Charity

Crisis fund plugs gap for Welsh families as support workers warn of ‘severe hardship’

Published

2 months ago

December 10, 2025

Working families among those turning to charity for emergency help

ALMOST four hundred families across Wales — more than 1,300 parents, children and young people — turned to Action for Children for crisis support over a 16-month period to 1 October, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to intensify in the run-up to Christmas.

New data from the charity shows that three in ten applications (31%) for emergency grants came from households where at least one parent is in work, while one in seven families (15%) seeking help were not claiming any means-tested benefits. Frontline support workers say that beyond these one-off grants many families “have nowhere else to turn”.

Across the UK, Action for Children is currently receiving around 300 applications a month for financial help. Three-quarters of frontline staff surveyed said the families they support are facing greater financial pressure than this time last year.

Action for Children, which runs hundreds of services across the UK, analysed data from its Family Fund — delivered in partnership with Nationwide — as part of its annual Secret Santa campaign. The fund provides crisis grants for essentials such as food, appliances, clothing and basic household items.

Between June 2024 and September 2025, nearly £85,000 was distributed to families in Wales alone.

What Welsh families needed most

The charity reports that four essential categories accounted for three-quarters of all crisis spending:

Food (33%)
Household appliances (16%)
Home furnishings and repairs (15%)
Clothing (12%)

Other key findings include:

47% of applications came from families receiving Universal Credit.
61% were from families with one or two children.
49% were from single-parent households.

Support workers described families unable to replace broken beds, parents going without showers to save electricity, and minimum-wage workers unable to afford carpets or basic furniture despite working full-time hours.

One worker said: “A 9-year-old was sleeping in a toddler bed because the family simply couldn’t afford a replacement. They were already falling behind on bills.”

Another reported helping a young single mother: “She had no carpets, barely any furniture, and a sofa she’d been given that was full of fleas. Her wages covered her bills but nothing more. She didn’t qualify for additional support.”

Mental health impact

The charity’s data shows the emotional toll is severe.

74% of Welsh applications recorded anxiety, stress or other mental health concerns linked to financial hardship.
29% noted that children’s mental health was directly affected by money worries at home.

One support worker said children were avoiding socialising: “They don’t ask to go out because they don’t want parents to feel bad when they can’t give them pocket money.”

Charity calls for urgent action

Laurie Ryall, Action for Children’s National Director in Wales, said: “Our Family Fund data lays bare the devastating impact financial hardship is having on vulnerable families — and that doesn’t stop because it’s Christmas. Staff are helping families every day who try their hardest yet still can’t afford to heat their homes or put food on the table. It is heartbreaking to see the toll on parents and children alike.”

She welcomed the UK Government’s child poverty strategy and the decision to scrap the two-child limit, which the charity has long campaigned for, but warned the change will not take effect until April 2026 and will not help all families currently struggling.

“The Welsh Government is also taking steps on child poverty, but families need help now. That’s why we’re asking the public to get behind our Secret Santa campaign so we can continue supporting the children who need us most.”

Case study

Sarah, a single mother from South Wales living with chronic fibromyalgia, relies on Universal Credit and frequently uses food banks. She said Christmas is “an extremely stressful time”.

Her nine-year-old daughter attends Action for Children’s Emoji Project, which helps children understand and express difficult emotions. Last Christmas, the charity provided Sarah with a £250 food voucher and a new bed and mattress for her daughter.

Sarah said the support was transformative: “Every month is a struggle. We were on a pay-as-you-go electricity metre and I often let my daughter shower while I went without. My daughter’s old bed had broken and she was sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I sleep on the sofa, so I couldn’t help her. The shame and worry were enormous.”

“The food voucher took such a weight off my mind. It freed up money for heating. But Christmas still brings panic because I want her to have a magical day without knowing how anxious I am.”

Charity

NSPCC Cymru launches Baby Steps scheme to support new parents across Wales

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New perinatal service aims to help families cope with the pressures of early parenthood

NSPCC CYMRU has launched a new perinatal support programme aimed at helping expectant and new parents across Wales navigate the challenges of caring for a baby.

The Baby Steps service, a redeveloped early-intervention programme, is designed to give parents the tools, confidence and emotional support needed during pregnancy and in a child’s first months of life.

The service was officially launched this week at an event held at BT headquarters in London, attended by The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is a Patron of NSPCC, alongside childcare professionals and public figures.

