News

Loneliness crisis among Welsh parents: highlighted by new survey

Published

2 years ago

September 24, 2024

A NEW survey commissioned by Home-Start UK, a leading family support charity, has revealed the alarming scale of loneliness experienced by parents in Wales. According to the findings, nearly four out of five parents (77%) report feeling lonely or isolated, highlighting an urgent need for support to address the issue.

The survey, conducted by YouGov as part of a UK-wide study, sheds light on the isolation many parents and carers face during crucial stages of their children’s development. The data indicates that social isolation is having a profound impact on parents, with consequences for both their mental health and their children’s wellbeing.

Key findings

One of the survey’s most striking findings is the prevalence of isolation among parents. Almost one in five (18%) say they rarely or never have meaningful contact with another adult outside their household, underscoring the extent of their isolation. Young parents are particularly vulnerable, with 28% of those aged 18-24 admitting they always or often feel lonely, compared to just 16% of parents aged 45-54.

Employment also plays a key role in shaping experiences of loneliness. The survey found that unemployed parents are three times more likely to experience loneliness than those in work (48% vs. 16%). Even among those who are not formally employed, such as stay-at-home parents, the rate of loneliness remains worryingly high at 36%.

The findings challenge common assumptions that men are less affected by loneliness. Fathers are just as likely as mothers to say they lack meaningful adult interactions (17% vs. 19%) and report experiencing frequent feelings of loneliness (18% vs. 20%).

Financial strains are compounding the issue, with families on lower incomes being disproportionately affected. Nearly a quarter (24%) of those from lower-income households report feeling lonely, compared to 15% from higher-income groups. The rising cost of living, cited by 48% of respondents, was the leading factor contributing to feelings of isolation, followed by mental health concerns at 43%.

Home-Start Cymru calls for action

In response to the survey’s findings, Home-Start Cymru, which provides vital support to families across Wales, is calling for increased volunteer numbers and donations. The charity is also urging parents to seek help, as they strive to expand their services to meet the growing demand.

Jayne Drummond, CEO of Home-Start Cymru, highlighted the charity’s success in supporting 1,250 families and 2,000 children over the past year, an increase of 4%. She noted that while stress levels remained steady, Home-Start Cymru’s interventions ensured families were able to maintain their resilience, despite the rising pressures of everyday life.

“We’ve seen an 8% rise in children’s mental health struggles, yet thanks to our support, these families have not seen a decline in their ability to cope. This underscores our vital role in helping them through these difficult times,” Drummond said.

Peter Grigg, Chief Executive of Home-Start UK, echoed these sentiments. “This survey paints a painful picture of a loneliness crisis in parenthood. Despite being more digitally connected than ever, too many parents are missing meaningful connections with other adults,” he said. Grigg stressed the importance of emotional support for parents, stating, “Parents and carers are the most important factor in a child’s development, so it’s crucial we provide compassionate communities of support during the critical early years.”

Impact of isolation and financial pressures

The survey also delved into the impact of financial pressures on family life. As inflation drives up the cost of essentials, many parents are forced to cut back on social activities, exacerbating their isolation. This issue is particularly severe for families with younger children, where distance from extended family and friends is often cited as a contributing factor to feelings of loneliness.

In response, Home-Start Cymru has joined a new national campaign titled “We answer the cries you don’t hear.” The initiative aims to raise awareness of the challenges parents face, from maternal mental health to the impact of the cost of living. As part of the campaign, three short films have been released to highlight these issues and encourage communities to offer more support to struggling families.

One poignant example of the charity’s impact comes from Zainab, a mother who fled Afghanistan and settled in Swansea after escaping the Taliban. Isolated as a new mother, Zainab’s situation improved dramatically after being referred to Home-Start Cymru by a health visitor. With the help of a volunteer, she learned English, gained confidence, and became more integrated into her local community. Zainab was so inspired by the support she received that she later became a volunteer herself, helping other families in need.

Her story is just one example of how Home-Start Cymru is making a tangible difference in the lives of families across Wales, offering not just practical assistance but a lifeline of human connection in a time of crisis.

As the cost of living continues to rise and mental health challenges mount, the charity’s call for greater community involvement and government support has never been more urgent. With more volunteers and donations, Home-Start Cymru hopes to continue its vital work, ensuring no parent has to face the loneliness of parenthood alone.

Community

Swiss granddaughter returns to Pembroke Dock to honour wartime heroine

Published

22 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SWISS woman has returned to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre to see a special display celebrating her grandmother’s remarkable wartime work helping Allied servicemen who escaped into neutral Switzerland.

