Charity

NSPCC reports increase children being left home alone in Wales

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2024

THE NSPCC Helpline has made 20% more referrals in the last year to local authorities in Wales about children being left home alone or unsupervised.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, the service, which provides help and advice for adults with concerns about the wellbeing of a child, sent 195 referrals to local agencies or services in Wales following contacts about the issue. This is compared to 163 referrals during the previous 12 months.

Last year, the Helpline received 7,802 contacts about the subject from adults from across the UK, compared to 4,717 contacts between 2022 to 2023.

The increase in the number of contacts on this issue to the Helpline and the referrals made could be due to a number of factors, including a recent NSPCC Helpline marketing campaign, increased service capacity and greater public awareness about the risks of leaving children home alone.

More than half of these contacts (51%) on children being left home alone were deemed serious enough for the NSPCC Helpline to make a referral to a local agency or service with a view to further action being taken.

With schools in Wales breaking up this week, many adults might feel unsure about whether their child is ready to be left unsupervised or have concerns about another child being left alone.

For many parents, July and August can be particularly difficult as they are forced to balance the competing pressures of work and childcare. These challenges are likely to be even more acute this year as the cost-of-living crisis continues, forcing some parents and carers to work increased hours or take part-time jobs.

One adult contacted the Helpline with a concern about their neighbour, told The Pembrkoeshire Herald: “It’s two little girls I’m worried about, they must be about 4 and 6; they’re left home alone quite a lot and that means they’re unsupervised with the family’s dogs. I’ve knocked a few times to see if they’re ok and they always say, ‘daddy will be back soon’ but it’s usually hours later when one of the parents comes back.”

There is no legal age limit for leaving children home alone, but the NSPCC would not recommend leaving any child under the age of 12 at home unsupervised, especially for extended periods of time.

A child who expresses concern about being left alone should never be without a parent or carer and for those young people who do feel comfortable, it is vital they are left with contact numbers for a parent, carer or trusted adult. Long periods of being unsupervised can lead to children feeling afraid or neglected.

One young person aged 14 told Childline: “I’m sick of being left on my own, mum expects me to just look after myself. There isn’t always food I can cook, I can’t go and see my friends or do anything fun, but she can.”

Should leaving a child alone be the only option for an adult, then the NSPCC’s website has tips for parents to help ensure the young person feels safe, as well as a quiz to assess if a child is ready to be left unsupervised.

Kam Thandi, Head of the NSPCC’s Helpline said: “It can be hard for parents and carers to know the right age to leave their child home alone as every child is different, and the first time being left unsupervised will differ for every family.”

“It is vital that both the child and adult feel comfortable with any decision that is taken, and that if a young person is to be left home alone they know how to contact a trusted adult and what to do in an emergency.

“For anyone who may need advice or is concerned about a child who might be at risk, our Helpline service can support you and the NSPCC website has a range of tips.”

Adults with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing [email protected] or completing our report abuse online form.

Childline is available for young people via the phone on 0800 1111 and online where there is a 121 chat on the Childline website.

You can find more information and advice on leaving children home alone on the NSPCC website.

Charity

Homeless charity plans ‘safe haven’ centre with accommodation and training

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A new community project aims to tackle gaps in support for people living on the streets

A NEW community initiative is aiming to provide a “safe haven” for homeless people in west Wales, offering accommodation, training and round-the-clock support.

Safe Haven Homeless CIC has been set up by founder Dave Thomas, who said the idea came after witnessing the struggles faced by people sleeping rough in Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.

He described seeing individuals forced out of temporary camps, including one case where fencing was erected to prevent a homeless person returning to a former site.

Mr Thomas said: “We spoke to people who simply couldn’t access help because they had no fixed address or internet access. That was a real eye-opener.”

Research carried out by the group found that while a number of organisations provide advice and outreach support, there is a lack of safe, stable accommodation offering a full package of services.

The Herald understands that demand for housing remains high, with waiting lists for social housing stretching to around two years in some cases, particularly for those not in priority groups.

The project aims to address this by purchasing a property with land to create a multi-use support centre.