Baby Steps will initially be piloted through three NSPCC hubs, including the Wales hub, placing Cymru at the forefront of the charity’s rollout of the service.

Carl Harris, Assistant Director for the NSPCC Wales hub, said the evidence-based programme could make a significant difference to families during a crucial stage of a child’s development.

He said: “The early stages of a baby’s life can feel daunting for parents, as they face new challenges every day while trying to give their child the best possible start.

“It is a critical time for a child’s development, and perinatal services like Baby Steps can offer enormous support to help parents through what is an exciting, but sometimes very difficult, period.

“NSPCC Cymru is proud to be leading the way in rolling out this service and supporting parents and children across Wales.”

Figures released alongside the launch highlight the scale of need. During 2024/25, the NSPCC Helpline referred more than 3,800 children under the age of two to external agencies across the UK, including police and social services. This represented almost one fifth (18%) of all referrals made by the Helpline on behalf of a child during the year.

One father who contacted the service described the pressures faced by new parents, saying: “We just can’t get our baby into a routine. It’s been eight weeks, we’re new to parenting and have different opinions, and then our friends all have different advice. It’s causing major arguments and nothing’s working.”

In addition to Baby Steps, the NSPCC website offers a wide range of guidance for parents and carers, including advice on bonding with babies and raising children safely.

Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said the charity was pleased to mark the launch with a royal visit.

He said: “It’s always a privilege to be part of a Royal visit, and we were delighted that HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh was able to join us to celebrate our Baby Steps service.

“As our Helpline data shows, the first couple of years of a child’s life can be an extremely difficult time for parents. Our Helpline regularly hears from parents struggling with the pressures of a newborn, as well as from concerned members of the community.

“The Baby Steps service provides essential building blocks to help parents navigate the earliest stages of their child’s life and ensure they thrive. Any parent or carer who needs support or advice can always contact the NSPCC Helpline.”
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Charity

Milford Haven Round Table thanks town council for backing major community events

Published

3 days ago

January 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN ROUND TABLE has formally thanked Milford Haven Town Council for its continued support, saying the council’s backing helps make some of the town’s biggest free events possible.

The group said the Town Council is a major supporter of its work in Milford Haven and plays a vital role in enabling community celebrations including the Milford Haven Carnival and the annual Fireworks Extravaganza, which draw thousands of people.

Representatives from the Round Table said it was “great to catch up” with the Mayor, Councillor William Elliott, at the Christmas Lights Switch On in December, where they presented a small token of thanks to mark another year of collaboration.

Milford Haven Round Table said it is proud to support the town through fundraising, volunteering and delivering events which create memories, raise money for local causes and strengthen community spirit.

The group added that none of its work would be possible without strong partnerships across Milford Haven, and thanked the Town Council for its “ongoing support, trust and commitment” to the town and its residents.

Charity

Local car enthusiast donates treasured classic to Paul Sartori Hospice at Home

Published

4 days ago

January 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE PAUL SARTORI FOUNDATION is celebrating an act of generosity from local classic car enthusiast Roger Handcock, whose donation of a cherished Mazda MX5 has helped raise £5,500 plus Gift Aid for end-of-life care across Pembrokeshire.

Roger made the decision to donate his 1990 MX5 after a period of ill health over the summer meant the car was no longer being driven. He said he wanted it to be enjoyed — and properly cared for — by someone who would appreciate it as much as he had.

A long-standing member of the Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club, Roger said: “I was ill this summer and my 1990 MX5 was not getting any use, so I decided to part with it in the hope that it would bring some enjoyment and be maintained properly. However, I didn’t have the energy to try to sell it for the highest possible price.

“Being a member of Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club, I decided to donate the car to Paul Sartori Hospice at Home which is one of their favoured charities. In the end a great price was secured for the vehicle, and I am pleased to say that it will still be seen on Pembrokeshire’s roads.”

The Foundation said donations like Roger’s provide a vital source of income, helping to fund free hospice at home support for people nearing the end of life. The service enables patients to remain in the comfort of their own homes, supported by specialist equipment and professional care, while also offering help to families at an incredibly difficult time.

A spokesperson for the Paul Sartori Foundation said they were grateful for Roger’s kindness, adding that the impact of his gift would continue long after the MX5 begins its next chapter on Pembrokeshire’s roads.

Brave donation: Roger Handcock with Paul Sartori Events and Fundraising Officer Joanne Lutwyche (Pic: Paul Sartori Foundation).