News
Can you help young people needing care in Pembrokeshire?
THERE are currently 215 children and young people in the care of Pembrokeshire County Council and of those one in five are aged 16 or over.
So, in addition to recruiting foster carers to provide safe and loving homes for children and young people within the county, the Council also wants to hear from people who can provide a stepping stone for young people moving from foster care to independent living.
Some young people leaving care return home or live with friends but others move on to Supported Lodgings accommodation.
Mandy Thomas, Supported Lodgings Coordinator in the Family Placement Team, the Council’s fostering service, said the Supported Lodgings carers play a vital role.
They provide a safe and secure home to young people aged 16 to 21 from which they can work or study without having to worry about living independently before they are ready to do so.
Mandy added: “The young person will need their own bedroom, bed and storage for their personal belongings, access to a kitchen, bathroom and living room and their own key to the front door.
“Their carers help young people develop skills like cooking and budgeting, as well as providing encouragement and emotional support.”
Jane, who is currently being assessed as a Supported Lodgings provider, said: “I was immediately drawn to it given my own childhood and my experience of going through the care system.
“I was initially very apprehensive about whether it would work for me around my lifestyle but also if I would be suitable to provide this kind of support for a young adult.
“It’s hugely important to me that I know I can give a safe place to someone who needs it and share my experience and life lessons with those that may be struggling as I did going through the care system.
“Meeting Mandy for the first time I was instantly put at ease and felt reassured that this scheme is fantastic and that I have so much I can offer.
“I’ve asked many questions to help me fully understand how the scheme works and Mandy has been able to answer everything and has completely put my mind at ease. The process of assessment itself is very thorough and rightly so, but Mandy has explained everything in detail so that I am prepared and understand from beginning to end of how it all works.
“I’m really looking forward to completing what’s left of the assessment and supporting the young adults that really need that safety net and the opportunities in life that everyone deserves.”
Bridget has been providing a home to young people for two years.
She says that people she talks to are surprised by just how much practical and emotional support there is for someone who provides Supported Lodgings.
She added: “There is the misconception that you are just ‘left to get on with it’ which is not the case. Mandy and I meet regularly and there is always someone from the team available to answer any queries.
“The young people who have lived in my home over the two years have been amazing. I’ve been happy to be part of their journey towards independence by providing stability and security in order for them to thrive and succeed with their lives.
“I highly recommend this role and I hope that there are many more within our community who will consider providing this worthwhile and rewarding support to those of our young people who need it too.”
One young person who has benefitted greatly from Supported Lodgings, said: “I was once on the street but my carer gave me a bed and a safe place to live. I now have a job and a dream to invest in properties to secure a future for me and my family.”
Another young man added: “I work part time but am hoping to go back to college and have a career in IT. What meant the most to me was being given the space to be me and have carers understand me and care enough to help me feel at home!”
If you think you can help a young person on their journey to independence and would be interested in finding out more about being a Supported Lodgings carer call 01437 774650 or email [email protected].
Finance
Families urged to claim childcare top-up ahead of summer holidays
A RECORD number of families are using Tax-Free Childcare to cut the cost of childcare, HM Revenue and Customs has said.
The government paid almost £600m in top-up payments through the scheme in 2025-26, with 868,095 families now benefiting.
Tax-Free Childcare allows working parents to receive government support towards approved childcare for children aged 11 and under, or up to 16 if the child is disabled.
For every £8 paid into an online childcare account, the government adds £2. Parents can receive up to £500 every three months for each child, or £1,000 if the child is disabled.
This means families can save up to £2,000 a year per child, or £4,000 for a disabled child.
HMRC is encouraging parents to check whether they are eligible before the summer holidays, when childcare costs often rise.
HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, Myrtle Lloyd said: “I’m so pleased these figures show more families than ever are using Tax-Free Childcare to save on their bills.
“£2,000 is not a small amount and it can make a real difference – especially with the childcare void of the summer holidays approaching.
“If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t miss out, go to GOV.UK to do it today.”
The scheme can be used to pay for approved childcare including childminders, before and after-school clubs, and holiday activity clubs. It can also help cover specialist equipment needed by a childcare provider for a disabled child.
Families may be eligible if they have a child aged 11 or under, or a disabled child aged up to 16, and if both parents — or a single parent — earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage.
Each parent must earn no more than £100,000 a year, and families cannot receive Tax-Free Childcare if they are also receiving Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.
Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside free childcare hours, provided the family meets the eligibility rules.
Parents can check eligibility and apply through GOV.UK.
Community
Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026
SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.
The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.
Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.
His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.
Opening night return
Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.
The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.
The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.
Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.
“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.
“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.
“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”
Global chorus
The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.
The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.
The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.
Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.
The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.
‘Great cultural ambassador’
John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.
“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.
“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.
“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”
Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.
“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.
“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.
“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”
Festival programme
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.
This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.
Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.
Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.
Further information is available at llangollen.net.
Health
Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession
A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.
Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).
The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.
Harassment campaign
Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.
Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.
She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.
Police assaults
The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.
Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.
A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.
Shop theft and XL Bully
Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.
In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.
Restraining orders imposed
District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.
The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.
Jailed for 26 weeks
Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.
Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.
The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.
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