Community

Quitting work due to stress on the rise

Published

12 years ago

May 30, 2014

HALF of employees (50%) in Wales say they know a colleague who has had to quit work due to stress in the past year. The research, by Capita Employee Benefits, also reveals nearly eight in 10 workers in Wales (78%) have been stressed at work in the past year and, prompted by job insecurity, more than 2 in 5 (42%) are working longer hours.

Other findings show employers in Wales are failing to support their stressed workforce as nearly a third (31%) of those questioned who have personally suffered with stress, say after they addressed the issue with their employer nothing was done. Based on research among people in full-time employment in Wales, the findings show half of employees (50%) feel that their employer has a responsibility to help them manage their personal health and wellbeing. Alistair Dornan, head of health and risk management at Capita Employee Benefits, commented: “A shocking 15.2 million working days were lost to stress, depression and anxiety in 2013* and, as these results show, employees clearly feel they’re not getting the support they need to be able to deal with stress to the point where people know colleagues who’ve been forced to quit. Considering the cost of absenteeism, lowered productivity and talent leaving organisations on organisations’ bottom lines – it’s vital employers start taking stress seriously. “Employers need to be able to spot stress trends so they can look to create ways of mitigating that stress before it takes hold. Conducting a detailed risk assessment and auditing the health and wellbeing of an entire workforce will help an employer to spot patterns. For example, if once a year a department has higher than average absenteeism rates, then stress could be a contributing factor. Providing targeted health benefits for the whole of workforce such as expanded access to private healthcare, health coaching and even simple personal health awareness events – could help to deal with stress and prevent absenteeism, potentially saving an organisation thousands of pounds in lost days. It may also mean organisations are able to hold on to talented staff who may be tempted to quit.”

Community

Hospital staff to climb Pen y Fan for Ward 4 fundraiser

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

STAFF from Ward 4 at Withybush Hospital are preparing to climb Pen y Fan to raise money for their surgical ward.

The team will take on the challenge on Saturday, September 5, 2026, climbing the highest peak in South Wales in Bannau Brycheiniog.

The fundraiser aims to raise £500, with money going directly towards improving the ward environment for patients.

Staff said: “We have organised this event to raise funds that will go directly towards enhancing the ward environment for patients, including purchasing items such as TVs to improve comfort and wellbeing during their stay.

“We’re hoping to raise £500.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “A huge thank you to the team on Ward 4 for embracing the challenge and choosing to raise funds for their ward. We hope you have a fantastic day and truly enjoy the experience.

“The generous charitable donations we receive do not replace NHS funding. Instead, they support additional items and activities outside core NHS expenditure. These small extras make a big difference, and we are so grateful for every donation we receive.”

Donations can be made to the Ward 4 Pen y Fan fundraiser at: https://hyweldda.enthuse.com/cf/ward-4-staff-at-withybush-hospital-s-pen-y-fan-cha

For more information about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how to support local NHS patients and staff, visit: hywelddahealthcharities.nhs.wales

Pictured:

Staff from Ward 4

Community

Charles Street to come alive for Milford Haven Founders Day

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CHARLES STREET will once again be transformed into a bustling pedestrian zone as Milford Haven celebrates its annual Founders Day on Saturday (June 6).

Milford Haven Business Circle, in collaboration with Milford Haven Town Council, is bringing the much-loved community event back to the town centre to celebrate the town’s heritage, history and community spirit.

The event will run from 11:00am until 4:00pm, with a programme of free family entertainment including bouncy castles, face painting, local stalls, community groups, activities for all ages and live entertainment organised by the Boulevard Theatre.

The day’s celebrations will also be professionally photographed by Captured Soul Photography.

Founders Day gives residents and visitors the chance to come together to celebrate Milford Haven’s past while supporting the businesses, organisations and community groups that continue to make the town a vibrant place today.

To allow the event to take place safely, a road closure will be in force from the junction of Francis Street to Dartmouth Street between 10:00am and 5:00pm. Once the closure is in place, Charles Street will become a pedestrian-only zone.

Medical and event safety cover throughout the day will be provided by Pegasus Ambulance Service.

Milford Haven Business Circle has thanked Milford Haven Town Council, Taste of Haven, PATCH, Tesco Milford Haven, Ambulance Friends, The Ascona Group and Green Light Traffic Management for their support in helping make this year’s event possible.

Business Circle members supporting the event include Cast N Craft Fishing for Health, Pegasus Ambulance Service, Elizabeth Christie Bridal Wear, Taste of Haven, Phoenix Yarns, Phoenix Bowl, Alf Seren Collectables, Granby’s, Captured Soul Photography, Moon Goddess Emporium and Milford Haven Town Council.

Everyone is welcome to attend and entry is free.

Community

Explore Pembrokeshire after hours with lighthouse tours and bat walks

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SERIES of special evening events will offer visitors a different way to experience the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this summer.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is running exclusive after-hours events at Strumble Head Lighthouse and in St Davids, giving people the chance to explore the area’s heritage and wildlife as dusk falls.

Explore the Lighthouse tours will provide rare access to one of the coast’s best-known landmarks at Strumble Head. Led by National Park Authority staff, the small-group tours will begin with a first-hand account of lighthouse life from the current keeper.

A Ranger-led session will then look at the station’s maritime heritage, including the history of nearby shipwrecks, before exploring the lighthouse’s links with the Coast Path, surrounding farmland and the native wildlife that becomes active after dark.

The tours will take place on four Friday evenings this summer: June 19, July 3, July 17 and August 7. Two timed slots will be available each evening, from 5:00pm to 6:30pm and 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

In St Davids, Brilliant Bats will give visitors the chance to discover more about the wildlife that emerges from the nooks and crannies around the city’s iconic cathedral after dark.

Bat detectors will be provided, with guidance from a Park Authority Ranger on how to use them, as well as information about the elusive nocturnal creatures.

The bat walks will take place on Friday, August 14, from 8:15pm to 10:15pm, and Thursday, August 27, from 7:45pm to 9:45pm.

Rachel Perkins, Manager of Oriel y Parc, National Park Discovery Centre in St Davids, said: “These events offer a chance to experience familiar places in a completely different way.

“From stepping inside Strumble Lighthouse and hearing stories from the current keeper, to listening for bats around St Davids Cathedral after dark, each event brings people closer to the landscape, heritage and wildlife of the National Park.”

Booking is essential. Tickets for both Explore the Lighthouse and Brilliant Bats cost £10 per person and can be reserved at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/events.

Caption: Enjoy a different way of experiencing the Park this summer with special evening events run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.