Community

Carer honoured for her work has earned national

Published

11 years ago

December 1, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Inspirational carer: Helen was awarded for her work.

A woman has earned national recognition for helping to restore the life of a brain injured man. Helen Beddington was honoured at a glittering Oscars-style awards night in Cardiff City Hall, hosted by BBC presenter Lucy Owen, and organised by Care Forum Wales, to acknowledge and reward excellence in the social care sector. Helen, who works for Elliots Hill Care of Haverfordwest, won joint bronze in the supported living care practitioner category, sponsored by Pendine Park Teaching Care Centre, at the 2014 Wales Care Awards A man, who was left in a coma after a horrendous car accident nearly 13 years ago, now produces wonderful sculptures, goes skiing and attends rock concerts, thanks to around the clock care from Helen and her specialist team.

Helen, 56, from Haverfordwest, joined the Elliots Hill care team looking after a man who had been badly injured after he had been hit by a car as he got out of his own vehicle to make a telephone call. The local man, now 58, was left in a coma and emerged with the use of only one arm and brain damage which has severely limited his ability to communicate. “I started as part of the team and then three months later I was team leader. It’s very challenging but very interesting work.

He is particularly vulnerable in every way, especially medically. Although there is a lot of clinical work he attends workshops and he welds and makes amazing sculptures.” But he is also taken sit-skiing, carriage driving, attends concerts and festivals: “He can understand practically everything and he has some speech but working so closely with him we have a very good rapport and he can ask for something by signing or signalling and he can write a little. I have an amazing team of about 10 looking after him 24/7 with always two of us on duty,” said Helen, who involves the man’s partner in all care decisions. Such dedication had Helen working 50 hours a week, sometimes even on her day off, but that changed when her father – who died at the end of August – was diagnosed with leukaemia.

“When dad was diagnosed they gave him six to eight weeks to live but he died a year and a week after he was diagnosed. I used to go in twice a day to give him his chemo injections.” Joe Masters was an instrument engineer – and a talented photographer – who had spent much of his early life working for the oil industry, which involved Helen living in Libya and Abu Dhabi as a youngster. She was about eight when she went to school in Libya and afterwards attended boarding school in Bristol, ‘commuting’ back to Libya in the holidays at a time in the Seventies when plane hi-jacks were a regular occurrence.

After school Helen worked for a time teaching children English in Abu Dhabi and then working as a front office secretary for a large hotel group before returning home. Her colourful Dad, a former youth rugby player in Newport, who had once had to escape from Beirut when ‘things kicked off’, had bought a place in Haverfordwest which in the Seventies he thought was one of the most beautiful places in Wales.

Although Helen has spent most of her working life in the social care sector, she diverted for about seven years to join her father in photography, which played an increasingly more important part of his professional life, and she travelled much of mid and south west Wales for a school photography business. Helen, who attended the awards with partner Ben, has a daughter and son, from her previous marriage, and is awaiting her sixth grandchild.

Elliots Hill training co-ordinator Jo Swift said: “Helen’s dogged determination in pursuit of getting things right and taking on the professionals when she feels they are not meeting this gentleman’s needs is quite extraordinary. She never expects praise as she thinks that what she does should be done by all – a rare quality.” Mario Kreft, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said there was a record number of nominations and the standard was extremely high. He added: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.

I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights in the months and years to come. This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales. We take our hats off to them.”

Business

BPCA calls for stronger action to protect Welsh homes from pests

Published

4 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Richard Lewis

AHEAD of the Senedd elections in May, British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is calling on the next Welsh Government to do more to protect people in Wales from preventable pest problems in their homes.

In its new manifesto for public health pest management in Wales, the national trade body says no one should have to live with rats, cockroaches, flies or other pests because of poor housing conditions, slow repairs or inadequate waste management.

Housing, public health and environmental regulation are devolved to the Senedd.

BPCA is urging Welsh policymakers to make sure protections against pest problems apply to all renters, not just those in social housing.

The Association warned that pests in homes are not just a nuisance and can pose a risk to health.

Rodents can spread diseases, including leptospirosis, salmonella and listeria, while also causing damage by gnawing pipes and wiring. Cockroaches, flies, and other insects can spread pathogens, contaminate food and damage belongings.

