News

Pembrokeshire launch of first young carers’ ID card

Published

3 years ago

March 17, 2022

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL and Action for Children are proud to welcome the Pembrokeshire launch of the first Young Carers ID Card- part of a new national scheme to ensure that young carers get the recognition they deserve and the support that they need.

The national Young Carer I.D. Card, funded by Welsh Government, is also being simultaneously launched across Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. This will facilitate a coordinated regional approach in supporting young carers, making it easier for them to access the help they need, when it is needed.

It is estimated that in Wales we have over 30,000 young carers, which equates to one in every twelve young people across the country. A young carer is someone that cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

In Pembrokeshire, Young Carer I.D. cards will be issued by Action for Children to young people up to the age of 18 who have an unpaid caring role.

The new I.D. card will give young carers a quick way to inform professionals such as teachers, pharmacists and GPs, that they have a caring responsibility. The Young Carer .I.D card therefore offers a discreet but effective way for young carers to identify themselves without having to publically share details about their caring role.

The Young Carer I.D. card will also hold additional benefits, including fantastic offers from local venues such as Scolton Manor who are currently offering a free annual car parking pass to Young Carer I.D. card holders, as well as a free hot drink from their café. Young Carers who hold a valid I.D. card can also access a six month free membership at their local leisure centre via the Passport to Leisure scheme.

“It’s really good to have this card,” said a young carer. “It means I don’t have to explain about my home life to everyone, I can just show them my card. It will make it so much easier when I’m in school so that the teachers can help me and understand. I’m looking forward to using the discounts as well.”

Action for Children work hard to raise awareness, identify and provide direct support to children and young people who have a caring role here in Pembrokeshire. Action for Children will automatically be issuing Young Carer I.D. cards to all known young carers currently registered and engaging with them for support.

“We are proud to be implementing an ID card that will help young carers in a variety of practical ways,” said Vikki Phillips- Action for Children.

“This card will not only make the young carers lives a little easier by not having to explain their caring responsibilities, but it will also raise awareness of Young Carers within Pembrokeshire and help to identify hidden Young Carers. The ID card will also support the Young Carers and give them a sense of belonging by offering local discounts for social activities.”

Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Julie Morgan said: “Too often the ability of a young carer to achieve and progress in their studies or have a life alongside caring is hindered because schools, health professionals and others don’t know who or what a young carer is, or how to help them. I want young carers to be able to identify themselves to others in a quick and easy way, so they can get the right help and support they need.

“It has been a particularly difficult past year, however it is so important to recognise that being a young carers is not a negative – through their role a young person can acquire a wide range of life skills; from resilience in the face of everyday pressures, to time management and the ability to focus on what’s most important.”

For more information on local support available for young carers, or to register for a Young Carer I.D. card, please contact Vikki at Action for Children Tel: 01437 761330 or Email: [email protected]

Business

Wolfscastle Country Hotel crowned Wales’ best boutique wedding venue

Published

44 mins ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa has been named Wales’ Best Boutique Wedding Venue for 2024 at the prestigious Welsh National Wedding Awards.

The ceremony, held on Sunday (Nov 10) at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, welcomed more than 600 guests for its 13th annual celebration. Thousands of votes were cast by brides, grooms, and supporters to determine the winners from over 300 shortlisted nominees.

Double victory

The Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa not only won the regional title for west Wales but also secured the national accolade for the second time in three years.

Known for its glamorous reception spaces and elegant ceremony room, the hotel offers a comprehensive bridal package. This includes wedding accommodation and a private spa experience featuring a hot tub, sauna, and various treatments.

Celebrating success

Taking to social media, the hotel expressed gratitude to its guests and staff for their role in achieving this prestigious honour.

Hotel owner Andy Stirling said:
“We’re very proud to have been nominated and voted winners in both our local and national categories.

“I have the pleasure of seeing how tirelessly Lowri, and my wife Mandy Stirling, our wedding coordinators, work on every wedding to tailor the experience to suit the couples we have joining us.

“We pride ourselves on offering exquisite in-house catering provided by head chef Seb, head pastry chef Adama, and our excellent kitchen team, backed up by first-class table service from our highly experienced waiting staff.

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support of our guests and couples who have wedded with us in helping achieve this award.

“I know that myself and the team all look forward to hosting many more phenomenal weddings in the future.”

Welsh National Wedding Awards

The awards celebrate the best wedding venues and services across Wales, with attendees from all regions of the country.

***Celebrations: Andy and Mandy Stirling with wedding co-ordinator Lowri Nicholas (Pic: Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa)***

Community

Special guests for Torch showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’

Published

8 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY was the most appropriate day for the screening before a Pembrokeshire audience of a remarkable film, narrated by the last surviving ‘Dambuster’ of the RAF’s 617 Squadron.

The RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods, and World War II Veteran Duncan Hilling, of Saundersfoot, were chief guests at the Torch Theatre for the showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’, one of three large dams in Germany attacked by 617 Squadron in May 1943.

They were joined by service representatives, air cadets and many locals – the evening being a fundraising event for the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincolnshire.

Exquisitely created in digital format, the film describes the story of Avro Lancaster bomber AJ-T which attacked the Sorpe Dam, with the narration by the late Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson, who died in 2022. He was the bomb aimer on the aircraft which dropped an ‘Upkeep’ bomb on the dam.

It is the culmination of six years of work by film producer Andrew Panton and Pitor Forkasiewicz and is now part of the IBCC archive. Also shown was a short film ‘Remembering the Avro Lancaster’ in which four wartime aircrew visit a preserved Lancaster at a Lincolnshire museum. The film was launched that day by the IBCC, with the Torch audience being the first to see a live screening.

The event was organised by Andrew Panton’s brother, Ian, of St Davids, who commented: “There was no doubt that many found this a very special occasion for Remembering Them, and so many others, on Remembrance Sunday.”

On display during the evening was a Lancaster bomb aimer’s panel, re-created by Dr Andy Watkin, a Trustee of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

23 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.