News

Bute Energy announces charity partnerships to make an impact that matters in Wales

Published

2 years ago

April 5, 2023

BUTE ENERGY says that it is proud to be supporting The DPJ Foundation and St David’s Hospice Care as its official charities, for a partnership that will be in place for three years.

This launches the first charity partnership project at Bute Energy, which aims to help people right across Wales through key themes of support, including mental health, rural support, cost of living and hospices. The charities will benefit from a full package of support, and the partnership is of mutual benefit to all parties. Both charities will also help staff at Bute Energy improve wellbeing and sense of connection to the community.

The team at Bute Energy nominated 19 charities they felt passionate about to be a potential charity partner for the company. A shortlist was created based on alignment with the organisations themes and each charity was invited to apply. Votes were counted to select the successful two:-

The DPJ Foundation, based in Carmarthen and work right across Wales. The charity support those in the agricultural sector with poor mental health by providing support, spreading awareness and training those in farming to be aware of poor mental health and its impact within communities.

St David’s Foundation Hospice Care, based in Newport. They provide a range of services to patients and their families throughout their journey of terminal illness. A holistic, family support approach is available from point of referral onwards. Services are offered free of charge throughout Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and within South and Mid Powys for people facing a progressive life-limiting illness which is no longer curable.

Catryn Newton, Community Benefit Director at Bute Energy, said: “Our goal is to ensure we work closely with people right across Wales to identify the areas where there’s a need to deliver direct benefits. It’s our pleasure to welcome our selected charities to the Bute Energy family, as we work alongside them to identify and help them access skills through volunteering, staff fundraising and financial support for their projects. Our team are eager to start volunteering with the chosen charities, as well as providing skilled support, assisting with grant applications, social media activity and business planning, to name but a few.

“Partnering with organisations and communities in the locations in which we operate is important to us, and working with our charity partners not only give our staff the opportunity to support their communities, but it also helps us develop our knowledge, enabling us to deliver more inclusive community benefits to groups, charities and organisations in Wales.”

Kate Miles, Charity Manager at The DPJ Foundation, added: “The DPJ Foundation is really pleased to have been chosen by Bute Energy staff as one of their charities that they will fundraise for over the coming three years. For a small charity like the DPJ Foundation, being chosen means we will have the opportunity to reach more people with our lifesaving service, as every pound raised makes a real difference. It will also allow more people to find out about the work that we do with the agricultural community in Wales and has already started more conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

“At the DPJ Foundation, we support people in agriculture who are struggling with their mental health through our confidential Share the Load helpline and counselling service. It costs us around £1,000 a month to run the telephone and text helplines, which is why we are so pleased to have been selected as one of the charities that Bute Energy staff will be supporting. We have heard some of the great ideas that Bute staff have come up with for raising money for us and the other chosen charities, so are excited to see what they will do.”

Emma Saysell, Chief Executive of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We are thankful to Bute Energy for selecting us as one of their charities for a three-year partnership which allow us to forge a great working relationship to not only raise funds but also educate the staff on our many free services that we provide locally to patients and their families. We are aware that staff have their own innovative fundraising ideas which we look forward to hearing more about, as well as encouraging the team to look at our extensive calendar of events that we organise.”

Bute Energy is based in Wales and is acting now to tackle the climate emergency, energy crisis, and cost-of-living crisis, by powering Wales with clean, green energy. Bute Energy’s Community Benefits Team are leading on delivering Community Benefits under five themes – Cost of living support, Recreation & Health, Education, Environment & Culture, and Employability. The company’s investment in this area demonstrates the commitment to maximising the benefits for Welsh communities, with above industry standard levels of financial support.

To read more about Bute Energy, visit the website, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Education

Excellent progress on the construction of new lower school building at Portfield School

Published

1 hour ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PUPILS from Portfield School have had the exciting opportunity to leave their mark on history as work continues at pace at their fantastic new school.

The pupils attended an event to mark the reaching of the highest point of the new building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony. The event gave pupils a chance to sign one of the first steel beams, and leaving handprints on a wall, symbolising their role at the heart of the school community and the bright future ahead.

The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and was attended by staff, pupils, governors, senior Council officers and officers from the project team to celebrate the key milestone.

Headteacher Sarah Hartley said: “We were thrilled to involve our pupils in this important moment. The new building represents a new chapter for Portfield School, and it’s wonderful that our children could be part of its foundations.”

