Community

Younger generations more ‘self concious’

Published

9 years ago

April 28, 2016

NEW RESEARCH conducted by Weight Watchers has revealed that modern Welsh women are considerably less confident than their mothers were at the same age.

As part of the survey, Weight Watchers questioned over 2,000 women across the UK and in Wales.

Weight Watchers state that today’s young Welsh women are ‘losing out in the self-confidence generation game’, as their survey results have exposed the fact that over two thirds of Welsh women aged between 18 and 30 do not currently consider themselves to be confident.

Whilst 62% of Welsh women, more than the national average of 58%, feel their body is the area they are least confident about, research also revealed that the older generations of women are twice as positive about themselves as the younger generation, with less than 7% of Welsh 18 to 30 year-olds feeling confident in their bodies at all.

Weight Watchers say that although young women today enjoy considerably more freedom and equality both in their careers and relationships than previous generations, they are more lacking in confidence and self-esteem compared to older women when they were the same age.

In a cross generational study conducted by Weight Watchers, it was revealed that the younger women asked had 50% less positive thoughts about themselves a day compared to their mothers’ generation, alongside a third more negative thoughts per day.

For Welsh women, there was a strong correlation between body confidence and the women’s overall happiness. 20% of women aged between 50 and 65 reported having body confidence in their thirties, with 74% of these women agreeing that they currently felt happy in themselves.

Sadly, less than 10% of today’s 30-year-olds felt that they were happy in their appearance, with only 66% feeling happy in themselves overall.

This evidence was further supported by the result that young women place more than four times more emphasis on physical improvement by working on their health and fitness (59%), but only 5% of these women answered that they were happy about their body.

Nearly half of the women surveyed stated that their body was the area of their life they currently felt most unhappy about.

Commenting on the findings of the Weight Watchers research, Dr Katy Tapper, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at City University London, said: “It is unsurprising that these findings indicate young women today are feeling far less confident in their bodies than the older generation did at the same age.

“The UK is seeing rising rates of obesity in young women which can contribute to decreased body confidence and lead to lower mood levels.”

However, it was reported that young women had higher degrees of confidence in their relationships and professional capabilities than their mother’s generation did at their age. 58% of the older women survey agreed that today’s young women are much more empowered than they were at the same age.

However, 55% of the older generation concurred that the pressure to look good is more prevalent today, which could potentially be a consequence of the rise of the selfie. They said that this is likely due to the perceived confidence that results from the current social media climate of confidence building through curated photographic representations of the self.

The older generations were more likely to be pleased with how they look in the mirror (38%), be proud of something they had accomplished during the day (21%) or walk down the street feeling good about themselves when they were the same age (75%).

Zoe Griffiths, Head of Public Health and Programme at Weight Watchers, remarked on the survey results, saying: “It is clear that women today are far harder on themselves in all aspects of life than their mothers’ generation was. From careers and relationships to the way they look, women today are pushing themselves to exceed in every way.

“This is a trend can have a huge impact on young women’s confidence which is why at Weight Watchers, we believe it is incredibly important for women to build a strong and positive relationship with body and mind.

“We want to empower women to focus on building greater self-belief to achieve positive change.”

This researched has been conducted by Weight Watchers as a part of #WomanKind, a nationwide campaign that explores why modern women are unkind to themselves and how they can counter this cultural habit, to make healthier choices by focusing on building greater selfbelief to build better relationships with themselves.

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.