THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE charity shop in Tenby is calling for new volunteers to join its friendly and hardworking team ahead of a busy summer season.

Karen Ward, Assistant General Manager at the Upper Frog Street store, says volunteering has been one of the most rewarding decisions she’s made. Karen, 66, lives in Hundleton and makes the thirty-minute drive to Tenby five days a week.

“I haven’t looked back since joining the team two years ago,” she said. “Our shop is very popular – there’s always someone coming through the door!”

Originally from the Midlands, Karen previously worked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter before moving to West Wales. She spent 22 years working at Kiln Park and returned to retail in 2023.

The grandmother of four added: “The shop is so much fun. We create a great atmosphere for our volunteers – we want everyone to enjoy being here. We love to celebrate birthdays with cake, silly hats, music and a good sing-song. We definitely go over the top!”

Karen says no two days are the same, and there’s always plenty to do. “There’s never a dull moment,” she said. “Some days you’re sorting through donations, other days you’re pricing stock or serving customers. Our manager, Kirsty Gardiner, and I do the back-of-house work, while our wonderful volunteers handle the shop floor.”

From tidying rails and cleaning to dressing windows and helping customers, there’s a job for everyone. “We want the shop to look great and be welcoming – it’s about creating a space people want to come back to,” said Karen.

The shop attracts a wide mix of customers. “We have regulars who visit every day and always find something to buy,” she said. “Holidaymakers pop in too – the kids head for the toys and books, mum browses the clothes, and dad makes a beeline for the furniture.”

The shop also plays an important social role. “Some of our older visitors come in just for a chat,” Karen added. “Sometimes we’re the only people they’ll talk to all day. That ten-minute conversation means the world.”

Window displays are a point of pride for the team. “People often poke their heads in and say, ‘Is this really a charity shop?’” Karen laughed. “Kirsty and I do the windows – we love getting creative with new themes. The volunteers always take the credit when people compliment the display, which is lovely – everyone feels proud.”

Upcoming displays include a colourful spring theme, followed by Easter decorations and then a ‘Glastonbury-style’ summer festival window.

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations of pre-loved items such as clothes, furniture, games, ornaments and music.

Karen said: “We’re a busy shop with a brilliant team, but we really do need more volunteers as we head into summer. There’s no age limit, and no experience is needed – we’ll train you. It’s a great way to gain confidence and new skills, and it looks fantastic on your CV.”

To find out more about volunteering, donating, or shopping at Wales Air Ambulance stores, visit: walesairambulance.com/shops

ANGLE RNLI were called out twice on Sunday (April 5) to separate incidents on the water — including a report of a jet skier in difficulty at Hobbs Point and an early morning rescue of a yacht fouled on a mooring in Dale.

The second call of the day came at 5:57pm, when the all-weather lifeboat was launched following several 999 calls reporting a person clinging to the jetty piles at Hobbs Point, Pembroke Dock.

The crew made best speed to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the individual had managed to get themselves out of trouble. A welfare check was carried out, and with no further assistance required, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

Earlier that morning at 6:33am, the crew had launched to assist the crew of an 11-metre yacht in Dale, which had become fouled on a mooring buoy overnight. During their efforts to free the vessel, the yacht’s crew had also lost their dinghy.

The lifeboat reached the scene within ten minutes, and a crew member was transferred aboard the yacht to help resolve the situation. The yacht had been secured by the bow to another buoy, and after several attempts, the RNLI crew member successfully cut the yacht free.

To avoid further risk to the yacht’s crew, the lifeboat’s inflatable Y boat was launched to recover the lost dinghy. With the vessel freed and the dinghy recovered, the yacht crew carried out checks to ensure their steering and propeller were functioning correctly before continuing their journey.

The lifeboat was back at station and ready for further service by 8:00am.

WELSH GOVERNMENT FACES SCRUTINY OVER AGENCY SPENDING

A RECENT investigation has revealed that 16 out of 22 Welsh councils spent over £78 million on agency staff for supply teachers and teaching assistants during the 2023/24 academic year. The data, obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the Welsh Conservatives, highlights the growing reliance on temporary staff in schools across Wales.​

The Welsh Conservatives have criticized the Labour-led Welsh Government for not tracking this expenditure and argue that funds would be better invested in recruiting and retaining permanent teaching staff. Shadow Education Secretary Natasha Asghar MS stated, “The staggering costs incurred by councils across Wales on agency staff makes it difficult to see any value for money from the taxpayers’ perspective.”​

Challenges in recruitment and retention

An Estyn report from earlier this year underscores the challenges in teacher recruitment and retention, particularly in secondary schools and Welsh-medium education. The report notes a significant decline in the number of applicants for teaching positions, with some schools needing to advertise multiple times to fill vacancies. This shortage has led to situations where staff are teaching outside their areas of expertise, potentially impacting the quality of education.

Government initiatives and responses

In response to these challenges, the Welsh Government has implemented measures to support supply staff and address recruitment issues. A new national framework contract for agency staff was established in September 2023, aiming to enhance professional learning opportunities and employment safeguards for supply teachers .

Additionally, the government has initiated a pilot National Supply Pool in Ynys Môn, allowing supply teachers to be directly employed by local authorities, granting them access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. While this model shows promise, its broader implementation across Wales faces logistical challenges .​

Union perspectives

Teaching unions have expressed concerns over the high expenditure on agency staff. A representative from a teaching union described the £78 million spent as a “shocking waste of money,” emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to staffing shortages.

Local authority views

Local councils, responsible for staffing in schools, have defended the use of agency staff as a necessary measure to cover absences and maintain educational continuity. A Cardiff Council spokesperson noted that schools employ agency staff for various reasons, including covering short-term absences and meeting temporary demands during recruitment processes.

Conclusion

The significant expenditure on agency staff highlights the ongoing challenges in teacher recruitment and retention in Wales. While the Welsh Government has taken steps to address these issues, including new frameworks and pilot programs, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. Stakeholders across the education sector continue to call for comprehensive strategies to ensure sustainable staffing and high-quality education for students.