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr. Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased at the progress being made.

“Whilst I was unable to attend the event myself, my colleagues have shared with me their experience of the event, and the excellent progress being made on the new building at the school.

“This development will provide much needed modern, inclusive accommodation for the learners, and I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Portfield School will be in a position to move into the building in December 2025.”

Following their visit, pupils made the following comments: “We had to wear protective clothing before entering the building site. Being able to write my name on one of the walls in the new building was really cool. I am very grateful to have been chosen to write my name in the new build it is extremely cool. Even though I am leaving this year my name will be there for ever.”

“Oh it was fun! I put my hand in paint and then put it on the wall.”

The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Capital programme.

Charity

Woman spared jail after drunken assault on two police officers

Published

1 hour ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman battling a complex range of mental health issues has narrowly avoided prison after spitting at and assaulting two police officers while heavily intoxicated.

Elisha Callen, 25, of Glenview Avenue, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week for sentencing after admitting two counts of assaulting emergency workers and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

The court heard that on April 21, Callen was found in a severely intoxicated state on Larch Road, Milford Haven. Officers attempted to calm her, but she became increasingly aggressive.

“She was told to behave herself, but she failed,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.

Following her arrest, Callen lashed out at officers at the station—striking one and spitting in the face of another.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, one of the officers said: “As a police officer, we expect to face conflict on a daily basis, but I don’t expect to be spat on by someone I’ve never met before.”

Callen later told officers she had no recollection of the incident.

Her solicitor, Tom Lloyd, urged magistrates to impose a suspended sentence, arguing she had significant mental health issues and was engaging with support services.

“Letting her attempt to seek help on her own hasn’t worked,” he said. “If you look at the marks on her neck and hands, you can see this is someone with far more going on than just anxiety and depression.”

“This is an individual with complex needs who is extremely upset by what happened and wants to apologise to every officer involved,” he added.

Magistrates imposed an 18-week custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months. Callen must also comply with a mental health treatment requirement, attend 25 rehabilitation activity days with drug and alcohol support, and complete a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.

“I can’t emphasise enough that this is your last chance,” the presiding magistrate warned. “You’ve come that close to custody.”

Callen was also ordered to pay £85 costs, a £154 victim surcharge, and £100 in compensation to each of the two officers.

As she left court, Callen said: “Thank you so much. This won’t happen again. I just need support.”

Charity

Blue Lagoon to open for charity event during May half-term

Published

3 hours ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Fundraiser to support Milford Youth Matters and celebrate community spirit

BLUESTONE’S Blue Lagoon Water Park will be opening its doors to the public for a special charity evening this May half-term – with every penny raised going to support a local youth charity.

The event, which takes place on Tuesday 27 May at 5:30pm, is part of the Bluestone Foundation’s popular community events programme. Up to 600 local residents will be welcomed to enjoy a fun-filled evening at the park, while raising funds for Milford Youth Matters – a third-sector organisation supporting young people in Pembrokeshire.

This will be the third Blue Lagoon charity event of the year. The two previous evenings raised a combined total of £7,854 for the Megan Starr Foundation in February and Fishguard and Goodwick’s POINT youth trust in April.

The Bluestone Foundation – the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort – was created in 2010 to support environmental, economic and social initiatives across the county. Through its Community Events and Community Fund schemes, it has awarded more than £250,000 to local projects to date.

Milford Youth Matters works with young people aged 11 to 25, offering vocational training, volunteering, and work-based learning opportunities alongside social activities. The charity has already supported over 500 young people across the county.

Dayle Gibby, Co-ordinator at Milford Youth Matters, said:
“We’re all about investing in young people. The support from the Bluestone Foundation means we can evolve and try new activities, reach new audiences, and remove financial barriers that often stand in the way of young people’s development.

“In recent years, we’ve developed a strong relationship with Bluestone. Many of the young people we support now work there, which is a great example of how our work is helping young people gain the skills they need for employment – right here in Pembrokeshire.”

Mike Slack from the Bluestone Foundation added:
“We’re looking forward to hosting our third charity event of the year at the Blue Lagoon. These evenings are a great opportunity for local families to enjoy themselves while supporting brilliant causes. Milford Youth Matters is a fantastic organisation, and we’re proud to help them continue their vital work.”

More information about the Bluestone Foundation can be found at:
https://www.bluestonewales.com/about-us/bluestone-foundation