News

Welsh charity’s efforts for independent living earn top UK health award

Published

9 months ago

March 5, 2024

CARE & REPAIR CYMRU, a Welsh charity, has been honored with a prestigious national award for its impactful endeavors in aiding vulnerable older individuals and those with disabilities to maintain independent living within their own homes. The judges were notably impressed by the organization’s initiatives to facilitate the smooth transition of older individuals returning home from hospitals, thereby reducing hospital readmissions due to substandard housing conditions and alleviating strain on local NHS services.

Selected from a pool of over 500 charities across the UK, Care & Repair Cymru (CRC) has been named one of the ten winners of the 2024 GSK IMPACT Awards, conducted in collaboration with The King’s Fund. This recognition, now in its 27th year, celebrates excellence within the charity sector, specifically acknowledging the exceptional contributions of small to medium-sized charities dedicated to enhancing people’s health and well-being in the UK.

As a recipient of this esteemed award, Care & Repair Cymru will receive £40,000 in unrestricted funding along with expert support and leadership development opportunities facilitated by The King’s Fund, a leading health and care charity.

Extensive research underscores the profound impact of living conditions on health and well-being. Established in 1991, Care & Repair Cymru’s initiatives encompass aiding in hospital discharge processes and averting hospital admissions by enhancing and adapting the residences of those at risk. Their services are comprehensive, person-centered, and tailored to individual needs.

In Wales, where 85% of older people are homeowners, there’s a strong desire among the elderly population to age in place. However, Wales boasts the oldest housing stock in the UK, with over a quarter of all housing built before 1919. Substandard or unsafe housing elevates the risk of falls, with approximately 50% of individuals aged 80 and above experiencing at least one fall annually. Moreover, inadequate housing conditions incur substantial costs to the Welsh NHS, with excess cold, dampness, and mold alone costing over £95 million annually. A significant portion of excess winter deaths among older individuals can be attributed to respiratory illnesses stemming from living in cold homes.

As the national body overseeing the efforts of 13 Care & Repair agencies spanning all 22 counties in Wales, Care & Repair Cymru’s Managing Better program targets some of the most vulnerable older individuals. This initiative offers a range of free services aimed at enhancing the independence and safety of individuals living with conditions such as dementia, sensory loss, or those who have suffered a stroke.

The award judges lauded Care & Repair Cymru for spearheading the Hospital to Healthier Home program, which aims to mitigate delayed discharge from hospitals and reduce readmission rates. Through close collaboration with NHS staff, Care & Repair agencies swiftly identify patients residing in unsuitable housing conditions and promptly implement necessary adaptations, free of charge, ensuring safe and timely discharge.

Additionally, the charity’s advocacy efforts spotlight the housing needs of Welsh homeowners and underscore the detrimental effects of poor housing conditions on the health of older individuals. By collating and presenting data, CRC contributes to evidence-based policy enhancements and actively supports endeavors toward establishing a new right to affordable and adequate housing.

Data compiled by the charity illustrates the substantial impact of their initiatives, with 62,607 older individuals supported to maintain independent living at home in the 2022/23 period. The agencies conducted £18.3 million worth of housing repair and improvement work, completed 20,438 adaptations, and secured £9.5 million in unclaimed benefits for service users.

Katie Pinnock, Director of UK Charitable Partnerships at GSK, emphasized the pivotal role of housing in enhancing people’s health and reducing hospitalizations. She commended Care & Repair Cymru for their steadfast advocacy, collaborative partnerships, and innovative programs that not only support vulnerable individuals but also alleviate pressure on overstretched NHS and social care services.

Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Chris Jones, CEO of Care & Repair Cymru, underscored the organization’s commitment to advocating for healthy homes and providing essential support to thousands of older individuals in Wales, thereby easing the burden on NHS services.

The GSK IMPACT Awards program aims to foster leadership development within the charity sector, and all winners are invited to participate in a tailored leadership development program administered by The King’s Fund.

News

2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards Finalists announced

Published

2 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE finalists for the 2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been announced.

In total, 252 nominations were received and, following a selection meeting, the judging panel has named 39 finalists.

Matt Freeman, Manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide nominations.

“Every year it gets harder to narrow the nominations down to three finalists and once again the quality of the nominees was enormously high.

“The number and quality of nominees just shows the strength of the sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire.

All the finalists will be invited to a grand presentation ceremony at Folly Farm on Friday, November 29th, where the winners will be announced.

The ceremony will also reveal the winners of two further categories – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.

The awards are organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport development team.

They are sponsored by Sport Pembrokeshire, Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio.

The awards aim to recognise those people who have excelled in sport over the last 12 months, or who have given their time to coaching and organising grass roots sport.

Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2024 – Finalists

(In alphabetical order)

Coach of the Year

Francesca Morgan (Swimming)

Philippa Gale (Netball)

Tom Richards (Tennis)

Female Sporting Achievement

Gracie Griffiths (Race Walking)

Helen Carrington (Powerlifting)

Seren Thorne (Shooting)

Male Sporting Achievement

Jeremy Cross (Tennis)

Rhys Llewellyn (Athletics)

Sam Coleman (Powerboat Racing)

Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement

Carter Heywood (Football)

Hugo Boyce (Cycling)

Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement

Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)

Chloe John-Driscoll (Shooting)

Ffion Bowen (Football)

Disability Sport Award

Evelyn Thomas (Powerlifting)

Jules King (Crossfit)

Marc Evans (Cricket)

Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award

Finnley Walters (Boxing)

Jac Johnson (Gymnastics)

Lewis Crawford (Boccia)

Unsung Hero

John Laugharne (Rugby)

Owen Shanklin (Pool)

Sue Christopher (Surf Lifesaving)

Team Achievement of the Year

Alan Evans, Andrew Evans & Michael John (Short Mat Bowls)

Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club

Pembrokeshire County Bowls Team

Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year

Chaos Thunder U12’s Netball Team

Hakin United AFC u16’s

Neyland Yacht Club Junior Sailing Team

Young Volunteer of the Year

Anna May (Tennis & Surfing)

Caitlin Chapman (Netball)

George Richards (Cricket)

Club Organiser

Nadine Tyrrell (Gymnastics)

Nick Shelmerdine (Cricket)

Paul Hudson (Short Mat Bowls)

Club of the Year

Camrose AFC Women & Girls Football

Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club

Strength Academy Wales Cymru

Pictured above: The 2023 Club of the Year winner – Pembroke Cricket Club.

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

3 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

6 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.