Community

Organ donation: Big talk, small city

Published

11 years ago

March 2, 2015

AS ST.DAVID’S DAY approaches, people across Wales are getting ready to celebrate all things Welsh. March 1 will also mark nine months to go until Wales changes the organ donation law, making Wales the first country in the UK to introduce a soft opt-out system for organ donation.

As part of the Welsh Government’s Time to Talk organ donation campaign the city of St David’s is being encouraged to make a Big Talk, Small City pledge to get everyone talking about organ donation in the lead up to St David’s Day. From Monday February 23, the people of St Davids will be spreading the word that a change to the law is coming.

The new system for organ donation aims to increase the number of donated organs available for transplant. Under the new system, which will come into force on December 1, people will become a potential organ donor by either registering their decision to opt in – as they do currently – or by doing nothing at all, in which case their consent may be deemed.

By deciding to do nothing people will show they have no objection to becoming an organ donor. From the summer, for the first time in the UK, people who do not wish to become organ donors will be able to register their decision and opt out of the new system.

Families and close friends of donors still have an important role to play under the new system. They will be asked to confirm details about their loved one, including whether they lived in Wales. If they knew their loved one did not want to donate their organs they can also raise this and consent will not be deemed. This is why it is important for families to talk about organ donation.

As part of the Big Talk, Small City St David’s activity, members of the community will play their part in raising awareness throughout the city by hosting a range of activities from leaflet door drops and displaying posters to hosting events and providing on-hand experts for members of the public to talk to.

Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “December 1 will see Wales become the first country in the UK to introduce a soft opt-out system for organ donation. We hope this new law will help save more lives by transforming attitudes towards consent to organ donation here in Wales. While awareness and understanding of the legislation continues to increase, the percentage of people who have talked about their organ donation wishes remains low. It’s fantastic that the people of St David’s city have come on board and through their Big Talk, Small City pledge, will help to spread the word that Wales is changing its organ donation laws.”

One community group, which is really behind the St Davids Big Talk, Small City organ donation campaign is Menevia WI, St Davids. On Wednesday February 25, members of the group will be doing a mass leaflet drop to households across St David’s, as well as delivering posters for display in local community amenity sites such as shops, GP surgeries, schools and dentists.

And on Saturday February 28, Organ Donation Wales will have a stand as part of the city’s St David’s Day activity, so members of the public can come and talk about the new legislation and what it means for them.

The President of Menevia Women’s Institute, Nanette Billeau, said: “Last year the Women’s Institute made a resolution to support organ donation and raise awareness of the importance of talking about organ donation. As a local group, we were really keen to get on board and help encourage the people of St Davids to get talking about their organ donation wishes. It’s going to be a big job getting round to as many people as possible, but we’re up for the challenge.”

From December 1, 2015,

the choices will be:

To be a donor, an individual can:

(opt in)

Choose to do nothing. If you do nothing, you will be treated as if you have no objection to being an organ donor.

To not be a donor, an individual can:

Like the current system, anybody will be able to register a decision to donate all organs and tissues or to select specific organs or tissues. Until December 1, the current opt-in system will continue and the deemed consent will not apply.

Community

Duck race draws crowds to Cresswell Quay

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN ANNUAL Rotary duck race and pig roast brought crowds to Cresswell Quay on Friday (May 29), with organisers hailing the evening a success.

The event, organised by Narberth and Whitland Rotary, saw yellow ducks released onto the water as spectators gathered along the quay to watch the race unfold.

Perfect conditions

ORGANISERS said the tide and weather “could not have been better” for the popular community event.

Families enjoyed a relaxed evening of entertainment, food and fundraising, with Bat-A-Rat proving popular with youngsters while adults enjoyed a pig roast, with pork provided by Tom at Andrew Rees Butchers.

Live music from Jack Castle added to the atmosphere as people gathered at the riverside venue.

***Rotary fun: Crowds gathered at Cresswell Quay for the annual Narberth and Whitland Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast***

Thanks to supporters

JOHN Sleigh, of Narberth and Whitland Rotary, thanked everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

He said: “What a fantastic evening. The tide and weather could not have been better for the annual Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast at Cresswell Quay.

“We thank you all for being there and making the event such a success.”

Community

Crisis response dogs launched to support people through trauma and distress

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW project using specially trained dogs to support people during moments of trauma, grief and crisis has been launched by Cariad Pet Therapy.

The volunteer-led Crisis Response Dogs project aims to provide comfort, emotional support and compassionate human contact to people experiencing distress, loss or heightened stress.

The dogs and their trained handlers will be able to support people in hospitals, schools, emergency response settings, wellbeing events, relief centres and community support environments.

Cariad Pet Therapy says the project is designed to offer a calm and non-judgmental presence at times when people may be struggling to cope.

Volunteers involved in the scheme have undertaken a bespoke training programme, including accredited Mental Health First Aid, Emotional First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practice, Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Dynamic Risk Assessment, Dog Welfare, Crisis Awareness, and training in psychological responses to trauma and distress.

The project is also working with emergency management and resilience partners, including the South Wales Local Resilience Forum, to support communities during emergencies, major incidents and recovery situations.

As part of its development, volunteers have attended specialist seminars on suicide prevention, the human-animal relationship, emergency planning and resilience.

Robert Thomas, Crisis Response Dogs lead for the project, said: “We have already witnessed the incredible impact these dogs can have on people facing difficult moments.

“Sometimes a calm presence, a conversation, or simply the comfort of a dog can make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.”

The project has received funding from The National Lottery.

For more information about Crisis Response Dogs, or to request a deployment, contact Robert Thomas on 01437 609985 or visit www.crisisresponsedogs.co.uk.

Crisis response dogs: Cariad Pet Therapy has launched a new project to support people during trauma, grief and distress across Wales (Pics: Cariad Pet Therapy).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.