News
Volunteers needed to support witnesses and victims of crime
A SERVICE dedicated to helping witnesses and victims of crime is looking for volunteers.
Goleudy is a service commissioned by the Police and Crime Commissioner that provides anyone affected by crime, regardless of if they’ve reported it to the police, with the support they need to recover from their experience.
It relies on volunteers to provide a tailored support plan to witnesses and victims and the service is crying out for more help. In particular Goleudy is looking for Community Victim Support Volunteers, who are required to give confidential listening support and practical help to victims and witnesses of crime.
Goleudy manager Nichola Rance said: “Our service relies quite heavily on support from volunteers and our numbers are currently very low. This means witnesses and victims of crime may not be getting the help they would like. If we were able to boost our volunteers’ numbers significantly we would be able to get people on the road to recovery much faster.
“The role of Community Victim Support Volunteers is a rewarding and interesting opportunity for someone who likes the idea of helping vulnerable people get through a difficult time. You have to be over 18 and would have to go through specialist training and a vetting process before embarking on the role. I strongly urge people to get in touch if they wish to know more about this opportunity.”
The role entails contacting people who have been victims of crime, either on the phone, or at the victim’s home, communicating a way appropriate to the person being supported, clearly explain the support Goleudy can offer to empower victims to overcome the emotional, psychological and practical effects of crime.
Goleudy offers support to victims and witnesses in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys. The crime does not need to have been reported to police before accessing the support available. In fact, one of the roles of Goleudy is to talk to someone about their options if they haven’t reported the crime, talk through what happened to them and how they feel about it.
Goleudy aims to provide a high standard of care for victims and witnesses in the Criminal Justice System. For more information about Goleudy visit www.goleudyvictimandwitnessservice.org.uk.
To find out more about volunteering for Goleudy email [email protected] or call 01267 226463.
Charity
£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital
THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.
Their 37th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.
They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.
The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.
Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.
“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.
Community
Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success
NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.
Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.
The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.
The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.
A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.
News
The King’s Christmas message reflects on personal challenges and global struggles
THE KING delivered a heartfelt Christmas message at 3:00pm today, reflecting on his and the Princess of Wales’ battles with cancer, global conflicts, and the enduring power of compassion and hope.
His Majesty spoke from the Chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London, now a vibrant community space, sharing gratitude for the healthcare professionals who supported him and his family through illness.
Full text of the King’s speech:
“Earlier this year, as we commemorated the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, the Queen and I had the enormous privilege of meeting, once again, the remarkable veterans of that very special generation who gave of themselves so courageously, on behalf of us all.
“Listening to these once-young service men and women touched us deeply as they spoke of their comrades, drawn from across the Commonwealth, who never returned and who now rest peacefully where they made the ultimate sacrifice. Their example of service and selflessness continues to inspire, across the generations.
“During previous commemorations, we were able to console ourselves with the thought that these tragic events seldom happen in the modern era.
“But, on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict – in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere – pose a daily threat to so many people’s lives and livelihoods.
“We also think of the humanitarian organisations working tirelessly to bring vital relief. After all, the Gospels speak so vividly of conflict and teach the values with which we can overcome it.
“The example that Jesus gave us is timeless and universal. It is to enter the world of those who suffer, to make a difference to their lives and so bring hope where there is despair.
“As the famous Christmas Carol, ‘Once In Royal David’s City’ reminds us, ‘Our Saviour holy’ ‘came down to Earth from Heaven’, lived among ‘the poor and mean and lowly’ and transformed the lives of those he met, through God’s ‘redeeming love’.
“That is the heart of the Nativity Story and we can hear its beat in the belief of all the great faiths in the love and mercy of God in times of joy and of suffering, calling us to bring light where there is darkness.
“All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical. The degree to which we help one another – and draw support from each other, be we people of faith or of none – is a measure of our civilisation as nations.
“This is what continually impresses me, as my family and I meet with, and listen to, those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
“From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed.
“I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.
“On our recent visit to the South Pacific to attend the Commonwealth summit, I was reminded constantly of the strength which institutions, as well as individuals, can draw from one another. And of how diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength, not weakness.
“Across the Commonwealth, we are held together by a willingness to listen to each other, to learn from one another and to find just how much we have in common. Because, through listening, we learn to respect our differences, to defeat prejudice, and to open up new possibilities.
“I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviours, but to repair. To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and, through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all.
“Again, listening is a recurrent theme of the Nativity story. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, listened to the Angel who revealed to her a different future full of hope for all people. The message of the Angels to the shepherds – that there should be peace on Earth – in fact echoes through all faiths and philosophies.
“It rings true to this day for people of goodwill across the world. And so it is with this in mind that I wish you, and all those you love, a most joyful and peaceful Christmas.”
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