Charity

Recovery inspires new mental health support initiative in Wales

Published

3 months 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

Tenby club raises £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance

Published

2 days ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TENBY INNER WHEEL CLUB has raised £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance after holding a popular fish and chip supper fundraiser.

The club has supported the lifesaving charity for 12 years, raising £8,600 in total.

The latest event, held at the Boathouse in Saundersfoot, included both lunch and evening sittings, as well as a raffle.

The Inner Wheel Club of Tenby is a women’s organisation focused on friendship and service. It currently has 23 members who raise money for a range of good causes.

Karen Tulley, from the club, said: “Our members use our skills to promote and help good causes, while having plenty of fun at the same time.

“We are all aware that Wales Air Ambulance relies totally on donations and receives no government funding, which is why we are always keen to make this a really good event and raise as much money as we can.

“The air ambulance service is essential, particularly in rural areas.”

Following the fundraiser, Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, attended the club’s annual meeting, where he was presented with the £1,000 cheque.

He said: “A huge thank you to everyone at Inner Wheel Club of Tenby for raising a further £1,000 for our service.

“The members have fundraised for us for 12 years and in that time they have raised an incredible £8,600, which is amazing. We really do appreciate their ongoing support of our all-Wales charity.

“Fundraisers like these will ensure that the Wales Air Ambulance continues to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service which takes hospital-standard treatment to patients and, if needed, transfers them directly to the most appropriate hospital.

The charity must raise £13m every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Pic: Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, at the cheque presentation.

Charity

Charity golf day to support cancer awareness after Derek’s diagnosis

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LOCAL businesses are being asked to support a charity golf day in Rosemarket this July after organiser Derek Rowlands was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer.

Derek’s Charity Golf Day will take place at Dawn Til Dusk Golf Club on Friday, July 10, with proceeds going to Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.

The event will be played in a Texas Scramble format, with teams of four invited to enter at £80 per team. Tee times will run from 8:00am.

Derek was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2023. His illness was identified early, allowing him to undergo surgery soon after diagnosis. He continues to receive monthly treatment and has organised the event to raise both funds and awareness.

Neuroendocrine cancers can develop in different parts of the body, including the digestive system, pancreas and lungs. Symptoms can often be vague, meaning some patients are diagnosed late.

Local businesses are being invited to support the event by sponsoring a hole for a minimum donation of £100, donating raffle or competition prizes, entering a team, or helping to promote the day.

There are up to 18 hole sponsorship opportunities available, with sponsors able to display banners or promotional materials at their designated hole.

Anyone wishing to enter a team, sponsor the event, donate a prize or find out more can contact Derek on 07823 323 134.

Charity

Local insurance brokers help raise over £1,300 for Bluebirds Foundation

Published

4 days ago

May 20, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

The Haverfordwest County AFC Bluebirds Foundation is celebrating a £1,300 boost this month thanks to local insurance brokers Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking.

A recent fundraising day raised £653.64, which was fund matched by the insurance broker’s parent company, the Benefact Group, doubling the amount to over £1,300.

Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking St Clears are sponsors of Haverfordwest County AFC
which includes supporting the charitable arm of the club, Bluebirds Foundation. The Foundation focuses on the prevention of poverty and strengthens the bond between the
football club and local people, including launching junior supporter clubs and community
brunch clubs.
Harry Thomas, aTrustee at Bluebirds Foundation said:
“We are extremely grateful to Lloyd & Whyte for further enhancing the funds raised at
our Foundation Fundraiser, held at the Ogi Bridge Meadow in collaboration with
Haverfordwest County AFC and we look forward to working closely with Lloyd & White again at future events.”
Leyla Phillips stated:
“Events like this show what community is all about. I think it’s great what the
Bluebirds foundation are doing locally for Pembrokeshire, and it was a pleasure to be
a part of it. Being part of Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking and the Benefact Group
made it even more special as we are proud to match all funds that were raised on the day which I’m sure will be a nice addition for the foundation, to enable them to carry
on doing great initiatives within our community.’’
The funday event saw bouncy castles, cake stands, a raffle, shirt swap stand, kick-up
competitions, and inflatable goal, alongside the normal match day activities, all providing
hours of fun for spectators and supporters.

And to top it all, Haverfordwest County AFC won 6-0 on the day against Llanelli Town AFC.