Charity
RNLI to trial operating Angle all-weather lifeboat from Milford Haven

RNLI to undertake trial operating Angle all-weather lifeboat from Milford Haven
This week signals the beginning of a six-month trial to operate Angle’s all-weather Tamar class lifeboat across the waterway in Milford Haven, from the Port Authority’s jetty.
The charity recently announced that sustaining operations at Angle Lifeboat Station is becoming increasingly challenging due to its remote location and declining population. The lifeboat has already been operating from Milford Haven three days every week thanks to an arrangement with the Port of Milford Haven. The RNLI is now extending this arrangement on a 24/7 basis for a trial period before reviewing the impact. This trial will run over six months.
Over recent years, measures have been put in place to enable Angle’s lifeboat to operate safely and effectively. However, as a charity, the RNLI cannot continue to support these measures long-term. The all-weather lifeboat was placed on a swing mooring to ensure it could be launched quickly and efficiently in response to an emergency callout due to the limited number of shore crew with daytime availability at Angle.
Since 2012, a local operating procedure has been in place for Angle’s all-weather lifeboat to collect crew from Milford Haven when attending incidents to ensure adequate, safe crewing levels. The RNLI has recently provided extra support to crew based in Milford Haven, developing more infrastructure and dedicated training for volunteers there.
The RNLI also invested in additional full-time crew at Angle to ensure the lifeboat could continue to operate. However, these arrangements are not sustainable long-term.
Ryan Jennings, RNLI Regional Operations Lead told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “‘This is not a decision that has been taken lightly but is necessary to enable the RNLI to continue to save lives to the best affect in the Cleddau Estuary and surrounding waterways. To ensure the long-term sustainability of lifesaving in the area, we are keen to undertake this trial and assess its impact. We will still require the services of the Angle RNLI volunteer crew and welcome any new additional crew; however, we continue to review the situation in order to ensure the long-term viability of the station.
‘The RNLI is committed to ensuring an effective lifesaving service in the Cleddau Estuary and surrounding area and is grateful to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support. We are committed to looking at ways of creating a lifeboat service, which is sustainable into the future. A trial at Milford Haven gives us the opportunity to explore this.’
Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, Mike Ryan, said: ‘We are fully supportive of the RNLI’s trial to operate from Milford Haven as we want to help them find a workable, long term solution that will benefit all users of the Waterway and keep everyone safe.’
The trial commenced this week and the RNLI will assess and review the results once complete.
Charity
Tenby Round Table donates £2,336 to Paul Sartori Foundation

THE PAUL SARTORI FOUNDATION, Pembrokeshire’s hospice-at-home charity, has received a donation of £2,336 from Tenby Round Table, funding the purchase of two specialised Minuet 2 hospital-style beds to enhance patient comfort at home.
Representatives from the Tenby Round Table visited Paul Sartori House on Tuesday (Mar 4) to meet the team and see how their donation is making a difference. The charity’s Equipment Loan Team demonstrated the new beds, highlighting their benefits for end-of-life patients wishing to spend their final days at home.
Amanda Elmes, Equipment Assistant, and Mark Bunyan, Equipment Technician, explained how the beds provide essential support, with families expressing deep gratitude for their availability, even if used for just a short period.
Will Davies, Chairman of Tenby Round Table, said: “The decision to donate was unanimous because we all strongly believe in the invaluable service Paul Sartori provides to families in need.”
Joost Geertman, past president of Tenby Round Table, shared a personal connection, having recently accessed the charity’s services for a family member. He said: “It’s heartening to see how Paul Sartori supports people at the most critical times of their lives. I know firsthand the difference it makes to families locally.”
The Paul Sartori Equipment Loan Service plays a crucial role in supporting end-of-life patients across Pembrokeshire. In 2023/24, the team delivered over 1,700 items of equipment—an average of 32 per week—including beds, wheelchairs, commodes, chairs, and mattresses, all provided at no cost.
Pat Coombs, Clinical Coordinator and Equipment Facilitator, emphasised the importance of donations in sustaining their work. She said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Tenby Round Table. We rely heavily on donations and grants to continue complementing statutory services. Beds are among the most important items we loan, offering comfort and support when it is most needed.”
The Paul Sartori Foundation provides a range of services beyond equipment loans, including home nursing care, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, physiotherapy, advance care planning, and training. The charity also operates a 24-hour advice line, available seven days a week, with a standby service for those not yet requiring hands-on care.
Charity
NSPCC Cymru highlights ‘vital work’ of Children’s Service Practitioners

