Community

Additional £657k invested in Welsh woodlands by The Woodland Investment Grant

Published

3 years ago

March 26, 2023

THREE woodland projects in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Cardiff are the latest to benefit from a Welsh Government environmental grant programme.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is getting £245,860 for the ‘Llys y Fran’ project in Pembrokeshire.

Carmarthenshire County Council has been awarded £219,397 for its Coed Ynys Dawela project near Brynamman.

And near Cardiff, St Fagans National Museum of History’s ‘Gwyrdd Ni’ project is receiving £191,786.

The money – £657,043 in total, comes from The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) which is run by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

These latest awards brings the overall investment by the TWIG programme since it launched in June 2022 to over £1.7 million – £1,715, 498.

Minister for Climate Change Julie James said: “We all know the importance of having access to green spaces and nature near to our homes and places of work. These projects will not only be of great importance for biodiversity but for the local communities that will benefit, enabling better access to our existing woodlands so more people can use and enjoy.

“As part of our National Forest programme these projects will help to restore and maintain some of Wales’s irreplaceable ancient woodlands, which in time will form a connected network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.”

The TWIG programme provides grants of £40,000 – £250,000 to create, restore and enhance woodlands in Wales.

It is part of the Welsh Government’s National Forest for Wales programme and this is the second round of five funding awards to be made over two years.

Welcoming the announcements, Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales said:

“Funding natural heritage projects which help tackle the effects of climate change and support nature’s recovery is a key priority for The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales. The Woodland Investment Grant in partnership with the Welsh Government is just one of the ways that we are meeting this objective.

“From the creation of new woodlands and the restoration of others, these grants will also contribute to the National Forest for Wales programme, enhance capacity to adapt to the climate crisis and bring direct health benefits to the people and communities involved.”

One project benefitting close to home is run by Welsh Water. They are getting £245,860 for the ‘Llys y Fran’ project in Pembrokeshire. The project will focus on delivering multi-purpose woodlands to create access to them for recreation, tourism, community engagement, education and learning opportunities, as well as enhancing the woodland and creating a wildlife corridor around the reservoir. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water will bring the woodlands up to National Forest of Wales standards and promote tourism, health and wellbeing. Culverts and bridges will be installed to open up a 6.5 mile route to a wider range of visitors including those who require mobility equipment or pushchairs.

Vicky Martin, Head of Visitor Attraction Strategy at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water said: “We are delighted to be awarded this funding which will enable us to bring the woodlands around Llys-y-frân Lake up to National Forest of Wales outcomes allowing us to promote tourism, health, and well-being, whilst also enhancing the biodiversity in a much-loved and valued area.

“Collaboration with the local community is important to Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. This project will support the creation of a forest school and will develop volunteers’ skills and knowledge, along with broadening public access by providing accessible green spaces for the community and visitors.”

Further east in Carmarthenshire, the county council has been awarded £219,397 for the Coed Ynys Dawela project at the Ynys Dawela Nature Park near Brynamman. A mix of semi-ancient woodland and secondary woodland, it provides a unique habitat for a diverse range of wildlife including the marsh fritillary butterfly is a valuable community resource used by a wide range of people and the local primary school. Work will include coppicing of selected areas to improve the structure of the woodland; installing approximately 400m of boardwalk over wet areas; replacing existing bridges with drainage pipes to reduce the around of maintenance required; improving signage to the site and creating a webpage about it.

Cllr. Gareth John, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “This grant funding will create the opportunity to maintain and enhance the biodiversity of the woodland and meadows at Ynys Dawela for the present and for the future.

“Through the use of this fund, we will be able to showcase the incredible diversity of natural life in the woodlands and meadows and, in doing so, create and maintain a space for the whole community to enjoy and cherish.

“Opportunities will be created for the local community to benefit from the investment by offering a wide range of wellbeing activities, which include the chance to learn new woodland and outdoor based skills. Volunteering opportunities will also be created with a mix of citizen science opportunities, volunteer ranger roles, and conservation workdays.”

St Fagans National Museum of History is getting £191,786 for its ‘Gwyrdd Ni’ (Verdure/’Our lush green vegetation’) project to enhance an existing deciduous woodland on its site outside Cardiff. Many of the trees there are over 100-years old, consisting of a mixed broadleaf canopy of oak, elm, sycamore, beech, ash, cherry, and birch. The current ground layer is a fallen mix of bramble, nettle, and fern. The vigorous growth of bramble and hung-up windblown trees restrict access. The project will create a dynamic and interpretative woodland which will be managed not just through the seasons, but as it matures and evolves.

Janet Wilding, Head of Estates, St Fagans Museum of National History said: “We are delighted to receive funding for Gwyrdd Ni project. Thank you to the Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund! The funding from The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) will give our visitors the opportunity to explore Gwyrdd Ni woodland at St Fagans National Museum of History.

