THE PEMBROKESHIRE Coast Charitable Trust has received generous support from the Swire Charitable Trust to expand inclusive volunteering opportunities across the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The Pathways project enables a broad range of individuals from local communities to participate in supported outdoor volunteering activities. This initiative prioritises accessibility and inclusivity, offering opportunities for individuals who may not otherwise be able to engage in volunteering. Through tailored activities and the support of experienced lead volunteers, the project provides a safe and welcoming environment for participants to learn new skills and work collaboratively.

Graham Peake, Pathways Project Lead, said: “The Swire Charitable Trust’s support has been instrumental in ensuring that more people can experience the benefits of volunteering while contributing to conservation and heritage projects across the National Park. Through Pathways, we are not only enhancing our natural environment but also fostering a sense of community and belonging.”

In 2024, the Pathways project delivered 86 volunteering sessions, contributing a remarkable 825.5 volunteer days across more than 30 sites in Pembrokeshire. Volunteers took part in a diverse range of practical conservation and heritage tasks. These included community archaeology site work, where volunteers cleared gorse and helped preserve ancient monuments, as well as hedge laying and hedge bank restoration at St Brides. Other activities involved scrub clearance and coppicing at Brynberian and Newport, removing invasive species such as Himalayan balsam, and tree planting to enhance biodiversity.

Volunteers also worked on habitat creation by planting wildflowers to improve meadow ecosystems and undertook path maintenance and access improvements to support public safety and conservation work. The project further engaged in specialist activities, including fungal identification walks at Tŷ Canol National Nature Reserve and the installation of a new notice board at St Govans, Castlemartin.

Pathways has had a profound impact on the local community, providing opportunities for over 30 volunteers to contribute their time and skills. Evaluations conducted between November 2024 and January 2025 highlighted the project’s social, physical, and mental health benefits. Volunteers consistently reported increased well-being, a greater connection to nature, and the satisfaction of giving back to their community.

Mitch Hill, Pathways Project Lead, said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been witnessing the personal growth of our volunteers. Many have gained new skills, increased their confidence, and even transitioned into further volunteering roles, employment, or education.”

In addition to hands-on conservation work, the project provided vital training for lead volunteers, including mental health awareness, first aid, and equality, diversity, and inclusion training. This investment in volunteer development ensures the sustainability and long-term impact of the programme.

As the project grows, Pathways aims to strengthen partnerships with local organisations, including Mind Pembrokeshire and community groups, to support an even more diverse range of volunteers. It will also broaden its impact on nature recovery through collaboration with the National Trust, the Wildlife Trust, and other conservation partners.

Katie Macro, Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, concluded: “We are incredibly grateful to the Swire Charitable Trust for making Pathways possible. Their support has enabled us to reach more people, deliver meaningful conservation work, and create lasting benefits for both the environment and the local community.”

Visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/volunteering to find out more about Pathways and other volunteering opportunities in the National Park.

STAFF, volunteers and visiting pupils at Lower Treginnis Farm were delighted to welcome a very special guest on Wednesday (April 2), as Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the site in support of the charity Farms for City Children.

The Princess Royal, who has served as Patron of the charity since 1991, spent the afternoon touring the farm, which lies just outside St Davids and is the most westerly farm in Wales. It was her fourth visit to the site since first attending in 2010.

Farms for City Children was founded by author and former Children’s Laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo and Lady Clare Morpurgo. The charity provides immersive week-long farming experiences for urban children, helping them connect with nature, food production and rural life.

During the visit, The Princess Royal met children from Pembroke Dock Community School as they took part in hands-on farm activities including grooming donkeys, feeding rare-breed piglets, and planting vegetables in the market garden.

She also joined the children for a coastal workshop led by Câr y Môr, Wales’ first regenerative seaweed and shellfish farm, which operates just off the nearby shoreline.

Her Royal Highness was accompanied on her tour by Gethin Jones, Farm School Manager, and later met members of The Friends of Treginnis—a local fundraising group that has supported the charity since 1991. Over the past three years, the group has raised more than £30,000 to help schools from across Pembrokeshire, including Pembroke Dock Community School, take part in the farm’s week-long programmes.

Before departing, The Princess Royal was introduced to members of the charity’s staff and to Aled Davies, the farm’s local partner farmer. She was then presented with a gift of fresh farm produce by two pupils, Erin Hubbard and Jack Kinnard.

Tim Rose, Head of Operations for Farms for City Children, said: “We were delighted to welcome The Princess Royal to Lower Treginnis and to share the experience of being ‘farmers for a week’ with her. Her visit was greatly enjoyed by everyone at the farm and it was our pleasure to be able to show her how the work of the charity interacts with so many different aspects of the Pembrokeshire community.

“We are hugely appreciative of Her Royal Highness’s continued support and enthusiasm for the work that we do.”

WALES Air Ambulance Charity has received a donation of £1,850, presented by Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society President Adam Thorne at the Society’s recent Annual General Meeting.

The cheque was handed over to Mike May, the charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager, during the event, which marked the end of Thorne’s term as president.

In total, £3,250 was raised for the life-saving charity during Adam Thorne’s presidency, thanks to the generosity of members and supporters of the Society throughout the year.

Speaking after the presentation, Mr Thorne thanked all those who had contributed: “We’re proud to support the Wales Air Ambulance, which provides a vital service to rural communities across Pembrokeshire and Wales.”

Wales Air Ambulance relies entirely on donations to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. The charity has become a lifeline for patients in hard-to-reach areas, especially in farming and coastal communities.