A final decision on changes to social care in Pembrokeshire, following hopes there could be a breathing space for Pembroke Dock’s Anchorage day centre, is to be made later this week.

Last week, on September 23, a successful ‘call-in’ by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy at an extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s social care overview and scrutiny committee, was supported by fellow group members.

The county council is currently changing care provision for older adults and those with learning disabilities, with identified budget saving included in the 2024-’25 budget, and closure of Pembroke Dock’s Anchorage day care centre was agreed by senior councillors at the September 9 meeting of the council’s Cabinet, following the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, where members received a petition calling for the council to keep the centre open, with an impassioned plea by Peter Welsh for the centre to remain open.

Despite a plea at the July meeting by local councillors Tony Wilcox and Brian Hall to give the centre a breathing space ahead of a potential move to an as-yet-unbuilt facility at Pembroke’s South Quay development, the matter was brought to the September meeting of the council’s Cabinet, when its closure was backed “with effect from November 1, 2024,” along with, as part of wider changes in the service, establishing social enterprise models in Crymych’s Bro Preseli and Narberth’s Lee Davies Centre with effect from April 1, 2025.

The anchorage building is council owned while the other two are not.

After that Cabinet decision, the later ‘call-in’ asked for the decision to be referred back to Cabinet for further discussion on the social enterprise model, with a potential piloting in Bro Preseli, along with what bridging options could be considered for the Anchorage while awaiting the South Quay development.

A report ahead of Thursday’s special Cabinet meeting of October 3 says, in relation to the first part of the ‘call-in’: “The Day Centre provision in Crymych and Narberth will remain open under current SLAs until March 31, 2025. A social enterprise will be supported to engage with the local community, service users, their families, and other stakeholders to develop and pilot alternative models of delivery.”

In relation to the Anchorage, it says: “The South Quay development will open in 2026, providing a co-located and integrated health and care setting, with further day opportunities and supported employment options for local residents.

“The Anchorage is open four days a week, providing services from the base 3.5 days with people attending alternative settings on a Friday. With regards to bridging alterations, the Cabinet report on September 9 set out a number of alternatives to attendance at the Anchorage.

“All of these alternatives constitute bridging options for those that wish to attend South Quay from 2026 onwards.”

Those alternatives include day opportunities at the Meadow Park Centre, Community-based activities in the Pembroke Dock Community Hall, and community-based activities at the VC Gallery, Pembroke Dock, the report says.

It adds: “Individuals who have chosen Meadow Park as their preferred setting will be supported to do so and direct transport will be provided. All but one person who attends the Anchorage attend other placements during the week and those services will remain unchanged.

“The long-term continuation of the Anchorage as a Day Centre would also require remedial structural work. This would take a minimum of three months to complete. During any remedial work activity, individuals would be required to attend other day opportunities.

“Officers have been in contact with South Wales Advocacy services to ask for support to ensure that the people who use the service are fully engaged in the final decisions regarding their own care and support.”

Cabinet is recommended to note information received following the scrutiny meeting and “to use this information to adopt a final decision on Bro Preseli, Lee Davies and Anchorage Day Centres, following its decision to adopt option 2 as set out in the day opportunities report to Cabinet on  September 9.

“a)  Close the Anchorage Day Centre with effect from November 1. b) Establish social enterprise models in Bro Preseli and Lee Davies Centre with effect from April 1, 2025 and end existing Service Level Agreements with Lee Davies and Bro Preseli by this date.”

IN a notable recognition of dedication to environmental conservation, Marie duQuesnay, a Pembrokeshire-based volunteer for the Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library, has been awarded the ‘Environment Champion Award’. This accolade was presented as part of the 12th Community Inspiration Awards 2024, celebrating her commitment to preserving rare vegetable seeds.

Marie, alongside fellow Seed Guardians Hilary Van Beek and Nadia Mazza, were celebrated within the community category, applauding their collective efforts in fostering biodiversity for future generations. This trio of gardeners has been instrumental in safeguarding the genetic diversity of plants through meticulous cultivation and conservation of heritage vegetable varieties.