Plans include a main building with communal living areas, a kitchen, counselling rooms, IT facilities and training spaces, alongside outdoor accommodation such as bell tents and log cabins.

The site would also include recreational and work-based facilities, including a workshop, greenhouse, gym and fishing lake, designed to support wellbeing and provide opportunities for skills development.

Mr Thomas said the centre would be staffed 24 hours a day to ensure continuous support, addressing a gap where many services only operate during office hours.

The initiative also aims to become partly self-sustaining, with income generated through a small campsite, training activities and partnerships with external organisations.

Support networks are already being developed, including links with counsellors, charities and local businesses willing to offer employment opportunities to those using the service.

The organisation is being run by a team of directors alongside Mr Thomas, and is also building connections with other community projects in the region.

Mr Thomas added: “We believe this is a new and dynamic way to support homeless people. It’s about giving them not just a place to stay, but real support to rebuild their lives.”

Charity

Police cyclists to ride 75 miles in charity tribute

Published

9 hours ago

May 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE cyclists will ride 75 hilly miles across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire next week in a first-of-its-kind charity event for the force.

Around 35 riders will take part in The Chief’s Tour on Wednesday (May 6), raising money for Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity which supports the families of police officers and police staff who have died on duty.

The route will begin at St Mary’s Church in Fishguard at around 8:00am, before heading south through Pembrokeshire to Tenby and finishing at police headquarters in Carmarthen. The ride is expected to take between eight and 11 hours.

The event will also commemorate officers and staff who died while serving with Dyfed-Powys Police.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “This event is a moment for communities, Dyfed-Powys Police, and families to come together to remember officers and staff whose lives were sadly cut short – and ensure their memory lives on.

“It would be fantastic to see people showing their support along the route, and we welcome cyclists to join us along the way.”

Scheduled stops will include St Mary’s Church, Fishguard, at around 8:00am, Newgale beach at 9:40am, Narberth Road layby in Tenby at 1:45pm, and Cana Cemetery, Banc-y-felin, Carmarthenshire, at 4:05pm.

Mr Charles added: “It was important to me to build moments of reflection into the route to make sure we remember the Dyfed-Powys Police officers who never made it home.

“Each name we reflect upon represents dedication, courage, and the highest standard of service to the public. They remind us of what it means to put the safety of others before our own, and of the risks inherent in the oath police officers take.”

The tour is aiming to raise £1,000 for COPS. More than £600 has already been donated.

Anyone wishing to support the team can donate through the JustGiving page for Dyfed Powys Police Cyclists.

Charity

Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust thanks Blakemore for beach clean support

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW EQUIPMENT TO BOOST COASTAL CLEAN-UP EFFORTS

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST CHARITABLE TRUST has thanked the Blakemore Foundation for funding new litter-picking equipment to support beach cleaning efforts across the county.

The equipment will be used during regular beach cleans organised by the Trust, helping volunteers and business groups safely remove waste from some of Pembrokeshire’s most popular and environmentally important beaches.

The Trust said the donation would make a real difference to its coastal conservation work, particularly as more local businesses look for practical ways to support the environment.

Abi Marriot, Funding Officer for the Trust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Blakemore Foundation for their support. Their contribution enables us to equip participants properly, making every clean more impactful. It’s a real boost for our coastal conservation efforts.

“Our recent business-led beach cleans have proved popular, offering teams a refreshing break from the office, a chance to work together in a different environment, and a meaningful way to demonstrate their organisation’s commitment to sustainability.

“Many companies tell us that taking part strengthens team bonds while contributing to visible, positive environmental action.”

The new kit will be used at the next Pembrokeshire Business Big Beach Clean, which will take place at Freshwater West on Thursday, June 4, from 10:00am to 12:00pm.

The event will give local businesses the chance to work together, connect with other organisations, and help protect one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic stretches of coastline.

The Trust is also welcoming suggestions for future autumn clean-up locations as it plans its next focus areas.

Booking for the Freshwater West event is essential. Businesses wishing to take part can reserve a place by contacting Abi at [email protected] or calling 07773 788196.