Community

New report highlights positive impact of Cadet Forces in Wales

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2024

A NEWLY published independent report has shed light on the significant benefits that participation in cadet forces brings to young people, adult volunteers, and the wider community across Wales. The study, titled ‘Getting an Edge: The Impact and Value of the Cadet Forces in Wales,’ was conducted by academics from the University of Northampton and commissioned by The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.

The report, led by Professor Simon Denny, alongside Professor Richard Hazenberg and Dr Claire Peterson-Young, presents compelling evidence that involvement in the cadet forces offers young people in Wales a distinct advantage over their peers in terms of social mobility, educational attainment, and employability. According to the findings, cadets who have been part of the forces for two years or more acquire valuable skills, experiences, and qualifications that give them an “edge” when applying for further education or employment opportunities.

Professor Denny, the lead author of the report, emphasised the unique benefits for economically disadvantaged young people. He stated, “Young people that are or have been in the cadet forces for two years or more have developed attributes and gained skills, experiences and qualifications that give them a clear advantage – an ‘edge’ – over their non-cadet peers, in applications for further and higher education and for employment. This edge is particularly important for those young people who are economically disadvantaged.”

The report also highlights the positive impact on adult volunteers, who gain valuable skills and qualifications through their involvement with the cadet forces, often leading to improved career prospects.

However, the study also draws attention to a concerning disparity: the proportion of secondary-school-age children in Wales who are members of the cadet forces is lower than the UK average. Currently, only 2.4% of eligible children in Wales participate in the cadet forces, compared to 4.2% across the UK. The report suggests that there is significant potential to increase the number of cadets in Wales, which would allow more young people to benefit from the opportunities offered by the programme.

Another key finding of the report focuses on the wide range of vocational qualifications that can be achieved by both cadets and volunteers. The authors argue that additional funding could expand these opportunities in Wales, further integrating the cadet forces into the Welsh educational ecosystem. The report advocates for investment by non-Ministry of Defence budget holders, given the substantial benefits that these qualifications bring to young people.

Professor Denny further stressed the broader societal value of the cadet forces in Wales, stating, “The cadet forces in Wales provide outputs and outcomes that help achieve Welsh Government policy objectives in the areas of child poverty, education, preparation for employment, and health and wellbeing. The cadet forces are important for their members, and to the nation of Wales. It is vital that the contribution of the cadet forces to Wales is clearly articulated and understood by policy makers, educational leaders, and employers.”

The findings of this report underscore the vital role that the cadet forces play in supporting young people in Wales, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. As the report suggests, increasing participation and investment in the cadet forces could amplify their positive impact, benefiting not only individual members but also the broader Welsh society.

For further information, or to view the full report, please visit the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales website.

Community

Cardiff’s new Hollywood Bowl XL seeks enthusiastic ‘Chief Fun Officers’

Published

13 minutes ago

June 8, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

HOLLYWOOD BOWL XL has launched an exciting opportunity to find a lucky winner and their family to be the ‘Chief Fun Officers’.

With work set to complete on the stunning new multi-entertainment centre at St David’s shopping centre, local bowling enthusiasts are invited to apply for the chance to test and experience all that the new centre has to offer, ensuring it provides top-tier entertainment for the community to enjoy.

The new centre will feature 20 ten pin bowling lanes, interactive darts, electric go-karting and a live sports bar. This marks the first time the brand has added e-karting to one of its venues, adding a new layer of high-speed competition to the Hollywood Bowl XL experience.

The successful winners will get to test the state-of-the-art bowling lanes, complete with advanced scoring systems, indulge in sampling a variety of delectable food and drink, including American favourites such as hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, shakes, and signature cocktails (for adults only) and have a go in the state-of-the-art amusements area.

To enter, families must submit a 60 second video entry sent via an Instagram DM to @hollywoodbowluk and explain why they think they should win by midnight on June 19, 2026.

