A GROUP of children and young people have benefitted from a £3,000 grant from the Community Cohesion Small Grants Fund that helps celebrate diversity and builds strong relationships between communities.

Tonic Surf, a therapy project that uses surfing and the beach as a recovery tool for children and young people aged 14-25, has been able to offer a 10-week surf therapy course to 10 service users across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, with funds provided by the grant.

Along with Walkin on Water Surf School, Tonic Surf partnered with Hywel Dda’s Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service to deliver a therapeutic surfing programme, with participants attending weekly surf sessions at Poppit Sands. They were supported by two qualified surf coaches and accompanying staff from the EIP team.

Service users benefitted from more than just surf instruction, they also got to spend time outdoors and connect with nature. They were able to learn a new skill at their own pace and engage in physical activity.

The project helped build social connections between service users, provided healthy coping strategies and supported their recovery.

Cerian Morris, Community Psychiatric Nurse, EIP, said: “We are so grateful to the Mid and South West Wales Community Cohesion Team for the funding. Although each session lasted just two hours, for many attendees the experience became a full‑day positive routine, offering structure and purposeful activity each week.”

She added: “Research has found that graded exposure to more community-based activities has a very positive impact on young people who are experiencing general and social anxiety.

“Tonic surf therapy uses the marine environment as a recovery tool for children and young people. This supports integration with the local community for a group which is often isolated and stigmatised, and it supports young people to overcome loneliness and isolation at a formative stage of their lives.

“By sharing the exhilarating experience of surfing with other young people, the project supports this marginalised group to build important connections with others in their peer group and gives them the resources and resilience to help them overcome their mental health issues.”

Kay Howells, Community Cohesion Coordinator, Mid and South West Wales Community Cohesion Team, said: “Our funding aims to strengthen relationships between communities and support those who may face isolation or barriers to engagement. Tonic Surf has created a safe, supportive space where young people can thrive, learn new skills and feel included. We’re proud to have played a small part in making this possible.”

PUPILS and staff at Golden Grove Primary School in Pembroke have been recognised for their work promoting global citizenship after receiving a Bronze Award from Christian Aid Cymru’s Global Neighbours scheme.

The award recognises the school’s efforts to encourage children to think about global poverty and injustice while taking practical action in their own community.

Over the past year, pupils have explored issues ranging from homelessness in their local area to the environmental impact of deforestation. The work forms part of the Global Neighbours Cymru – or Cymdogion Byd-Eang – programme, launched by international development charity Christian Aid and The Church in Wales.

The accreditation scheme celebrates schools helping pupils understand the causes of global poverty and inequality while encouraging them to take part in building a fairer world.

Activities undertaken by pupils at Golden Grove have included litter-picking projects, clothes swaps, discussions with local businesses about reducing single-use plastics and inviting community leaders to support environmental and social initiatives.

Miss Thorne-Williams, the school’s Humanities and RVE lead, said: “We are extremely proud to be recognised for the work we have done as a whole school community to raise awareness of the extreme inequalities across our globe and, perhaps more importantly, the steps we can take to address these.

“The pupils learn about global issues regularly and gain an understanding of injustice in our world.

“Our world is increasingly connected, and our hope is for our children to grow as responsible global citizens who care about issues such as the environment and access to healthcare.

“The children have especially enjoyed leading whole-school assemblies based on important global values such as respect and equality, promoting events such as Black History Month and Children in Need, as well as working closely with members of our local community to support those in need.

“We would like to say a special thank you to our learners, staff, parents, governors and members of the wider community who have supported us in achieving this award. This project has been a community effort and we could not be more proud of what we have achieved.”

Rebecca Elliott, Christian Aid Wales Youth and Education Officer, said the programme helps young people better understand global inequality and their role in tackling it.

“Global Neighbours Cymru was launched with a vision of helping young people understand more about the inequalities in this world and the actions they can take both locally and globally,” she said.

“Supporting the Curriculum for Wales, it encourages learners to explore how decisions and actions impact communities in Wales and across the world, now and for future generations.

“It’s wonderful to see how staff and pupils at Golden Grove have taken this to heart and are seeking to tackle injustice.”

Schools across Wales can take part in the Global Neighbours Cymru scheme, which offers three levels of accreditation – bronze, silver and gold. Independent assessors review schools across six areas, including leadership, teaching and learning, collective worship, spiritual development, pupil participation and community engagement.

Photo caption:

Global citizenship: Humanities lead Miss Thorne-Williams with Golden Grove’s RVE ambassadors Amelie, Charlotte, Riley, Joseph, Maisie, Isabella, Freddie, Cody, Zayn, Alfred and Amelia. The school in Pembroke has received a Bronze Award from Christian Aid Cymru’s Global Neighbours Cymru scheme (Pic: Golden Grove School).

THE FIRST concert of the new season for Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir took place among friends made during a Christmas visit to Kensington Court in Steynton, Milford Haven.

After singing carols for residents in December, the choir was invited back to perform a full concert, which was warmly supported by those living at the home.

Musical Director Juliet Rossiter selected a varied programme that included songs from the musicals Les Miserables and Chess, along with favourites requested by residents, including Calon Lan. The choristers themselves were treated to a special rendition of Myfanwy.

Accompanist William Lambert also entertained the audience, performing three solo items. He concluded with the much-loved Morecambe and Wise classic Bring Me Sunshine, with residents and choir members joining in.

Deputy MC Ed Morris rose to the occasion with a lively selection of jokes, many aimed at different sections of the choir — something that may yet see his popularity questioned among his fellow singers.

Thanking the choir and musical team, Rosemary Cooper presented Juliet Rossiter with a donation on behalf of the residents.

Refreshments and cakes were enjoyed afterwards, thanks to volunteers Gail, Jackie, Gareth and Linda.

Choir rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm at St Teilo’s Church Hall in Pembroke Dock. Anyone interested in trying male choral singing is welcome to come along and join what members describe as a friendly and welcoming fraternity.