COMMUNITY food organisations and food banks across Wales are to receive an additional £1 million in emergency funding from the Welsh Government to help support families struggling with the rising cost of living.

The funding increases the Welsh Government’s total investment in emergency food aid this year to £3.44 million.

Ministers say the money will help charities and community groups buy, store and distribute food, including surplus food that might otherwise go to waste. The aim is to boost their capacity to meet increasing demand while ensuring households facing financial hardship can still access nutritious food.

The announcement comes as economic uncertainty linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East raises concerns that global market pressures could push up the cost of everyday essentials.

The Welsh Government says the funding forms part of wider support measures aimed at helping households cope with financial pressures. Between 2022 and 2026, ministers say more than £7 billion has been invested through a range of programmes designed to reduce household costs, maximise income and provide financial support.

Through the Claim What’s Yours campaign, which directs people to Advicelink Cymru for free and confidential advice, more than £10.5 million in unclaimed financial support has been secured for people across Wales since 2020. The service helps residents access benefits, pensions, council tax reductions and support with care costs.

The Welsh Government also provides more than £30 million each year to the Warm Homes Nest scheme, which offers free energy efficiency improvements to low-income households. Since 2022, a further £7.4 million has been allocated to the Fuel Bank Foundation to run a national fuel voucher and emergency heat fund in Wales, supporting more than 230,000 people with energy top-ups and fuel deliveries, particularly those living off the gas grid.

In addition, eligible households receiving both the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Disabled Band Reduction are receiving a £100 winter payment through their local authority.

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said the funding was intended to help people facing ongoing financial pressures.

She said: “The cost of living continues to put pressure on many households across Wales, and the war in the Middle East may drive up prices, adding to the anxiety many people already feel about putting food on the table, paying their bills and heating their homes.

“Supporting people through these pressures is a priority for us and we are doing all we can to help those who need support. This additional £1 million will help community organisations and food banks reach more people as part of our wider work to tackle poverty.”

People seeking financial advice or support can contact Advicelink Cymru on 0800 702 2020 for free and confidential guidance.

A COMMUNITY football club has raised £1,000 for Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital following a successful charity guest speaker evening in Saundersfoot.

New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club organised the annual event on Saturday (Jun 28, 2025) at the Regency Hall, bringing supporters together for an evening of entertainment and football stories from former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

The event was organised in memory of Gareth Allen, a much-loved former player who died in 2023.

Simon Brace and Stuart McLaren from the club said the fundraiser was a way of honouring Gareth while giving something back to the hospital ward that cared for him.

They said: “New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club is a local amateur junior and senior football club based in the Saundersfoot community.

“This year’s event was organised in memory of Gareth Allen, a much-loved former player who sadly passed away in 2023. We wanted to honour Gareth and show our appreciation for the care he received by donating the proceeds to Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital.”

The donation was welcomed by Hywel Dda Health Charities, which supports services across the health board.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you so much to Simon, Stuart and everyone at New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club for selecting Ward 10 as one of the beneficiaries of your charity night.

“Your generosity is a lovely tribute to Gareth, and the donation is truly appreciated by the team on Ward 10. We are extremely grateful for your support.”

She added that donations from local communities help the charity provide services and equipment beyond what core NHS funding can offer across the Hywel Dda region.

For more information about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how to support local NHS patients and staff, visit www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk.

Photo caption: Stuart and Simon present the £1,000 donation to staff on Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital (Pic supplied).

A GROUP of children and young people have benefitted from a £3,000 grant from the Community Cohesion Small Grants Fund that helps celebrate diversity and builds strong relationships between communities.

Tonic Surf, a therapy project that uses surfing and the beach as a recovery tool for children and young people aged 14-25, has been able to offer a 10-week surf therapy course to 10 service users across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, with funds provided by the grant.

Along with Walkin on Water Surf School, Tonic Surf partnered with Hywel Dda’s Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service to deliver a therapeutic surfing programme, with participants attending weekly surf sessions at Poppit Sands. They were supported by two qualified surf coaches and accompanying staff from the EIP team.

Service users benefitted from more than just surf instruction, they also got to spend time outdoors and connect with nature. They were able to learn a new skill at their own pace and engage in physical activity.

The project helped build social connections between service users, provided healthy coping strategies and supported their recovery.

Cerian Morris, Community Psychiatric Nurse, EIP, said: “We are so grateful to the Mid and South West Wales Community Cohesion Team for the funding. Although each session lasted just two hours, for many attendees the experience became a full‑day positive routine, offering structure and purposeful activity each week.”

She added: “Research has found that graded exposure to more community-based activities has a very positive impact on young people who are experiencing general and social anxiety.

“Tonic surf therapy uses the marine environment as a recovery tool for children and young people. This supports integration with the local community for a group which is often isolated and stigmatised, and it supports young people to overcome loneliness and isolation at a formative stage of their lives.

“By sharing the exhilarating experience of surfing with other young people, the project supports this marginalised group to build important connections with others in their peer group and gives them the resources and resilience to help them overcome their mental health issues.”

Kay Howells, Community Cohesion Coordinator, Mid and South West Wales Community Cohesion Team, said: “Our funding aims to strengthen relationships between communities and support those who may face isolation or barriers to engagement. Tonic Surf has created a safe, supportive space where young people can thrive, learn new skills and feel included. We’re proud to have played a small part in making this possible.”