AS PART of Social Work Week, we are celebrating the work of professionals at NSPCC Cymru who work closely with children to keep them safe from harm and neglect.
Staff and volunteers come from a wide range of experience and have often worked in challenging and demanding roles before joining the organisation.
Once such area is social work and the skills and knowledge of this discipline are key to the work of our Children’s Services Practitioners (CSPs).
While people often shy away from talking about child abuse, the reality is that half a million children experience abuse every year. We need to talk about it, and the CSP team at NSPCC Cymru is here to help prevent it happening. We are here to support children and their families when it has happened, to reduce stigma and shame and help promote recovery.
Sophie Dowle is a Children’s Services Practitioner (CSP) based in Cardiff and explains what brought her to NSPCC Cymru a year ago and the vital work her team does.
Sophie said, “I qualified as a social worker in 2018 and worked in Child Protection and Counter Exploitation teams in a local authority children’s services department prior to joining the NSPCC.
“At NSPCC Cymru we work on a range of direct initiatives including a therapeutic service for children and their families and carers following sexual abuse.
“We deliver a service called Pregnancy in Mind which helps expectant parents with or at risk of mild to moderate anxiety or depression, and we are about to deliver a perinatal service that supports vulnerable parents, developing their confidence in parenting and meeting the needs of their baby.”
There are some differences between the kinds of social work support our Children’s Services Practitioners provide and the traditional roles associated with local authority social workers.
Sophie continues, “Local Authority social workers tend to deal with safeguarding risks in the here and now with overall responsibility for the plan of care and support a child needs.
“We do not deliver statutory services and crisis intervention. Our direct services practitioners offer support to prevent the harm in the first place, or support recovery once a child is safe.
“By working with other agencies and partners to help care and support children, we are afforded the time and a reduced case load to work intensively and creatively with young people and their families.
“It was the opportunity to develop my therapeutic skills, and hearing about the Letting the Future In service, which delivers therapeutic work following sexual abuse, that motivated me to join NSPCC Cymru.”
The skills needed for this demanding role include general child-centred social work skills, empathy, good communication, listening and analytical skills as well as creativity and decision-making skills. Sophie says she appreciates the support and training the organisation provides.
She added, “I love the time and creativity I am given to work with children and their families. The work is very rewarding. I have worked with so many wonderful young people and have learnt things from them all. It is a privilege to be a part of their journey.
“In Social Work Week it’s important to spread the message about the vital role social work plays in safeguarding and supporting people and an opportunity to promote the work our Children’s Services Practitioners do at NSPCC Cymru to keep children and young people safe.”
NSPCC Cymru’s Direct Services team manager, Jess Hiscock said; “We value the diverse experiences and knowledge our practitioners bring to the role. Sophie and her practitioner colleagues’ passion and commitment to ensuring babies, children, young people and their families are supported and safe contributes to so many improved outcomes for those with whom we work.”
To find out more about Social Care Week visit Social Work Week 2025 | Social Care Wales
For more about the NSPCC’s services visit NSPCC | The UK children’s charity | NSPCC
Charity
Paul Sartori receives further support from The James Tudor Foundation

PAUL SARTORI HOSPIC AT HOME, a Pembrokeshire-based charity, has secured a £10,000 grant from The James Tudor Foundation to support its end-of-life care services. The funding will contribute to the charity’s Registered Nursing Team, which provides essential palliative care across the county.
The annual cost of delivering this service exceeds £200,000.
Paul Sartori takes a holistic approach to end-of-life care, offering home nursing, complementary therapies, bereavement support, physiotherapy, future care planning, and training. Its team delivers thousands of hours of respite care each year, ensuring patients receive support in the comfort of their homes.
The charity’s Registered Nurses play a vital role in bridging gaps in local palliative care. Their flexible and responsive approach ensures that patients’ wishes to remain at home are honoured. They conduct assessments, facilitate referrals, collaborate with healthcare providers, and offer expert advice. The nurses also assist with symptom management, medication administration, and operate the charity’s 24/7 on-call service, providing immediate assistance in emergencies. Additionally, they coordinate fast-track personal care packages to help patients return home from hospital with adequate support.
“The presence of a Paul Sartori Registered Nurse at home brings immense reassurance to families during a challenging time,” said Laura Hugman, Clinical Team Manager at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. “Our nurses uphold the highest standards of compassionate care, prioritising dignity and quality of life. Having a Registered Nurse available at night means that patients and families can receive prompt assistance without delays.”
Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer at Paul Sartori, expressed gratitude for the continued support: “We are incredibly thankful to The James Tudor Foundation for their generosity. Their funding helps us maintain our nursing service, which is a lifeline for many families facing end-of-life care challenges. Our nurses make a significant impact, alleviating stress and providing much-needed comfort.”
The James Tudor Foundation focuses on the relief of human sickness, supporting organisations that provide direct care to individuals affected by physical or mental health issues. Their commitment to improving end-of-life support aligns with Paul Sartori Hospice at Home’s mission to provide compassionate and dignified care in Pembrokeshire’s rural communities.
“The Foundation is pleased to support Paul Sartori Hospice at Home once again in delivering this crucial service,” said a spokesperson for The James Tudor Foundation. “Ensuring individuals receive practical and emotional support at the end of life is vital, and we are impressed by the charity’s unwavering dedication. We look forward to hearing more about the impact of their work.”
-
Crime4 days ago
Calls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales
-
Top News5 days ago
Pembrokeshire man sentenced for driving four times over drink-drive limit
-
News6 days ago
Oil tanker and cargo ship ablaze after collision in North Sea
-
News4 days ago
Delays to Wales’ tribunal system ‘deeply troubling’
-
Business7 days ago
New owners reopen The Vibe in Milford Haven
-
Crime6 days ago
John Cooper appeal file still under review, but CCRC says process ‘will take time’
-
News7 days ago
Pembrokeshire becomes latest council to consider devolution of Crown Estate
-
Crime5 days ago
Milford man jailed for hurling racial insults during verbal attack