempt has launched a new grassroots foundation aimed at helping others facing similar challenges.

Gareth Clement is the founder of The Grumpy Dumpty Foundation, a small Wales-based initiative created from his own lived experience of recovery and rebuilding life after crisis.

The project focuses on mental health awareness, addiction recovery support, suicide prevention, and signposting people towards trusted services.

Gareth told The Herald that the foundation began as a way of speaking honestly about struggles that many people feel unable to share.

He said: “Grumpy Dumpty started as a way of talking openly about the parts people usually hide — relapse, shame, early sobriety, suicidal thoughts, and what recovery actually looks like when you’re still raising kids and showing up every day.”

Health scare turning point

In 2022, Gareth says his life reached a critical moment when he was told by a doctor that his liver was failing as a result of alcohol use.

He stopped drinking completely.

He said recovery did not instantly solve every problem but gave him the opportunity to start again.

“Recovery didn’t magically fix life — but it did give me a chance to rebuild it honestly,” he said.

Since then, he has used social media and direct conversations to support people who are struggling, often late at night when services are harder to access.

Real-life impact

Gareth shared examples of people who have already been helped through the foundation’s work.

In one case, a father contacted him while on the verge of relapsing after months of sobriety. After messaging for over an hour, the man chose not to drink and later joined a local recovery group.

In another situation, a young man who had never previously spoken about his mental health reached out after reading posts online. Gareth helped direct him towards counselling services and a men’s support group, reducing his sense of isolation.

“There’s no corporate backing, no PR agency, and no glossy campaign — just lived experience, community, and the belief that if even one person reaches out instead of giving up, it’s worth it,” Gareth said.

Building hope through honesty

The Grumpy Dumpty Foundation is currently set up as an unincorporated association and aims to expand its reach over time, particularly for people in early recovery who may feel unsupported.

Gareth hopes the project will encourage more open conversations about mental health and addiction, particularly among men who often struggle to seek help.

He added: “If people can see someone being honest about their struggles, it can make it easier for them to speak too.”

The foundation shares information, personal reflections, and support resources through its online community.

More information about The Grumpy Dumpty Foundation can be found via its Facebook page.

Photo caption: Gareth Clement, founder of The Grumpy Dumpty Foundation, which aims to support people facing mental health challenges and addiction recovery (Pic: Supplied).

Charity

Long service awards for Tenby surf lifesavers

Published

3 days ago

February 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Three volunteers recognised for years of dedication to keeping beachgoers safe

THREE long-serving members of Tenby Surf Life Saving Club have been recognised for their commitment and dedication, receiving Long Service Awards at the charity’s recent presentation evening.

Jules Rilston, Angelo Fecci and Ian Badham were each honoured for their sustained contributions to surf lifesaving in Tenby over many years of voluntary service.

Club chairman Tai Jackson thanked the trio for their commitment to the club and the wider lifesaving movement on behalf of the committee and members.

Tenby Surf Life Saving Club is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit registered charity and one of 31 volunteer lifeguard clubs across Wales. During 2025, its lifesavers delivered 188 hours of volunteer patrols and assisted 113 people along the coastline.

The club also runs a youth education programme, known as Nippers and Junior Lifesaving, which provided more than 104 hours of training to 60 local children last year. Young participants are taught vital water safety skills, first aid knowledge and how to enjoy water sports safely and sustainably.

The club is currently recruiting new volunteers to support both frontline lifesaving activities and essential behind-the-scenes roles, including committee positions and fundraising support.

Charity

Concert at St Davids Cathedral to support hospice care in Pembrokeshire

Published

4 days ago

February 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MUSIC lovers in Pembrokeshire are being invited to enjoy a special lunchtime concert at St Davids Cathedral later this month, with proceeds supporting the Paul Sartori Foundation’s hospice-at-home services.

The event, hosted by Totally Vocal Pembrokeshire, will take place on Saturday (Feb 21) at 1:00pm and will bring together local singing groups in the cathedral’s historic setting. The concert will also feature internationally renowned a cappella leader Deke Sharon.

Sharon, often described as the “godfather” of contemporary a cappella, is best known for his work on the hit Pitch Perfect films. His return to Pembrokeshire follows a successful workshop visit in late 2025 at the invitation of Pembrokeshire Pop Voices.

The local choir has chosen the Paul Sartori Foundation as one of its charities of the year and has been raising funds through a range of musical initiatives. Before Christmas, the group released a charity single titled Love the Bones of You, with proceeds helping to support hospice care across the county.

Supporters can contribute by streaming or downloading the song, or simply asking a smart speaker to play it — a small action organisers say can make a meaningful difference.

Further fundraising events are planned for the spring, including an evening of music and entertainment on Saturday (Mar 28) at 7:30pm at The Regency Hall in Saundersfoot. Pembrokeshire Pop Voices will be joined by Paul Sartori supporters The Slipway Ukes and local band Footbridge for a night of music, food and fundraising.

A spokesperson for the Paul Sartori Foundation said the events highlight the power of music to bring communities together while supporting vital care services.

“These events are wonderful experiences for audiences and they also raise essential funds for our hospice-at-home services,” she said. “We are incredibly grateful to groups such as Pembrokeshire Pop Voices, Totally Vocal Pembrokeshire and The Slipway Ukes for supporting care in our community.”

Anyone interested in organising a musical fundraiser or choosing the charity as their Charity of the Year can contact community fundraiser Rosie-Faye at [email protected].

Tickets for the St Davids Cathedral concert are available online via TicketSource, while tickets for the Saundersfoot event can be purchased through The Slipway Ukes or via the Paul Sartori Foundation website.

Charity

Tenby golf captain raises more than £8,000 for hospice charity

Published

4 days ago

February 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Fundraising year inspired by personal experience of end-of-life care

TENBY GOLF CLUB has announced that £8,360.68 has been raised for the Paul Sartori Foundation after a year of fundraising led by club captain Heather Morgan.

Heather’s captaincy was particularly notable as she is only the second female captain in the club’s history since it was founded in 1888. Her choice of charity was inspired by personal experience, following the care and support provided to her mother by the hospice-at-home charity.

Her mother, who lived to the age of 97, was able to remain at home during her final days thanks to the support of Paul Sartori’s clinical team.

Heather said she could not have managed without the compassion and professionalism of the staff, who supported both her mother and the wider family during a difficult time. She therefore chose the charity not only to raise funds, but also to increase awareness of the services available to families across Pembrokeshire.

The fundraising year included a packed programme of well-supported events, including a charity golf day, Captain’s Day, and a popular night golf competition. Members and guests also supported quiz nights with themed food, a special performance by Tenby Male Voice Choir, as well as Easter and Christmas raffles.

Joanne Lutwyche, Events and Fundraising Officer for the Paul Sartori Foundation, said: “Becoming a charity of the year is a great privilege for us, and we always aim to support our community fundraisers as much as possible during the time we are chosen.

“Our fundraising and events team have been astonished by the generosity of the golfers throughout the year. We have been invited to support events at Tenby Golf Club, and they have been great fun to be part of.”

The charity has thanked Heather Morgan, Tenby Golf Club, and everyone who contributed to the fundraising efforts, saying the money will help provide hospice-at-home care for people living with life-limiting illness across Pembrokeshire.

The funds raised will enable more families to receive care and comfort in their own homes at the most difficult times.

Photo caption: Heather Morgan with Brendan Monnelly, General Manager at Tenby Golf Club (Pic supplied).