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.

TWENTY projects across Wales have received grants of up to £500 to hold events or services that enable communities to support people through grief or ill-health.  

£10,000 of funding was given to the projects which reached more than 500 people and included group sessions for bereaved children, creative workshops for those grieving the loss of loved ones through suicide and remembrance events for veterans.

The funding from Macmillan Cancer Support was delivered through Age Cymru in its role as secretariat of Compassionate Cymru. As well as directly supporting projects, the programme also brought organisations together to share, learn and grow their ability to support people through some of the toughest moments of their lives. 

Though Age Cymru primarily works to support older people in Wales, the Compassionate Cymru funding was available to any charity or organisation that supported people of all ages through dealing with grief and loss.

Sandy Bear is a children’s bereavement charity based in Pembrokeshire, but operates across Wales, providing one-to-one and peer-group support to ensure children and young people are able to understand death, to fully express grief; and to manage loss in a positive way that equips them for life in future.

Through the funding, around 50 bereaved children across Wales were able to attend group sessions run by the charity, giving them a safe space to explore their feelings and process their grief with other children facing similar challenges.

Lee Barnett, C.E.O, from Sandy Bear, said the sessions not only provided immediate emotional support but also helped the charity reach more children. “Children felt listened to, supported, and less alone in their experiences. Many reported increased confidence in talking about their loss, a greater sense of connection with others, and an improved understanding of their own emotions. For many children, this was their first opportunity to engage with specialist bereavement support in a structured, compassionate setting, which was invaluable.” 

Kelly Barr from Age Cymru who managed the project, said: “To lose a loved one is never easy, but for many people in Wales, they are trying to grieve while also dealing with profound personal or situational challenges. Whether that is mental health, financial or even just the circumstances of loss, where bereavement may be sudden or unexpected. 

“Thousands of children across Wales experience bereavement every year, and for them it can be a confusing and frightening experience, with many not knowing how to process the feelings they have or what life will look like for them after a loss.

“That’s why we are so proud to have been able to work with our partners at Compassionate Cymru and Macmillan to help make such a difference across Wales. The variety of events, workshops and support systems that were empowered by this funding was wonderful to see, and of course they would be nothing without the fantastic people and organisations behind them.”   

For more information about Age Cymru, you can contact your local Age Cymru office, call us on 0300 303 44 98, or you can go to www.agecymru.wales.