Youth-led ‘Think Outside the Block’ toolkit rolled out to secondary schools across Pembrokeshire

A wNEW mental health and wellbeing resource designed by young people for young people has been launched in Pembrokeshire to mark Children’s Mental Health Week.

The county’s Children and Young People’s Rights Office (CYPRO) has unveiled Think Outside the Block – an interactive booklet and game aimed at helping pupils better understand emotional health and feel more confident talking about it.

The resource, launched this week (Feb 9–15), encourages open discussion, challenges common misconceptions and builds awareness around issues including anxiety, self-esteem, neurodiversity and general wellbeing.

Importantly, the project has been created by members of the Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly, working alongside CYPRO and the Primary Mental Health and School In-Reach teams.

The idea grew out of the county-wide “What Matters to You?” consultation, where young people identified mental health and emotional wellbeing as one of their top concerns. Participants said terms linked to mental health and neurodiversity are often used without clear understanding, which can create confusion and stigma.

Think Outside the Block aims to tackle that by using accessible language and interactive activities to help children explore key topics and develop the vocabulary they need to speak openly about how they feel.

Over the coming days, CYPRO will distribute the resource to secondary schools across the county. Staff will be able to use it in classrooms, youth settings and dedicated wellbeing sessions.

A spokesperson for CYPRO said: “This project has been led by young people, for young people. Their voices and experiences have shaped every part of this resource.

“We are delighted to share it with schools across the county and support meaningful conversations about mental health, emotional health and wellbeing.”

The Youth Assembly continues to play a central role in representing the views of young people locally, with this latest initiative described as a strong example of co-production in action..

Picture: Members of the Youth Assembly launch the Think Outside the Block resource (Pic: Supplied).

Party secures third county councillor in Pembrokeshire after by-election victory

PLAID CYMRU has gained the Fishguard North East seat on Pembrokeshire County Council after Billy Shaw topped the poll in this week’s by-election.

Shaw secured 253 votes — almost double that of the second-placed candidate — to be declared the new county councillor for the ward.

The win means Plaid Cymru now has three representatives on the authority, alongside Rhys Sinnett and Michael Williams.

The by-election was called following the death of former councillor Jordan Ryan, whose passing prompted tributes across the community.

Clear margin of victory

Official results show Shaw comfortably ahead of the field, with Caleb Churchill of the Welsh Liberal Democrats finishing second on 135 votes. Peter John of Reform UK came third with 95.

Labour’s Paul Howe polled 83, while independent candidate Teresa Tannahill received 79 votes. Brian Murphy of the Welsh Conservative Party took 69, and independent Adrian Tyrrell 35.

Turnout was 48.8% from an electorate of 1,537.

‘Now the hard work begins’

Councillor Shaw thanked residents for their support and said he was ready to begin work immediately.

He said: “I would like to thank all of the residents of Fishguard North East for electing me to represent them as their County Councillor. I take over the mantle after the passing away of the previous incumbent, Jordan Ryan, whose passing shocked us all. He was an excellent ambassador for Fishguard. Now the hard work begins.”

Ceredigion MS Elin Jones said Shaw knew the area well and would serve the community with “passion and integrity”.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth described the result as “a big win in Pembrokeshire for a true community champion”.

Councillor Shaw will now represent Fishguard North East residents at County Hall in Haverfordwest.

WALES could need nearly nine thousand extra homes a year over the next five years, according to new figures published by the Welsh Government, as ministers warn that homelessness and overcrowding are driving a sharp rise in housing pressure.

In a written statement on Thursday (Feb 12), Housing and Local Government Secretary Jayne Bryant set out fresh “2025-based” estimates showing both existing shortfalls and future demand for homes across the country.

The data suggests there is already an unmet need for around 9,400 homes in Wales – a figure that has jumped by 64% since the last assessment in 2019. Officials say the increase is largely due to more households living in temporary accommodation or unsuitable housing.

Five-year demand spike

On top of that backlog, analysts estimate that between 7,800 and 9,300 additional homes will be needed every year between July 2025 and June 2030. The central estimate stands at 8,700 annually.

Most of that demand – about 65% – is expected to be for market housing, with the remaining 35% for affordable homes. However, all of the current backlog is assumed to require affordable provision.

Ministers say higher household growth projections are behind the rise, with more people living alone and demographic changes increasing the number of properties required overall.

Bryant said the figures would form part of the evidence base for future planning and housing policy, adding that they are not formal building targets but an indication of likely need.

Pressure felt locally

For communities in west Wales, including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, the numbers are likely to intensify debate around where new homes should be built and who they are for.

Rural towns have long complained of young families being priced out, rising rents and limited social housing, while councils face growing temporary accommodation costs for homeless households.

The Herald understands that several local authorities are already struggling to keep pace with demand, with waiting lists stretching into the thousands and increasing use of hotels and short-term lets to house families in crisis.

Slower growth long term

Looking further ahead, the government expects the pace of new need to slow gradually over the next 20 years as household growth stabilises.

Officials have also updated the way the figures are calculated, including new assumptions about rent levels and incomes, and presenting existing need as a single total rather than spreading it over several years.

The estimates will help inform future reviews of Wales’ national planning framework and wider housing strategy.

But for many families currently in overcrowded homes or temporary accommodation, the message is immediate: thousands more homes are required – and quickly – if the housing crisis is to ease.