News

Tackling in-work poverty Pembrokeshire creates perfect pairing

Published

4 years ago

November 16, 2021

Lana Watkins (right) showing Jane Davies (left) how it is done at her place of work, Kilgetty Co-op.

TACKLING in-work Poverty Pembrokeshire (TPP) has supported and connected two well-suited participants, supporting the pair to return to employment after lockdown.

TPP, which has been supported by the European Social Fund, through the Welsh Government, aims to improve the prospects and earning potential of people who experience the effects of in-work poverty, including disability or long-term absence from work.

Lana Watkins, who has Down’s syndrome and additional support needs, was a team member at her local Co-op in Kilgetty when the first Covid-19 lockdown began.

It was necessary to implement some extra support to help her ease more comfortably into the shop’s new Covid measures. The TPP team were keen to support Lana so that she could return to a work environment that she loves.

Mary Howes (Quality and Performance Supervisor, TPP) offered Lana essential advice for her return to work and obtained funding for a support worker and travel costs from Access to Work, a Department of Work and Pensions initiative that provide workplace support for

people with a disability or health condition.

With these accommodations in place, the team set about finding a suitable support worker for Lana.

Fortunately, the team already had a suitable candidate in mind. Jane Davies had been referred to the TPP project after a period of absence from her previous employment which, she described, had knocked her confidence.

Jane hoped to find an opportunity that would offer her a better work-life balance. With the help of Michelle Workman (Employment Liaison Officer, TPP), Jane had taken part in some in-house confidence- building sessions, where she identified her employment strengths.

Her development through this process and her relevant skill set made Jane the most suitable candidate for the role.

Jane and Lana formed a perfect match, and their pairing meant that both participants were able to return to employment. David Darracott, manager of Kilgetty Co-op, said he is “delighted with the support, we are pleased to work in partnership with TPP to provide employment opportunities in the community” and that Jane has “fitted in well and is excellent at supporting Lana, who is a popular member of the Co-op store team here in the local community.”

Jane and Lana are both pleased with their return to employment. Talking about her journey with TPP and Co-op Kilgetty, Jane says she “cannot praise [her] mentor and other staff members enough for all the help received” and she feels “so much more confident and valued.”

Lana shared a sentiment that many of us can relate to following the unfamiliarity of life in lockdown: “I am glad to be back in work with my friends”.

Employability Pembrokeshire is the single point of access for people looking to develop employment skills and get into work.

The team at Employability Pembrokeshire provide one-to-one support and additional provisions, including access to work applications and complementary therapies.

They also work in partnership with employers who can offer opportunities and initiatives, which can help people to develop skills needed for employment.

Employment can have a big impact on our wellbeing. Alongside improving income, employment can provide people with purpose and value, and improve social inclusion and connections with others.

It can be difficult for people to feel that they have value to offer and that change is possible, even in the face of barriers that feel too big to overcome.

If you are looking to improve your employment prospects please contact Employability Pembrokeshire for support:

Tel: 01437 776609

Email: [email protected]

Community

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

45 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Charity

Two Welsh families fund Childline across the UK on Christmas Day

Published

1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Staff Writer

Joint £40,000 gift ensures vital support is available when children need it most

TWO Cardiff families have joined forces to fund the NSPCC’s Childline service across the whole of the UK on Christmas Day, ensuring children have somewhere to turn during one of the toughest times of the year.

The Peterson family and the Bowles family are each donating £20,000 as part of the charity’s One Unforgettable Day project. Their combined £40,000 contribution will cover the entire cost of running Childline for 24 hours on 25 December.

Childline operates 12 bases nationwide and offers a free, confidential service to anyone under 19, available day and night, 365 days a year. The festive period is often one of the most demanding for counsellors and volunteers; between 24 December 2024 and 4 January 2025, Childline delivered 4,261 counselling sessions.

Young people reach out to Childline for a range of reasons at Christmas, including mental health struggles, family tensions, financial worries, loneliness, and increased risks of abuse or domestic violence. With schools closed and regular support networks unavailable, demand for help typically rises.

Childline relies heavily on donations, fundraising and charitable partnerships. The support of Alan, Maggie and Hywel Peterson, and Nathan and Claire Bowles and their four children, will ensure counsellors are available throughout Christmas Day for any young person who needs them.

Hywel Peterson MBE, Chair of the NSPCC Cymru Fundraising Board, said:
“It’s an honour to help fund Childline across the whole of the UK this Christmas. This joint donation will ensure our dedicated staff and volunteers are there to support any child who needs us.”

Cardiff entrepreneur Nathan Bowles added:
“We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for some children, so our family is delighted to be joining forces with the Petersons this year to support this vital service.”

Louise Israel, Childline team manager at NSPCC Cymru’s Cardiff base, said:
“While children and young people need Childline all year round, we speak to many who find this time of year particularly difficult. It is only with the support of such generous people as the Peterson and Bowles families that our staff and volunteers can continue to be here throughout the Christmas holidays. This kindness will genuinely make a difference.”

Children can call Childline free on 0800 11 11 or visit www.childline.org.uk.
Anyone concerned about a child’s welfare can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk for advice.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include: