News

Positive impact of young volunteers

Published

12 years ago

June 4, 2014

IN THE LEAD UP to Volunteers’ Week (June 1 to 7), the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) reveals the breadth of social impact young people contribute to their communities in Wales through the Volunteering section of their DofE programme and the long-lasting positive effect the experience has on the individual.

In the research sample of over 6,500 DofE participants in Wales aged 14 to 24, popular activities included helping children, such as at afterschool clubs (13%), sports leadership, including basketball scoring and hockey mentoring (11%), volunteering in a charity shop (10%) and helping people in need such as the elderly or homeless (4%). As well as the traditional volunteering roles, the survey also identified more unusual opportunities young people have pursued in Wales, such as going on an archaeological excavation, assisting ballet lessons, tutoring maths and coaching golf and tennis. Through volunteering, young people can gain valuable skills that have a lasting impact on both their work and personal lives. These include communication, team-working and commitment, in addition to the emotional intelligence and social awareness volunteering fosters. The DofE works with other charities to support young people in their volunteering choices, including the British Heart Foundation, Oxfam, NSPCC and PDSA which provide a variety of opportunities. For their DofE, young people commit to three months to a year of volunteering, depending on their award level, and often continue after they’ve achieved their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. As well as volunteering, other sections of the DofE include: physical, improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness; skills, developing practical and social skills and personal interests; expedition, planning and undertaking an adventurous journey; and Residential, only for Gold Award participants, staying and working away from home doing a shared activity. Stephanie Price, DofE Director, Wales, said: “Young people doing their DofE across the UK and our volunteers put an estimated £41m back into society in volunteering hours per year. This is a phenomenal figure showing the huge benefit of the DofE to local communities and individuals alike. Through their volunteering activities, our young people show themselves to be active, considerate citizens, shining examples of their generation.” There are currently over 300,000 young people taking part in a DofE programme across the UK through a variety of centres including both state and independent schools, special schools, businesses, prisons, Young Offender Institutions and youth groups.

Crime

Dog owner admits causing suffering to pet with untreated skin disease

Published

14 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Staff Writer

Collie cross German Shepherd left suffering after illness went unaddressed, court told
A CARMARTHEN man has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog after failing to properly address a serious skin condition.

David Allen Murphy, aged 40, of Quay Street, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 11) after previously pleading guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

The court heard that between November 28 and December 28, 2025, Murphy caused unnecessary suffering to a Collie Cross German Shepherd dog named Cora by failing to adequately investigate and address the animal’s skin disease.

Prosecuted by the RSPCA, the charge stated that Murphy either knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that failing to deal with the condition would likely cause suffering to the dog.

Murphy, of Flat 2, 12 Quay Street, entered a guilty plea on May 21.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, with magistrates remanding Murphy on unconditional bail.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23, at 10:00am for sentencing.

Business

Welsh Conservatives demand answers over Tata Steel furnace delays

Published

15 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WELSH CONSERVATIVES have called on the Welsh Government to explain who knew what, and when, about reported delays to Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot.

Shadow Economy, Energy and Planning Minister Janet Finch-Saunders MS raised the issue in the Senedd during an emergency statement following the recent fire at the steelworks.

While much of the focus has been on the fire, reports have suggested that separate concerns about delays to the electric arc furnace may have been known for several weeks.

It was reported on June 7 that Tata Steel had discussed potential delays linked to National Grid connectivity issues with “investors” during a conference call around a month earlier.

Mrs Finch-Saunders is now seeking clarity on whether those investors included the UK Government, which is investing £500m towards the £1.25bn project.

The previous UK Conservative Government also established an £80m transition fund to support workers at risk of losing their jobs. The Welsh Conservatives say they want clarification on whether any of that funding remains available if delays create further financial pressure for affected workers.

Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “If UK Government Ministers were aware of the issue a month ago, were Welsh Government Ministers informed?

“If Welsh Government Ministers were not informed, why not? If they were informed, why did the Economy Minister tell the Senedd that he only became aware of the delay on Monday?

“We now need a clear timeline setting out exactly when concerns first emerged and who was told.