Community

Missing out on bedtime stories

Published

9 years ago

June 22, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Encouraged to read:
Bookish charity BookStart found that only 37%
of children in Wales are read to before bed

SHOCKING statistics which have been revealed by Booktrust, Britain’s largest reading charity, have shown that only a measly 37% of children in Wales are read a bedtime story before they go to sleep.

This research has been conducted as part of BookTrust’s drive to get children and families into the habit of reading together every day while children are still young.

Evidence has shown that by reading together every day, parents will help their children to be almost 12 months ahead of their age group when they start school.

For busier parents, even reading to children three to five times a week gives them up to a six-month head-start over those who are read to less often.

Wales’ result is much lower than any other region in the UK except for London, where only a meagre 28% of children are read a book by a family member in the 20 minutes before they go to sleep.

Cardiff fared particularly badly in the results, with parents and carers in the Welsh capital less likely to read to their children before bedtime than any other city in the UK.

Only 30% of children in Cardiff said that they read with a family member before going to bed, compared to 55% of children in Bristol, the highest scoring city, and 42% as a UK wide average.

Making reading a bedtime story part of your nightly routine can have real benefits for both children and tired parents.

Diana Gerald, CEO of BookTrust, said: “Reading together at any time of day has real benefits, but there’s something extra special about a bedtime story.

“Children need to feel safe and secure when they sleep, and reading together creates a special quiet time to wind down together.

“Storytime also enhances children’s vocabulary and literacy skills, and enables them to foster a love of reading.’

Through its Bookstart programme, BookTrust is hoping to support families to make sure that reading together every day remains a top priority.

Through Bookstart, every child in Wales can receive free English and Welsh books in their first year of life and again when they are two years old.

Between Monday (Jun 6) and Sunday (Jun 12), the charity will be celebrating National BookStart Week, working with libraries and various early years teams across Wales.

This year’s theme of ‘Under the Sea’ is based on the fun picture book ‘A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea’ by Jessica Law, which will be given free to every child who attends the National Bookstart Week events.

National Bookstart Week was launched at Rhyl SeaQuariaum on Monday (June 6), with a fun family event led by Denbighshire Libraries’ BookStart Team.

There are hundreds of free events for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their families which are being held at libraries, nurseries and in early years sessions across the country. Events include stories, rhymes and lots of fun activities to inspire families to read together and enjoy books.

Bethan Hughes, Customer Service Manager at Denbighshire Libraries, said: “Reading and sharing books every day has huge benefits for all children, however young they are.

“Children who read and enjoy books are happier, healthier and do better in life than those who don’t.

“Local libraries welcome children from birth and offer free access to fabulous children’s books – for bedtime stories and reading at any time of day.”

More information about National BookStart Week, as well as fun activities for families, can be found on the BookStart website.

BookStart is funded by the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills and delivered in partnership with Welsh libraries and Health Visitors.

Community

Haverfordwest’s first memory tree brings community together this Christmas

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Spud Box is delighted to launch a brand-new festive initiative for the people of Pembrokeshire – Haverfordwest’s first Memory Tree, now open to the public at our premises.

The idea, inspired by Drew from The Big Pembs Panto, invites members of the community to write and hang personal messages on the tree. These can be tributes to loved ones, cherished memories, or simple Christmas wishes.

The project has been created to give people a meaningful way to connect during the festive season. All materials – including paper, plastic pockets and ribbon – are provided free of charge. Visitors are also welcome to enjoy complimentary hot drinks, kindly supplied by Connect: Pembrokeshire, along with mince pies donated by Brakes.

Anyone who prefers to create their message at home can bring it in, and the team will be happy to help attach it to the tree.

Donations are being encouraged in support of Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity, making the Memory Tree both a reflective and charitable community event.

The tree itself looks spectacular thanks to Sion from DSR Batteries, who supplied the lighting. The project has also received generous support from Marty at Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity and Pure West Radio. Spud Box welcomes other community groups or organisations who wish to get involved.

Community

Pembrokeshire Lottery makes Superdraw winner’s Christmas extra special

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ONE lucky Pembrokeshire Lottery player has scooped a festive windfall after winning the £10,000 Christmas Superdraw held on Wednesday 3 December.

The winner, Mr Damon McGarvie, formerly of Milford Haven and now living in Llangwm, was selected with lucky number 41475. He plays through a salary-deduction scheme run by his employer, Pembrokeshire County Council.

Mr McGarvie’s name was announced live on Radio Pembrokeshire, after which the Pembrokeshire Lottery team made contact and presented him with his cheque later that day.

Speaking after the win, Mr McGarvie said he and his wife will be jetting off on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday over the festive period, thanks to the surprise Christmas windfall.

Pembrokeshire Lottery Manager Abigail Owens said:
“I am so pleased for Mr McGarvie. He has contributed to the Pembrokeshire Lottery for many years, and it is only by the continued support of our players that we are able to assist so many local businesses with interest-free funding from the loan fund.”

The regular weekly £2,000 draws continue in the run-up to the January Superdraw, which will offer a £4,000 prize.

To sign up or order Pembrokeshire Lottery gift subscriptions for Christmas, call 01646 690800.

Photo caption: Damon McGarvie with his winner’s cheque.

Community

Care home fees in Wales remain among the lowest – but families still face crippling bills

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WALES continues to offer some of the most affordable care home places in the UK, with residents paying hundreds of pounds less each week than in London or Scotland, new figures reveal.

The average weekly cost of a residential care home place in Wales stands at £1,156 – £392 cheaper than in London (£1,548) and £142 below the UK average of £1,298, according to data published by the country’s largest care home reviews website, carehome.co.uk.

Even when nursing care or specialist dementia support is required, Wales remains significantly cheaper than most of the UK. A week in a Welsh nursing home with dementia care costs £1,440 on average – £327 less than in London and £124 below the national figure.

The figures, based on self-funder fees collected on 9 September 2025, underline a stark north-south divide that has persisted for years.

London is by far the most expensive region, with basic residential care now averaging £1,548 a week. Scotland, where care workers benefit from a higher minimum wage settlement, comes a close second at £1,539. In contrast, the North East of England remains the cheapest area at just £1,112 a week for residential care – almost £200 below the UK average.

Sue Learner, editor of carehome.co.uk, said the regional variations were only part of the story.

“Wales is the third most affordable region for most types of care, which will come as a relief to many families here,” she said. “But even at £1,156 a week, the bills add up to almost £60,000 a year. For the 49 per cent of residents who pay for their own care, these costs are devastating.”

The financial pressure is compounded by differing rules on state help across the UK. In Wales, anyone with assets below £50,000 qualifies for local authority support – more than double England’s £23,250 threshold and well above Scotland’s £35,000 limit.

Ms Learner warned that rising staff wages and looming increases in employer National Insurance contributions would push fees higher everywhere.

“Local councils are already stretched to breaking point,” she said. “Without genuine reform of the social care system – something governments have been promising for decades – more and more families will have no choice but to sell the family home to fund care.”

The website, which carries 390,000 independently verified reviews, is urging people to plan early and seek expert advice. Its free Care Helpline (01488 501 499) is available to anyone looking for a home that offers both quality and value for money.

As the population ages and demand grows, campaigners say the latest figures are another reminder that the postcode lottery in care costs shows no sign of disappearing.