Community

Further pleas to save Anchorage Day Centre

Published

1 year ago

May 15, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PLEA by a concerned parent to keep Pembroke Dock’s Anchorage Day Centre open was heard at a full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Anchorage Day Care Centre in Pembroke Dock has been a “safe and happy place” for adults with learning difficulties and additional needs for decades.

In more recent years it has expanded to support elderly dementia sufferers.

But now the centre is expected to close, with services instead being offered elsewhere in the county, including Haverfordwest and Milford Haven.

A series of engagement events have taken place at The Anchorage recently, outlining the reasons and the options in continued service.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “One young woman who attends ran out of the first meeting sobbing when she was told it was going to close. Another, at the second meeting, tried to address the meeting but was so choked up at the thought of not seeing her friends anymore she could hardly speak.”

In a submitted question heard at the May 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, concerned parent Peter Welsh asked: “Is the council aware of the huge impact the impending closure of the Anchorage Adult Day-care Centre in Pembroke Dock is already having to the health and mental wellbeing of my daughter and 20 other vulnerable adults with special needs and learning difficulties, who are unable to cope with changes to routine, or to process and understand what is happening to them?

“And would the council, therefore, please review its closure decision and retain the centre and the vital and invaluable service it provides not only to the individuals concerned but also to the parents?

“If not, what specific measures does the cabinet member have in place to support my daughter and these other individuals who need extra assistance to enable them to maintain their independence, value and allow their carers to have valuable respite from their caring responsibilities and what are the estimated costs for these substitute measures?”

Responding, Cabinet Member for Social Care & Safeguarding Cllr Tessa Hodgson said an engagement with service users, carers and families was made immediately after staff were informed about the potential closure following the council’s March budget setting.

Members were told two sessions were held with all concerned, with a list of alternative day opportunities in the county outlined, with opportunities to attend short sessions at the other centres being available so they “can fully explore which opportunity is best suited to their needs and wants”.

“All service users of the Anchorage will be offered alternative day centre arrangements in order to preserve their independence and also to support the caring needs of their families, these assessments are still taking place and are likely to continue to do so at least until the end of May.”

Cllr Hodgson said she was unable to provide estimated costs of the new arrangements until all the assessments were in place, hoping to update members at a future date.

An online e-petition, on the council’s own website has been launched calling for the Anchorage to stay open.

Community

Call for action as Powys leads the way on cost-of-living help

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Nearly 900 households targeted for support – could Pembrokeshire do more?

NEARLY 900 households in Powys will receive letters this week offering targeted help with the cost-of-living crisis – prompting questions about whether Pembrokeshire County Council should be doing the same.

Powys County Council has used intelligent data analytics to identify households most likely to be struggling financially. They will now be contacted directly and offered free and confidential support with managing bills, energy costs, debt, benefits, and household budgeting.

Half of those identified are council tenants, with the other half living in private rentals or owner-occupied homes.

The scheme uses a tool called LIFT – the Low Income Family Tracker – which pulls together a range of information to spot those who may be falling through the cracks.

Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader of Powys County Council, said: “We are here to help and want to make sure that everyone in our communities has access to the support they need.

“The LIFT platform should help us target our support where it’s most needed and allow us to help more Powys residents to maximise their income and reduce their costs.”

Support will be available in person, online or by phone, with options for home visits.

The Herald understands that Pembrokeshire County Council has not yet adopted the same level of targeted outreach. While the council does offer a range of cost-of-living support, residents must usually seek help themselves. There is currently no known use of data analytics or direct invitation letters to identify and contact those in need.

Pembrokeshire County Council has, however, established a dedicated Community Hub, offering practical help to anyone affected by the rising cost of living. Advisors can assist with benefits, housing, money worries, debt, food support, energy bills, and more.

One local resident who contacted The Herald said: “This is exactly the kind of help people need – not everyone is confident enough to ask for support, even if they’re struggling. Pembrokeshire should be doing this too.”

With Powys setting a new precedent for proactive support, the question is now whether Pembrokeshire – and other councils across Wales – will follow suit.