The Heritage Seed Library, where Marie dedicates her efforts, is a crucial repository located at Ryton Gardens near Coventry. It houses nearly half of Garden Organic’s 800-strong National Collection of Heritage Vegetables. These plants are not merely preserved; they are actively cultivated by more than 200 volunteers like Marie, who nurture these plants on their own plots, ensuring their survival and continued proliferation.

The importance of such conservation has been underscored by a stark statistic from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, noting a 75 per cent reduction in crop diversity between 1900 and 2000. In a world facing the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, maintaining a diverse range of plant species is more critical than ever.

Catrina Fenton, the head of the Heritage Seed Library, emphasises the role of these volunteers: “Each heritage variety thriving under the care of a Seed Guardian expands our options for developing resilient plants. These dedicated volunteers produce approximately half of the seeds needed for our conservation efforts each year, thus ensuring the continued existence of these varieties.”

The Community Inspiration Awards, organised by The Community Foundation, aim to highlight outstanding contributions from individuals across public and voluntary sectors. These awards commend those whose endeavours not only make a significant impact in their communities but also inspire others to take action.

For those interested in supporting or joining the Heritage Seed Library, further information can be found at gardenorganic.org.uk/hsl. Here, potential volunteers can learn about the opportunities to become a Seed Guardian or a member of the library, playing a part in this vital work.

Hilary Van Beek, a software engineer by profession, tends to her allotment in Auchterarder, at the foot of the Highlands. Her garden is a vibrant mix of vegetables and flowers, representing a living history of diverse plant varieties. “There’s something magical about growing a variety that has been around for so long,” Hilary shares, highlighting the dwindling diversity in today’s agricultural offerings.

Marie duQuesnay has been a stalwart Seed Guardian for nine years, undeterred by the challenges of living on an exposed hill in Pembrokeshire. “It is so sad to see the intensification of farming narrowing the range of what’s grown,” she remarks, stressing the importance of preserving local seed varieties against modern agricultural practices and regulations.

Nadia Mazza, who resides in the Morecambe Bay area, has found success with her ‘stripey tiger beans’, which she grows for the library. These unique beans thrive in the UK’s northwest, illustrating the practical benefits of biodiversity. “If everyone grew the same vegetable varieties and they were attacked by pests or diseases, we would have serious problems,” Nadia explains, advocating for genetic variety in our gardens.

Together, these gardeners not only preserve the past but sow the seeds of a sustainable future, championing biodiversity one plot at a time.

THE ROYAL Voluntary Service is calling on residents in Pembrokeshire to play their part as volunteer drivers.

The charity is urgently looking to recruit 10 volunteer drivers to drive people to medical appointments.

The call comes as new research by the charity paints a stark picture of the difficulties faced by non-drivers including increased isolation, missed medical appointments and declining mental health.

The research found nearly half (46%) of non-drivers¹ over 70 have missed healthcare appointments due to a lack of transportation, and of these, 96% have missed more than one². One in five (40%) respondents are also missing the independence driving provided and report feeling frustrated (35%), isolated (20%) and trapped (24%). One in four respondents (25%) say not driving has negatively impacted their happiness.

Volunteer Drivers make a big difference by offering both practical and emotional support. More than just getting someone from A to B, volunteers help combat isolation and support wellbeing by providing a friendly face and a chance to chat, something particularly valued by those who may struggle to get out as much as they would like.

Simon Rickard, Service Manager for Royal Voluntary Service said: “Our research highlights the serious impact not having access to transport can have on people’s lives, particularly the isolation and anxiety it can cause. Our Volunteer Drivers play a vital role in counteracting these effects, offering not just transport but a crucial connection to the community. We’re urging locals to join our volunteer team in Pembrokeshire. Just a few hours of your time could make a world of difference to the health, and happiness, of the person in your passenger seat.”

Volunteer Drivers use their own vehicles to provide transport for local people. Royal Voluntary Service will provide all necessary training and travel expenses are reimbursed. This role offers flexible hours, allowing volunteers to choose how much time they would like to contribute. By giving even just a couple of hours, a volunteer can make a big difference to someone’s wellbeing and happiness.

Volunteer driving is just one of the rewarding roles available with Royal Voluntary Service, people looking to find out more and play their part in supporting their community in Pembrokeshire can visit: royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/volunteering