News

Tackling in-work poverty Pembrokeshire creates perfect pairing

Published

2 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]

Charity

New Quay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat rescues stranded 26ft yacht

Published

2 seconds ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEW QUAY RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched on service at 08:32 this morning to assist a 26ft yacht in difficulty a quarter of a mile from New Quay harbour.

Launching with four volunteer crew members, the D-class lifeboat, the Will Morgan, quickly located the vessel, with one person on board.

Simon Rigby, New Quay RNLI’s helm said, “The yacht had lost all means of propulsion, both sail and engine, and was unable to recover a fouled anchor.

“Having assessed the situation we decided that the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow to New Quay harbour. We placed two members of our crew on board, disconnected the anchor chain and began the tow.

“Having safely berthed the yacht alongside the harbour wall, we returned to station just after 09:30.”

Entertainment

Classic car extravaganza returns to Carew Castle this Bank Holiday

Published

6 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ONE of the highlights of the Pembrokeshire calendar is set to return this Bank Holiday, as Carew Castle prepares to host some of the finest classic and vintage cars, motorbikes, and military vehicles from across South Wales.

The Carew Castle Car Show will take place on Monday 6 May, with plenty of entertainment for all the family, including music throughout the day by local folk band ‘Razor Bill’, and a variety of vintage funfair rides and games from Pembrokeshire Attractions.

For an extra cost of £2, younger visitors will also be able to take part in a Brilliant Birds Trail around the Castle

Manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes, said: “We’re delighted to host the ever-popular Car Show at Carew for another year. It’s a wonderful opportunity for enthusiasts and families alike to admire the beauty of classic and vintage vehicles in an equally impressive vintage setting.

“There is no need to book tickets in advance – just turn up on the day to make the most of this fantastic event.”

Nest Tearoom will be open from 10am onwards to serve bacon rolls and hot drinks, with the usual mouth-watering selection of homemade lunches and cakes available throughout the rest of the day. Visitors are welcome to explore the majestic Castle and Tidal Mill during their visit, to find out more about the events and colourful characters that shaped this site’s fascinating history.

While the car show itself is currently at capacity and no longer accepting new entries, anyone interested in securing a spot for their vehicle on the reserve list are encouraged to register their interest by following the link at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/carew-castle/events-at-carew-castle/spring-events.

Carew Castle Car Show will take place from 10am-3pm with the Castle open from 10am-4.30pm. Normal admission charges apply: Adults £8, Concessions £7, Children £6 and a Family Ticket (two adults and two children) £25.

Please note the event may not take place in the event of bad weather. For more information visit www.carewcastle.com or follow Carew Castle’s Facebook page (Carew Castle and Tidal Mill) for event updates.

To learn about other events that are taking place in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this Bank Holiday and throughout the rest of the year, go to www.pembrokeshirecoast.com/events.

Crime

Plea hearing for man accused of assault and strangulation

Published

14 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST man is appearing at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, April 26) charged with assaulting and strangling a woman

Oliver Torkington, 38, of Pembroke Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with two offences last month, and is in Swansea Crown Court today to make his plea, after the local court declined jurisdiction.

Torkington is alleged to have assaulted a woman in St Clears on March 23 and caused her actual bodily harm.

He is also accused of strangling her.

The case came before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 25 and Torkington has been remanded in custody since then.

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