Former offender now helping homeless in Newport outreach programme

A SALVATION Army support worker who spent years caught up in crime and prison has shared a powerful message of hope this Easter — urging others never to give up.

Ray Faulkner, now working on a daily breakfast outreach in Newport, says his life has been transformed after decades of hardship, racism and time behind bars.

Born in London in 1962, Ray was sent to Jamaica as a child due to severe asthma and raised by his grandparents. He returned to the UK aged sixteen, settling in Bristol — where he says he experienced racism for the first time.

Speaking about his early years, Ray said: “I arrived in the city a week after the 1980 riots. It was a volatile place. Getting a job was not easy for a young black lad fresh into the UK from the West Indies.

“It was a culture shock as I’d never experienced racism back in Jamaica. I rebelled and pushed back against life. My anger and aggression got worse. I felt harassed by the police. I was drawn into gangs and street crime and started getting into trouble.”

Despite developing a passion for food while working at a sandwich bar in Bristol market, Ray’s life spiralled into repeated offending, leading to a lengthy prison sentence — which he describes as feeling like a “life sentence”.

He was eventually released in 2018.

After leaving prison, Ray began volunteering, cooking meals for people experiencing homelessness during the Covid lockdown. He later secured a role with The Salvation Army, working on its Breakfast Run — part of The Open Door Project in Newport.

His role involves early morning outreach, providing food and support to people sleeping rough across the city.

“When I came out of prison, I was volunteering and cooking food for people experiencing homelessness,” he said.

“This job was like the heavens opened. My message is don’t give up — there is always hope.

“I go out early in the morning to meet people wherever they are — in tents, alleyways or under bridges. I offer breakfast and a hot drink, but more importantly I try to build trust. My goal is to help people into accommodation and proper support.”

Newport’s Outreach Programme Manager Zoë Mathias said Ray’s journey had made him a vital part of the team.

“Ray’s story is one of new beginnings,” she said.

“After facing racism, hardship and more than 20 years in prison, he chose hope instead of anger. He now uses his own experiences to support people who feel forgotten. He has flourished here and become a valued colleague.”

The outreach programme operates seven days a week and supports around seventy people at any one time. Over the past year, 263 individuals have received help, with around three-quarters moving on to more stable situations.

Latest Welsh Government figures show Newport has one of the highest homelessness rates in Wales. In 2024–25, around 187.9 households per 10,000 were assessed as homeless — roughly one in every 53 households.

Narberth favourite retains title after overwhelming public support

THE IVY BUSH Inn has been crowned Best Local Pub 2026, retaining its title after receiving an overwhelming show of support from the community.

The popular Narberth venue dominated this year’s competition, attracting more than 150 nominations—far surpassing all other entrants and cementing its place at the heart of local life.

The annual competition, organised by Conservative Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz MS and supported by Templeton Beer Wine and Spirit Co, celebrates the vital role pubs play across Pembrokeshire. Now in its second year, the initiative highlights how pubs continue to bring communities together.

More than 1,000 nominations were submitted by the public this year, with over 70 pubs across the county taking part.

In second place was the Highgate Inn in Hundleton, followed by the Watermans Arms in Pembroke, both praised for their strong community focus and welcoming atmosphere.

Other highly commended venues included The Bunker, The Cross Saws and The Cresselly Arms, showcasing the strength and diversity of Pembrokeshire’s pub scene.

The Ivy Bush Inn was presented with a free keg of beer and a winner’s certificate on Tuesday (Mar 31).

Voters were quick to praise the Narberth pub for its atmosphere and inclusivity.

“It’s the heart of Narberth—always something going on and everyone is welcome,” said one.

Another added: “From the moment you walk in, you feel like family,” while others described it as having a “brilliant atmosphere, great staff and the best nights out around.”

The strength of feeling extended across the competition, with many highlighting the wider role pubs play in their communities.

“Not just a pub—it’s the hub of the village,” one voter said of the Highgate Inn, while the Watermans Arms was described as “a place where everyone feels welcome and supported.”

The Cresselly Arms also received praise, with one nomination stating: “Always a warm welcome from Steve and his staff in this unspoilt, special pub.”

Samuel Kurtz MS said: “This competition has once again shown just how important our local pubs are to communities across Pembrokeshire. The response has been incredible.

“The Ivy Bush Inn’s level of support was exceptional and a testament to the role it plays in Narberth. But every single pub nominated should be proud. They are the backbone of our communities, and the comments about each establishment have been a joy to read.”

Jason Vaughan, owner of The Ivy Bush Inn, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to win again. This means so much because it comes directly from our customers and community. Thank you to everyone who voted—we’re incredibly grateful for your support.”

Lyndon Belt of Templeton Beer Wine and Spirit Co said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people getting behind their local pubs. They are such an important part of our communities and deserve to be recognised.”

Motorist fled scene after colliding with fence and hedge near Clunderwen

A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after failing to stop following a collision on the A478.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving his Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). His failure to stop and report the incident led to his court appearance.

Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report the accident, driving without third party insurance and driving while disqualified.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being the person responsible.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending sentence.