Community

PLANED takes top regional award for health and social care

Published

2 years ago

March 20, 2024

LUCY Cummings from PLANED has taken the top award in the recent West Wales Health & Social Care Awards, held at Parch yr Scarlets by the Regional Partnership Board.

With many worthy winners from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire recognised for their work in this key sector, Lucy had to wait for the final award category to be announced, and faced tough competition for the title of Outstanding Contribution.

The PLANED project on Micro Enterprises and Catalysts for Care began in 2020 in Pembrokeshire, and since then, by working in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, the three local authorities, and third sector agencies, PLANED has now expanded this project to both Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

Lucy herself joined PLANED in 2023, and in the year she has worked with the team, has enabled the project in Carmarthenshire to build, going from strength to strength with over 25 new micro enterprises in health and social care, supported to be set up in the first 12 months alone.

Iwan Thomas, Chief Executive of PLANED notes, “Under the mentorship of Lee James here in Pembrokeshire, and with the amazing support of our local authority partners, the Carmarthenshire Catalyst in supporting the Micro Enterprises has been amazing. Lucy has brought fresh energy, and with the wider support of the PLANED team, drawn upon existing contacts as the organisation continues to build and strengthen its regional support for communities by working in partnership with others.”

With a capacity audience for the Awards ceremony at Parc y Scarlets, Lucy was presented the final award of the day by the current interim Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Judith Hardisty, following her nomination by colleagues in Carmarthenshire County Council.

Lucy in response to getting the award said “Thank you everyone. I am so proud to be part of PLANED, Catalyst for Care project offering people choice and control over the care they have and our fantastic Micro Enterprises. Thank you also to the Commissioning Team at Carmarthenshire County Council for all of your support and everyone involved in our project. I am so blessed and love the work I do, alongside amazing people and services supporting our communities.”

To make such a positive impact on drawing people together across the health and social care within a short space time already, is testament to the ethos of the project that enables people to obtain support to maintain living in their own homes. Lucy, along with her colleagues Lee in Pembrokeshire, and Sue Lewis in Ceredigion, are further enabling the different this PLANED project can genuinely offer for communities across West Wales, and by working with others, deliver a sustainable solution for enabling both social and economic wellbeing.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)