Community

Organ donation: Big talk, small city

Published

9 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

Port of Milford Haven renews partnership with Milford Youth Matters

Published

12 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Port of Milford Haven has strengthened its commitment to supporting the development of young people via a renewed partnership agreement with Milford Youth Matters. The two organisations have been working in collaboration for over five years to improve skills, aspirations, confidence levels and positive experiences for young people in Milford Haven. The new three-year agreement will enable Milford Youth Matters to deliver Friday night youth provision at a new venue based in Haven’s Head Business Park.

The partnership between the Port and Milford Youth Matters has resulted in hugely successful youth projects including the award-winning Under the Bridge project, WAVE – a water-safety initiative – and Winter Warmers, which provided young people with free meals and a warm space to socialise in a safe environment. All projects are supporting young people to achieve their full potential with many learning new skills, gaining qualifications and taking up volunteering activities. They have also led to a decreased anti-social behaviour in the area.

The new premises at Haven’s Head will allow Milford Youth Matters to expand their current offering and focus more on their academy work, which includes upskilling young people.

Dayle Gibby, Co-Ordinator at Milford Youth Matters said: “Its fantastic that the Port of Milford Haven shares our vision in providing ongoing opportunities for young people in our community. By working together we are able to align our resources to ensure that young people are provided with experiences that will enhance their future potential, whether that be employability, volunteering or to become active members of our town. Our ongoing and enhanced partnership looks to ensure the maximum impact is achieved with long lasting benefits for our future generations.”

Lauren Williams, PR & Communications Officer added: “We’re lucky to have organisations like Milford Youth Matters on our doorstep, offering young people creative outlets and skills opportunities. Our partnership over the past 5 years has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted to be able to increase our support over the coming years.”

Community

Castle tearoom serves up new sensory-friendly sessions

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEW sensory-friendly sessions at a popular castle tearoom will enable visitors with additional needs to enjoy a welcoming and accommodating environment tailored to their specific requirements.

As part of an initiative to boost engagement with a more diverse audience, Carew Castle, which is run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, will be running a new Quiet Hour and Power Hour at Nest Tearoom on the second Monday of each month.

The Quiet Hour, designed to provide a safe space for anyone who feels anxious or overwhelmed when out in public, will take place between 9am and 10am, before the Castle opens. Bright lighting and noise will be kept to a minimum and visitors will be able to enjoy quieter activities in a relaxing environment.

The Power Hour is scheduled for 4.30pm to 5.30pm and offers an energetic and engaging session, tailored to promote physical movement and social engagement. The aim is to create an opportunity for individuals who thrive in more active settings to connect with others, without concern for excessive noise or social interaction.

Manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes, said: “We are thrilled to introduce these new sensory-friendly sessions at Carew Castle, as part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

“The Quiet Hour and Power Hour sessions aim to cater to the specific needs of our visitors, providing them with an environment where they can truly be themselves. As well as being able to use the café facilities, visitors will be able to explore the Castle garden. For those who wish to explore the Castle, entry is free with a Carers Card. Otherwise, normal entry fees apply.”

The Castle, which was named Pembrokeshire Visitor Attraction of the Year in last year’s Croeso Awards isn’t the only Park Authority-run site to adapt the visitor experience to accommodate more diverse audiences. A Sunday morning Quiet Hour was introduced at Castell Henllys Iron Age Village in 2019 to encourage people who would not otherwise have visited the site to come along and discover more about the lives of their ancient ancestors.

To learn more about the sensory-friendly sessions and to plan your visit, please contact Carew Castle directly on 01646 651782 or visit www.carewcastle.com. Further information about Castell Henllys’ Quiet Hour can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/castell-henllys/about-castell-henllys/accessibility-2/.

Community

Four-day community engagement at Haverfordwest Castle Square

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THOMAS Baden Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council and local councillor for Castle Ward, says he was delighted to participate in the opening of the “Sharing The Square” event. The four-day programme, running from April 24 to 27 at Haverfordwest Castle Square, invites the community to exchange memories and ideas for the future development of this historic area.

The initiative, in collaboration with local artists and Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to collect community input on potential improvements and address existing challenges in the square. The event also seeks to enhance the connectivity with the adjacent Haverfordwest Castle, focusing on pedestrian routes from the square to the castle.

A variety of public activities are scheduled to take place during the event. These include gardening, creative workshops, games, and musical performances, ensuring an engaging experience for all attendees. Among the highlights is an art workshop led by renowned artist Janetka Platun. Her session titled “What is Lost and What is Found?” offers participants of all ages and abilities the chance to develop model-making skills. Each attendee will create a small model housed in an acrylic box, using diverse and intriguing materials.

Local community groups have been invited to reserve a slot for this free workshop, which is available on the afternoons of 24th, 25th, and the morning and afternoon of 27th April. The project aims to provide a platform for residents to reflect on their personal connections to the square and envision its future.

Further details on the ongoing and future activities can be found on the project’s official website at www.sharingthesquare.org, and updates are regularly posted on their Instagram account @sharingthesquare.

The event has already attracted attention with various stakeholders, including Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner, Danielle Thomas-Turner, and Guy Norman from Spacetocreate, contributing to the discussions and activities.

Photos from today’s activities can be viewed at The Edge Youth Centre’s social media, highlighting the community’s enthusiastic participation in shaping the future of Haverfordwest Castle Square.