“We will be installing an accessible footpath through the woodland to provide a peaceful, wellbeing walk with interpretation panels about the trees and wildlife, supported by the Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund and as part of the National Forest for Wales programme. We will also be providing an area dedicated to school groups to introduce them to wellbeing as well as nature.”

Community

Tesco grant funds surf therapy for young people in Pembrokeshire

Published

11 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A £1,500 grant from Tesco Stronger Starts has helped deliver a surf therapy programme for young people facing mental health challenges in Pembrokeshire.

Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said the funding enabled Tonic Surf to run a ten-week course aimed at improving wellbeing among those aged 14 to 25.

The programme combined surfing with beach-based activities, using the natural coastal environment as a therapeutic setting. Sessions were delivered in partnership with Walkin’ on Water Surf School and supported by clinicians from the Health Board’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Participants received guidance from qualified surf coaches alongside mental health professionals, creating a structured and supportive environment designed to build confidence and resilience.

Organisers said the project helped young people develop coping strategies, strengthen social connections, and support their recovery through positive outdoor experiences.

Claire Rumble, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Tesco Stronger Starts for supporting this local project.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda, and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities said the initiative highlights the value of community funding in providing additional support services beyond core NHS provision.

Photo caption: Community support: Corinda Pengilly, Tesco Charity Champion, with Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer (Pic: Supplied).

Community

Youth hub coming to Pembrokeshire – but location still unknown

Published

13 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New support service confirmed for young people, but exact site yet to be revealed

A NEW youth hub is set to open in Pembrokeshire as part of a major UK Government rollout aimed at helping young people into work — but officials have not yet confirmed where it will be based.

The hub is one of 12 new sites announced across Wales, designed to support 16 to 24-year-olds with access to jobs, training, mental health services and housing advice under one roof.

The Department for Work and Pensions said the hubs will bring together Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, employers and training providers to help young people who are not currently in education, employment or training.

However, while Pembrokeshire has been named as a location, no further detail has been provided on which town or building will host the service.

The Herald understands that such hubs are often based in or alongside existing Jobcentre Plus offices or council-run facilities, but at this stage no confirmation has been given for Pembrokeshire.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Today marks a major boost for young people across Wales.

“We are delivering support in every region, connecting young people with employers and meeting them where they are so they can take the first step into work.”

The announcement also includes plans to hand more control over employment support funding to the Welsh Government, with £20 million already allocated to pilot schemes aimed at tackling economic inactivity.

Minister for Skills Jack Sargeant said the move would allow programmes to be tailored to local communities.

“Decisions about getting people back into work are made by those who know their communities best,” he said.

The new hubs form part of a wider UK-wide plan to ensure every area has access to a Youth Hub, amid concerns about rising numbers of young people not in work or education.

Further details, including the exact location of the Pembrokeshire hub and when it will open, are expected to be announced at a later date.

Community

Thousands of sick and disabled people supported into work as Government hits target

Published

19 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

More than 65,000 people across the UK receive tailored employment support – but questions remain over impact and benefit changes

TENS of thousands of sick and disabled people across the UK – including in Wales – have received personalised employment support under a major Government scheme, according to new figures released this week.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says more than 65,000 people have now been helped through its “Pathways to Work” programme, exceeding a target set in March 2025.

The initiative, delivered through Jobcentres, offers voluntary one-to-one support for people classed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) – a group previously not required to seek employment.

Support or pressure?

Ministers say the scheme is helping to “fix a broken welfare system” by offering tailored advice, training opportunities and routes into employment.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the programme is giving people “a real chance at secure employment” after years of being “written off”.

However, critics have long argued that changes to welfare policy risk placing pressure on vulnerable people, particularly those with long-term health conditions or mental illness.

Around 2.7 million people are currently classed as LCWRA on Universal Credit, including more than 170,000 aged between 18 and 24.

Government data suggests that after two years, around 11.4% of those who received similar support were in work, compared to 8.1% who did not – a modest but measurable increase.

Changes coming in April

The announcement comes ahead of significant changes to Universal Credit due to take effect from April 6.

These include an above-inflation rise in the standard allowance, worth around £295 this year for a single claimant aged 25 or over.

However, the reforms also introduce a lower health-related payment for new claimants – £217.26 per month, compared to the current £429.80 – a move that has already attracted concern from campaigners.

The Government says the changes are designed to “rebalance” the system and encourage more people into work, alongside a wider £3.5 billion investment in employment support.

Real-life impact

The DWP highlighted individual success stories, including one claimant who turned a passion for art into paid work after receiving support from an adviser.

But questions remain about how widely such outcomes can be replicated, particularly in rural areas like Pembrokeshire where access to jobs, transport and specialist services can be limited.

Local picture unclear

While advisers are now based in Jobcentres across Wales, no local breakdown has been provided showing how many people in Pembrokeshire or West Wales have benefited from the scheme.

With economic inactivity and long-term illness rising in many parts of Wales, the real test will be whether programmes like this translate into sustained employment locally.

The Herald understands that further data on regional outcomes may be published later this year.