Rosina Robson, Chief Exec of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), said: “Too many people are still being left to deal with pest problems that could and should have been prevented.

“Where there are building defects, poor waste management or delays to repairs, infestations can quickly take hold. That has a real impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life.

“It should not matter whether someone lives in social housing, private rented housing or temporary accommodation. The risks posed by pests are the same, and the protections should be too.

“We want the next Welsh Government to recognise the danger pests pose in people’s homes and make sure everyone in Wales has the right to live in a decent home that is protected from avoidable infestations.”

BPCA’s manifesto calls on the next Welsh Government to:

Recognise the danger that pests pose to the health and well-being of tenants
Ensure protections for all renters, including people living in social rented, private rented and temporary accommodation
Back a stronger public health approach to pest management in Wales.

The manifesto also highlights the wider role of professional pest management in protecting public health, food supply chains and the built environment across Wales.

BPCA says tackling pests properly means more than responding once an infestation has taken hold. Landlords and property managers also need to act on the advice of pest professionals, including improving communal waste disposal, repairing defects in buildings and addressing the conditions that allow pests to thrive.

Niall Gallagher, BPCA’s Technical Manager, added: “We wouldn’t accept pest activity in places such as factories or restaurants where food is prepared, and people should not be expected to put up with the same risks in their own homes.

“This is about prevention, public health and basic standards. Wales has an opportunity to lead the way and make sure fewer people are left living in misery because of pests.”

BPCA’s full manifesto, A manifesto for public health pest management in Wales, is available from the Association’s website.

Community

Police intervene after post raises fears of planned Pembroke Dock fight

Published

14 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Extra patrols launched after social media alert in aftermath of Tenby stabbings

POLICE intervened after an online warning raised fears of a planned fight involving young people in Pembroke Dock.

The development came in the immediate aftermath of the shocking stabbings of four youths at Tenby railway station on Tuesday night, which have caused serious concern across Pembrokeshire.

Pembroke Dock and Pembroke Police said they were made aware of social media posts suggesting a fight had been arranged for Friday afternoon (Apr 10), and that the reports were treated with “the utmost seriousness”.

The Herald understands concerns were flagged directly to Dyfed-Powys Police after troubling material was seen online, including a post warning parents about an alleged planned fight in Memorial Park, Pembroke Dock.

The post urged parents to check their children’s phones and referred to claims that children as young as nine could be involved, with allegations that knives were being discussed in group chats on social media.

In a statement, BCU Commander for Pembrokeshire, Superintendent Louise Harries said: “These reports have been treated with the utmost seriousness, and our priority is to ensure the safety of residents in this area, as well as disrupting any kind of violent or anti-social behaviour that occurs.

“Today, our officers have taken proactive measures to identify those involved in the planned activity, and have spoken to each young person, along with their parents and guardians.

“I’d like to thank the young people involved for co-operating with our officers and for their understanding of the potential dangers and risks posed by planning such an event.

“To provide further reassurance, officers and Neighbourhood Policing Teams will carry out patrols of the area and will be happy to speak with any members of the community about any concerns they may have.

“As we come to the end of the Easter holidays, I continue to urge parents, carers, and guardians to be aware of their children’s whereabouts.”

Police said neighbourhood officers would carry out extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance and deter any further anti-social or violent behaviour.

The latest development is likely to deepen fears of further youth disorder following the serious violence in Tenby earlier this week.

Anyone with concerns or information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via 101 or online. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Community

PCSO clocks in after villagers raise speeding fears

Published

21 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HERBRANDSTON residents flagged fast-moving traffic as a key concern, prompting police to carry out speed checks in the village.

Concern over speeding in Herbrandston has prompted a local police response, with PCSO Adam out in the village carrying out speed checks after residents raised the issue through DPP Connect.

Milford Haven and Neyland Police said the concerns emerged after officers signed local people up to the messaging service, which allows residents to share feedback and receive updates from police.

Many of those who responded said speeding through the village was one of their main worries.

In response, PCSO Adam was deployed to monitor traffic and check vehicle speeds.