News

Pembrokeshire launch of first young carers’ ID card

Published

4 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]

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

6 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

News

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

45 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.

Health

Ambulance delays and blocked beds putting Welsh patients at risk, watchdog warns

Published

53 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AMBULANCE handover delays, long waits in emergency departments and delays discharging patients from hospital are continuing to put people at risk across Wales, Audit Wales has warned.

The public spending watchdog said urgent and emergency care remains under “constant pressure” despite extra funding and new policies aimed at improving joined-up working between the NHS, ambulance service, councils and social care providers.

In an article published today, Monday (Jun 22), Audit Wales said its work since 2024 had examined how health boards and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust manage demand for urgent and emergency care, as well as how health boards and local authorities support timely discharge from hospital.

It found that pressures across the system are increasing patient safety risks and driving up costs.

Key problems identified include ambulance handover delays, lengthy waits in emergency departments, underused new services despite extra funding, and delayed hospital discharges which continue to result in hundreds of thousands of lost bed days each year.

Audit Wales also said workforce problems across health and social care remain a major factor in delayed discharges.

The watchdog warned that data is still not being shared effectively across the system, making it harder for public bodies to make informed decisions and manage pressure.

The findings will add to growing concern about the state of urgent and emergency care in Wales, with patients, families and frontline staff repeatedly warning that delays in A&E and problems arranging social care packages are leaving people waiting too long for treatment or stuck in hospital after they are medically fit to leave.

Audit Wales said staff and leaders across the system had made clear that “something must change”.

It has set out six questions for the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and local authorities to consider as they look at how urgent and emergency care can be improved.

The Auditor General for Wales is the independent statutory external auditor of the devolved Welsh public sector and is responsible for auditing most public money spent in Wales.

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board for comment.