Community

Local I.T. businessman launches global charity

Published

10 years ago

March 3, 2015

Tom Sinclair

TechAid: An international charity based in Wales.

TECHAID founder Gareth Scott spoke to us at the Herald this week about his international charity, which aims to help the poverty sector in Cambodia through ICT. TechAid is a non-profit organisation, which aims to distribute donated laptops to deprived schools in South East Asia. The current focus is on Cambodia, but TechAid hope to expand once a stronghold is established in Cambodia. The idea is to gather donated laptops from the UK and the USA and put them in public sector schools in South East Asia in order to fight against the poverty there. Cambodian children only get four hours of education a day in the public sector of study and they lack educational sources.

TechAid aims to bring laptops over in order to bring more information and knowledge to the schools of Cambodia. When Gareth went to Cambodia on holiday, without any idea that he would soon be setting up a charity, he was sat in a street one day, eating street food, when he noticed a child watching him from the other side of the road. There was a lot of poverty on the streets where he holidayed; there were orphans begging and children on the street. Gareth was worried by the fact that the poverty had not affected him straight away. So, he took it upon himself to look into the poverty problem in Cambodia, beginning with the schools.

It was clear that there was a lack of educational resources and his immediate thought, as an IT businessman, was to get laptops out there and set up an internet connection. This would give the schools in Cambodia unlimited education. Gareth talked about the fact that we take the internet for granted in the UK; we underestimate the power of the internet and do not use it to its full potential. The children in Cambodia want to learn and will be able to do so with the laptops that TechAid provide them.

TechAid want to use technology as a window and a resource for Cambodia. Many of the people in Cambodia have never even seen a laptop and by giving the schools the technology, they will be educated in so many things. Education is the tool to improve the poverty in South East Asia, according to Gareth. Education will teach children that helmets would stop the many people from dying through bike accidents, that prostitution is damaging, and that STDs can be prevented. This is just a small factor of what education can achieve.

A year ago, TechAid applied to be a registered charity, and were approved. They went over to Cambodia in November 2014 and have only just come back to the UK. Their time in Cambodia was a massive success; they were on the national news and were given full support from the Battambang Provence Governor. They got full permission to help the public primary schools, which teach 6 to 9 year olds in Battambang. Gareth is slowly shutting down his business in Thornton in order to completely focus on TechAid as a career path.

They aim to get funding from private donations, large corporations and voluntary work. Gareth commented that everyone has an old laptop in the cupboard that they could donate. Many companies have to pay to have laptops destroyed, whereas the only thing that needs to be destroyed when sending laptops to Cambodia through TechAid is the hard drive. The laptop will not be sent to Cambodia with the hard drive in as a guarantee that the data will not leave the country.

If you would like to help TechAid by donating a laptop, you could take the hard drive out yourself or they could do it for you. TechAid have connections all over the world despite being based in Wales, with graphic designers in Germany, project managers in London, photographers from the USA and translators from Norway, Germany, France and Cambodia. TechAid are going back to Cambodia in October 2015 and aim to have one hundred laptop donations by then. If you would like to help the charity, you can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.co.uk/techaidcharity or call on 01646 699 351 for more information. There website will be up and running in the next few weeks too.

Community

RWE launches hydrogen education programme to inspire future climate champions

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RWE has launched its Hydrogen Education Programme, an initiative aimed at educating schoolchildren about hydrogen’s crucial role in achieving net zero and decarbonising industries.

Developed in partnership with Generation C, the programme offers interactive, curriculum-based activities that connect classroom learning to real-world applications. Students of all ages will explore hydrogen’s properties, its production, and its growing role in industries driving the clean energy transition.

Henry Tudor High School in Pembroke has already piloted the programme with secondary school students, while Golden Grove Primary School is set to begin this week. The initiative will demonstrate how hydrogen, as a clean energy source, is integral to reducing emissions in transport, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

Engaging young minds

The programme features real-world case studies highlighting RWE’s hydrogen projects and includes group challenges designed to encourage critical thinking about global climate issues.

Golden Grove Primary School headteacher, Mr A Williams, welcomed the initiative, stating: “As head of a large primary school in Pembrokeshire, which is at the forefront of green energy growth, it is imperative that we build meaningful relationships with companies like RWE. The initial lesson captivated our learners, who now fully understand the importance of green energy and the new hydrogen plant. The flexibility of the New Welsh Curriculum allows us to tailor learning to our community’s needs—building an electrolyser to produce hydrogen is just the beginning of a journey that could lead to future opportunities in collaboration with businesses.”

Williams also highlighted the programme’s potential to shape future career paths, saying: “This project could provide highly skilled jobs in our county, and we need our learners to be at the forefront of that development.”

Building a sustainable future

Louise McDonnell, RWE’s hydrogen development manager, attended the event and emphasised the programme’s impact: “Our Hydrogen Education Programme equips young people with the knowledge and inspiration to make a difference. Hydrogen is a game-changer in the fight against climate change, and through this initiative, we’re helping students see the opportunities in clean energy. Education is key to building the skills and passion needed to achieve net zero and safeguard our planet.”

RWE’s Hydrogen Education Programme is more than just an awareness initiative—it aims to inspire careers in clean energy. By sparking curiosity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the programme encourages students to explore future roles in the expanding hydrogen economy and renewable energy sector.

Hydrogen’s role in decarbonisation

RWE recently secured planning permission for the RWE Pembroke Green Hydrogen Project, a 100MWe electrolysis plant capable of producing approximately two metric tonnes of green hydrogen per hour. By replacing fossil fuels, the plant is expected to cut local CO2 emissions by about 93,000 tonnes annually, the equivalent of removing 18,600 cars from the road.

As the UK’s largest power producer and a leading renewable generator, RWE continues to develop hydrogen opportunities nationwide to support industrial decarbonisation and drive the transition to a cleaner energy future.

Community

New Men’s Shed opens at Milford Haven Station

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TRANSPORT for Wales (TfW) has announced the opening of a new Men’s Shed at Milford Haven Station, transforming one of its stations into a valuable community hub.

Men’s Sheds are community spaces where people come together to make, repair, and repurpose items while supporting local projects. These grassroots initiatives play a crucial role in tackling social isolation and fostering a sense of community.

Research shows that Sheds offer significant health benefits, with 96% of members—known as Shedders—reporting a reduction in loneliness after joining. While traditionally associated with older men, Men’s Sheds are inclusive, welcoming people of all genders and backgrounds. Many involve women, and some operate exclusively for women.

The new Milford Haven Men’s Shed will provide a space for the community to connect, share skills, and form friendships. Shedders will have the freedom to decide how best to use the space to meet their needs.

Emma Collins, Station Manager for Milford Haven, said: “I am pleased that we are able to accommodate the Men’s Shed within the station and support this invaluable community group and the work they do.”

The Milford Haven Men’s Shed committee expressed gratitude to TfW for enabling the project, calling it a safe and welcoming space for older members of the community to build friendships and support well-being.

A spokesperson for the Shed said: “We hope to give back to the community some of the help we have received from TfW. We would also like to thank the National Lottery for the funding that made this project possible.”

They added: “Whether it’s crafting, working on projects, or simply dropping in for a cuppa and a chat, the Men’s Shed is here for the people of the town. We look forward to welcoming everyone.”

Community

Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Published

7 days ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.

Shaping the future together

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”

The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.

A data-driven approach

The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.

Get involved

Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.

For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].

About MAWWFRS

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.