Family participation is encouraged – children can apply for the role with the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. Families also have the option to apply and enjoy the experience together (maximum 2 adults and 3 children). Entries will be judged on creativity, enthusiasm and personality

Jeremy Verecchia, Area Support Manager, said: “Getting the community involved with our new centre is important to us. We want to make sure we’re offering the best experience possible, so what better way to do that than by hearing directly from families and bowling fans? We can’t wait to see who will join us in this exciting new role at Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s!”

Hollywood Bowl is the UK’s leading ten-pin bowling and competitive socialising brand and is encouraging families to apply via Instagram with the successful winner bringing their family with them for the experience.

All entrants under 18 will need parent/guardian approval and attendance on the day. Entries are now open via an Instagram DM to @hollywoodbowluk and are being accepted until June 19.

The lucky family will be selected and contacted by June 26 and will need to be available when Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s opens to claim their prize. The winning family will be the first to step through the doors of the brand-new centre and bowl at an invite-only pre-opening event on July 15, making it a true VIP experience!

Bookings will open shortly at hollywoodbowl.co.uk and customers are encouraged to sign up to the VIP mailing list for updates and exclusive offers at https://www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/cardiff-st-davids

Want to work at Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s? Recruitment is underway for over 50 roles including team members and management positions. Candidates who wish to find out more information and apply should visit https://careers.hollywoodbowlgroup.co.uk/our-roles.

Community

HMS Erebus exhibition opens as Pembroke Dock marks 200-year milestone

Published

10 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK HERITAGE CENTRE has marked the 200th anniversary of the launch of HMS Erebus with a special event celebrating one of the town’s most remarkable maritime stories.

HMS Erebus was built at the Royal Dockyard in Pembroke Dock and launched on June 7, 1826, before going on to become one of the most famous exploration vessels of the 19th century.

The ship later took part in major polar expeditions, including voyages to Antarctica, before being lost during Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition. Its wreck was discovered in Canadian waters in 2014, reigniting worldwide interest in the vessel and its Pembrokeshire origins.

The anniversary event was attended by supporters, volunteers and visitors, with music from folk trio Broadoak and a presentation by Professor Russell Potter on the ship’s extraordinary career.

The Heritage Centre thanked everyone who helped make the event possible, including its volunteers, catering team, musicians and guest of honour Professor Potter.

The new exhibition, HMS Erebus: From Dockyard to Discovery, opens to the public on Monday (Jun 8).

Professor Potter will also give a public talk, From Land’s End to the Ends of the Earth: The Eventful Career of HMS Erebus, at 10:30am.

Community

Welsh legal and housing charities share in £3.9m consumer justice funding

Published

10 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WELSH legal and housing advice charities are to receive funding from a £3.9 million grants programme using unclaimed money from a major class action case.

The Access to Justice Foundation has announced the recipients of its Improving Lives Through Advice 2026 programme, which will support 16 organisations across the UK over three years.

The money comes from unclaimed settlement funds from the Gutmann v SW Trains case, also known as the Boundary Fare class action.

In Wales, the organisations named include Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent, Cyngor ar Bopeth Powys Citizens Advice, Speakeasy Law Centre, also known as South Wales Law Centre, and Shelter Cymru.

The foundation said the funding is being directed to areas where class members were based and where access to free legal advice is most needed.

Although no Pembrokeshire organisation is named directly, the funding is likely to support services used by people across Wales, including those facing housing problems, debt, benefits issues, consumer disputes and difficulties accessing legal advice.

Clare Carter, chief executive of the Access to Justice Foundation, said: “Unclaimed funds from collective actions represent a significant opportunity to strengthen access to justice.

“These organisations are the first point of call for people to understand and enforce their rights. This grant round will ensure that the outcomes of collective actions are felt by consumers across the UK.”

The foundation said the programme had been heavily oversubscribed, with 315 applications seeking more than £70 million in support.

It said the level of demand showed the pressure facing free legal advice services, with many charities now acting as the first and only place people can turn when trying to enforce their rights.

The Access to Justice Foundation said more than two thirds of adults in England and Wales face a legal problem each year, while more than 11 million people do not get help to resolve their legal issues.

The grants programme is the first in the UK to redistribute unclaimed class action money in this way.