Therese Burckhardt, from Zurich, is the granddaughter of Mrs Beryl Schaerer Morse, a former Pembroke Dock woman who was awarded the King’s Medal in 1952 for her service during the Second World War.

The rare medal, one of only around 2,500 awarded, is now on display at the Heritage Centre alongside photographs, family records and an information panel telling Mrs Schaerer Morse’s story.

Beryl Schaerer Morse was born in Pembroke Dock in 1887, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Harrison Morse, who lived in Pembroke Dock and later Tenby.

After marrying a Swiss banker in 1913, she settled in Switzerland for the rest of her life, but always regarded Pembrokeshire as home. She returned for many summers to the family’s house in Tenby, which her grandparents had built in the 1930s.

During the Second World War, Mrs Schaerer Morse led an organisation assisting Allied servicemen who had escaped into neutral Switzerland. Her work was later recognised with the award of the King’s Medal.

Therese first visited the Heritage Centre last summer with childhood friend Penny Tighe, of Pembroke, bringing the medal and family records with her. She has now returned with further documents and family photographs to add to the centre’s archive.

Joining her again was Penny Tighe, along with Ruth Waddington, who now lives in the Tenby house where Therese spent many happy childhood holidays with her brother Roland, known affectionately to his grandmother as “Chips”.

Mrs Schaerer Morse died in 1967 and had expressly wished to be buried near her father at Llanion Cemetery, Pembroke Dock.

Therese said: “I am very pleased with how my grandmother’s medal and her story are displayed at the Heritage Centre, and also pleased to bring more records to add to the archive there.”

Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is based at the Royal Dockyard Chapel and tells the story of the town’s maritime, aviation, military, social and community heritage.

Pembroke Dock was Wales’ only Royal Dockyard, a major garrison town, and during the Second World War was home to the largest flying boat station in the world.

The centre is currently open Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Therese Burckhardt shows the King’s Medal, awarded to her grandmother, to Ruth Waddington at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre (Pic: PDHC).

Community

Pirates take over Pembroke Dock maritime museum

Published

60 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VOLUNTEERS at West Wales Maritime Museum were praised after another successful Pirates Party brought crowds to Pembroke Dock.

The family event was held at Hancock’s Yard, Front Street, on Saturday (Jun 20), with visitors enjoying a day of maritime-themed entertainment, stalls, refreshments and fancy dress.

The museum, run by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, hosted the event with the help of volunteers, with activities including a tombola, raffle, barbecue, face painting, children’s games and a prize for the best-dressed pirate.

There was also live entertainment from the Cantabile Singers and the Barti Waves.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a musket firing display by the H.M.S Wales Re-enactment Group, which drew strong interest from those attending.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, was among those who visited the event.

He said it had been “a fantastic afternoon” and praised the volunteers who had worked hard to put on “another brilliant event”.

Cllr Grimes said: “There was plenty to see and enjoy, but my personal highlight had to be the musket firing display from the H.M.S Wales Re-enactment Group — a real crowd-pleaser with live firing.

“It was wonderful to see so many people coming along and supporting yet another successful event at the museum.”

He also thanked Peter Kraus and everyone involved for their dedication in bringing the event to life.

The West Wales Maritime Museum is based at the historic Hancock’s Yard and is run by volunteers who work to preserve Pembroke Dock’s maritime heritage.

The society restores and maintains classic boats, operates a museum of maritime artefacts and offers visitors a chance to learn more about the town’s long connection with the sea.

The museum has become an increasingly popular community venue, with events such as the Pirates Party helping to bring families into the town while celebrating Pembroke Dock’s seafaring past.

News

Father and son lifeboat volunteers answer emergency call off Broadhaven South

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FATHER’S DAY celebrations were interrupted for several Tenby RNLI crew members on Sunday afternoon (Jun 21) after a five-metre RIB suffered engine failure off Broadhaven South and began drifting dangerously towards rocks.

The casualty vessel issued a Pan Pan call, prompting a Coastguard tasking to Tenby Lifeboats.

Among those responding were Coxswain Gary and his son Eddie, who still managed to spend part of Father’s Day together — although not quite in the way they may have planned.

The lifeboat was quickly launched and made best speed to the reported position, around nine miles west of Tenby Lifeboat Station.

When the crew arrived on scene, the engine of the casualty vessel had been restarted. However, with those on board concerned it could fail again, the Coxswain decided to escort the RIB back towards the entrance of the Milford Haven Waterway.

Once at the mouth of the waterway, the occupants were confident they could safely continue to their mooring without further assistance.

The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station, arriving back at 5:50pm.