Campaigners urge supporters to pack County Hall as councillors prepare to decide future of rural school

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Ysgol Clydau are urging families and residents to turn out in force next week, describing Monday’s council meeting as the community’s “last chance to be heard” before a final decision on the school’s future.

Supporters of the north Pembrokeshire school have launched a fresh appeal ahead of a meeting at County Hall in Haverfordwest on Monday (Jun 15), where councillors are expected to determine whether the Welsh-medium village school will close.

In a strongly-worded social media appeal, the Save Ysgol Clydau campaign called on residents to stand together and show councillors the impact the school has had on children and families.

Campaigners said: “If you have ever said ‘someone should do something’ about the proposed closure of Ysgol Clydau, that someone is all of us on Monday morning.”

The group is asking supporters to gather outside County Hall at 9:00am, saying the meeting could be the community’s final opportunity to influence the outcome.

The campaign argues that Ysgol Clydau plays a unique role not only in education but also as the heart of a Welsh-speaking rural community.

Supporters say the school has transformed the lives of some pupils, helped vulnerable families during difficult times, and provides opportunities that could be lost forever if closure plans go ahead.

“We know many people are disappointed by the decision that has already been made,” campaigners said.

“We know many feel their voices have not been heard. But if we stay silent now, there will be no voice left to hear.”

The proposed closure has sparked strong feelings locally, with many residents warning that the loss of another rural school would deal a major blow to village life in north Pembrokeshire.

Campaigners have adopted the slogan: “Once a rural school is gone, it’s gone forever.”

Monday’s gathering at County Hall is expected to attract parents, pupils, former pupils and residents from across the area as the long-running battle over the school reaches a critical stage.

A spokesperson for the campaign said the message was simple: “Stand with our children. Stand with our community. Stand with Ysgol Clydau.”

Photo caption:

Save our school: Campaigners are urging supporters to attend County Hall on Monday (Pic: Save Ysgol Clydau).

Ministers say unsuitable homes are worsening health and contributing to delayed hospital discharges across Wales

POOR or unsuitable housing is directly affecting people’s health and placing additional strain on NHS services in Wales, the Welsh Government has admitted, following the publication of a major new report warning of the growing health impacts of inadequate homes.

The warning comes in a new report by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), which argues that poor housing is worsening physical and mental health, increasing hospital readmissions and adding avoidable pressure to health and social care services.

The report says millions of people across the UK are living in homes that fail to meet their needs, with problems ranging from damp and poor accessibility to unsuitable living environments for older people and those with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

The Welsh Government acknowledged the issue when asked for comment by The Pembrokeshire Herald.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Poor or unsuitable housing directly impacts people’s health and places additional pressure on NHS services.

“Delayed discharges linked to unsuitable housing are a serious concern and we are taking steps to improve patient flow and reduce delays, strengthening joint working between health, social care and housing services so people can leave hospital safely.

“This Welsh Government has been clear that housing is a public health issue, which is why we are aligning action across government, including through dedicated ministerial oversight, to create a healthier population.

“We are also strengthening adaptation services to support independent living and prevent avoidable admissions and are establishing a new national development body to speed up delivery of accessible social homes.”

The RCOT report argues there is little point discharging patients from hospital if they are returning to homes that worsen their condition or fail to meet their needs. It also highlights growing concerns around delayed hospital discharges, accessibility and an ageing population.

In west Wales, Hywel Dda University Health Board said housing and wider living conditions have a significant effect on health outcomes.

James Severs, Executive Director of Allied Health Professions and Health Science at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Most of what determines our health and well-being sits beyond the NHS. While healthcare is vital, it is the conditions in which people live, learn, work and age that have the greatest impact on health outcomes. As a Health Board, we recognise that the NHS contributes only a proportion of overall population health, with wider factors such as housing, education, employment and the environment playing a much larger role.

“This is why our strategy for ‘A Healthier Mid and West Wales’ is focused on moving beyond an illness-centred model of care to one that prioritises prevention, early intervention and support in communities. We are committed to working in partnership with local authorities, the third sector and our communities to address these wider determinants of health, reduce inequalities and enable people to live healthier lives, well lived.”

The report states that almost half of adults in Wales are already living with long-term health conditions and warns that failing to address poor housing could place increasing pressure on already stretched services.

The Pembrokeshire Herald has approached Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

RESIDENTS are being asked to help shape the future of well-being in Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire Public Services Board has launched its third Well-being Assessment and wants to hear from people who live or work in the county.

The assessment looks at what matters most to local communities, including issues affecting people’s quality of life now and in the years ahead.

It is a legal requirement under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The findings will help the Public Services Board decide what action is needed to improve well-being across Pembrokeshire.

The survey opened on Monday (Jun 1) and runs until Saturday, August 8, 2026.

It is being carried out jointly with Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

Residents can take part online at: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Well-being_Assessment_2026

Photo caption: Have your say: Residents are being asked to help shape future well-being plans in Pembrokeshire.