Need help in Pembrokeshire?

Pembrokeshire residents who are struggling can contact the council’s Cost of Living Support Line:

Phone: 01437 776301
Email: [email protected]
Online information: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living-hub

Support includes guidance on benefits, money management, debt, food, energy, housing, and more. All advice is free and confidential.

Community

Bluestone backs 1940s Big Band Night in Pembroke Dock

Published

22 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION is lending major support to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust’s 1940s Big Band Night on Saturday, June 21 – an evening promising music, history, and nostalgia.

The event, held at the Pembroke Port Pavilion (PPP) marquee beside the Western Hangar in the Royal Dockyard, will feature live performances, dancing, wartime vehicles, and a generous raffle.

Leading the raffle is a trio of high-value prizes donated by Bluestone Resorts:

An overnight spa break for two in a Bluestone studio apartment
A family ticket to the Blue Lagoon Water Park
A £50 dining voucher for the Black Pool Mill restaurant

A star attraction on the night will be the appearance of a beautifully restored 1922 Guy Motors bus, owned by Bluestone CEO William McNamara. The 103-year-old vehicle will be joined by at least two original wartime Jeeps.

Other raffle prizes include a tutored watercolour painting experience for two from the A.J. Ludlow Colours Watercolour Café in Pembroke Dock, and a framed print of a famous Sunderland flying boat, donated by the Heritage Centre.

The musical entertainment will transport guests back to the golden age of Glenn Miller, with the Phil Dando Big Band headlining, joined by Vera Lynn tribute singer Peri Lynn and the Pembrokeshire Lindy Hoppers dance group. Street food vendors will also be in attendance.

Proceeds from the night will go towards returning the historic RAF Pembroke Dock Memorial Window to the town – 80 years after it was first dedicated in the building that now houses the Heritage Centre. The window has been on display at the RAF Museum in London for the past three decades.

Tickets are priced at £25 and can be purchased from the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre (Tel: 01646 684220) or via Eventbrite.

This is a one-off opportunity to relive the wartime spirit in style.

Pic:

Historic wheels: The 103-year-old Guy Motors bus will appear at the 1940s Big Band Night in Pembroke Dock on Saturday, June 21 (Pic: Supplied).

Community

Call for blood donors after West Wales father saves son with rare blood disorder

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Appointments open at Giraldus Centre and Neyland Community Hub

A WEST WALES father who saved his son’s life with a stem cell donation is calling on local residents to give blood or register as stem cell donors as part of National Blood Donor Week (June 9–15).

Matt Hodgson-Smith, from Mumbles, Swansea, was a perfect match for his seven-year-old son Jasper, who was diagnosed with Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS), a life-threatening and incredibly rare blood disorder.

Jasper is the only known child in Wales with APDS and one of just 35 cases across the UK. He endured years of hospital visits, repeated infections, and intensive treatment before receiving a life-saving stem cell transplant from his father.

Now the family is sharing their story in the hope of inspiring others to register with the Welsh Blood Service and help other families still searching for a donor.

Matt said: “Some people think donating stem cells is painful or invasive. For me, the process was simple. I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone’s life.”

Appointments for blood donations are now available locally:

Giraldus Centre, Haverfordwest – Thursday, 20 June
Neyland Community Hub – Monday, 24 June

More donation sessions are being rolled out across Pembrokeshire and West Wales in the coming weeks. Over 10,000 donations are needed every year to support patients in local hospitals, including Withybush General Hospital.

Jasper’s mother, Sophie, said: “Despite everything he’s faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong. He even danced his way through the transplant.”

The Welsh Blood Service said only 1 in 4 patients will find a stem cell match within their family. For most, an unknown donor is their only hope. The need is especially urgent for donors from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Alan Prosser, Director of the Welsh Blood Service, said: “Stories like Jasper’s show the true value of donation. We need more people to sign up and become lifesavers.”

To make an appointment or check your eligibility, visit www.wbs.wales/NBDW25 or call 0800 252 266.