News
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home supported by Caring Communities Innovation Grant
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home were delighted to hear that a recent application to the Caring Communities Innovation
Grant was successful. The Grant, which is coordinated by PAVS (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services)
awarded £1,523.48 towards the charities ‘Equipping the Community to be Independent Phase 2’ project.
The Caring Communities Innovation Grant panel members were supportive of this particular ‘Phase’ of the project as
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home identified that the purchases would see positive outcomes for end of life patients,
families and carers. The Grant funded the purchase of reclining bath chairs, accessories and TENS machines.
PAVS administers the Caring Communities Innovation Grant from the Welsh Government’s Integrated Care Fund,
which offers grants for new and innovative projects in Pembrokeshire that will help older people, people with
learning disabilities and unpaid and young carers with their health and wellbeing.
Vanessa John, PAVS Third Sector Support Manager said “The panel were pleased to award funding to the Paul Sartori
Foundation to purchase this much needed equipment that will be used to improve the care and support provided for
patients.”
“We are delighted and very grateful to the Caring Communities Innovation Grant team for supporting this project
and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Equipment Loan Service. This grant has enabled the charity to purchase
specific items to support end of life patients, their families and carers in Pembrokeshire now, and in many years to
come,” said Pat Coombs, Clinical Coordinator and Equipment Facilitator at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.
The Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Equipment Loan Service rely on specific donations to fund the purchase of new
items of equipment. This grant is part of a diverse range of fundraising initiatives to fund this essential service
delivered in the county which supplements the statutory provision.
‘Equipping the Community to be Independent’ is part of a wider campaign to raise awareness and funds to purchase
a range of new items for patients with any life limiting illness. This equipment is especially for end of life patients
who wish to be cared for, and remain at home, surrounded by their family and friends. Paul Sartori Hospice at Home
launched a campaign at the beginning of June via Crowdfunder, in association with the CALOR Rural Community
Fund, to raise even more money for various items of new equipment. For more information, visit:
https://communityfund.calor.co.uk/psequipping-the-community-to-be-independent.
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provides a wide range of other services to people living in the final stages of a life
limiting illness, including: home nursing care, 24-hour support, standby service, complementary therapy,
bereavement and counselling support, under 18s anticipatory and bereavement support, physiotherapy, advance
care planning and training. These services, provided by the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service, enable people in
the later stages of any life limiting illness to be cared for and to die at home with dignity, independence, pain free
and surrounded by those they hold most dear if that is their wish. Services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year, thanks to the kind generosity of the Pembrokeshire Community. Further information on the charity and its
services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by phoning 01437 763223.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
-
News3 days ago
Police investigating after woman found dead on beach near Pennar
-
News3 days ago
Police discover body in search for Luke Stephenson, 19
-
News3 days ago
Councillors block Milford Haven boxing event – promoter to appeal
-
Crime4 days ago
Llandissilio man accused of making hundreds of child abuse images
-
News2 days ago
Beautiful, funny and lovely: Family pay tribute to Sian Batchelor
-
Business4 days ago
Lidl GB eyes Pembroke Dock for new larger supermarket
-
News4 days ago
Search efforts continue for missing teenager Luke Stephenson
-
News6 days ago
‘Honest’ caravan site owner ran site ‘under the radar’ for 20 years