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.

Community events planned in lead-up to June street festival

BUSINESSES in Milford Haven are preparing for the return of the town’s popular Founder’s Day celebration, with a series of fundraising events planned in the coming months to support the much-loved community festival.

Members of Milford Haven Business Circle are once again organising Founder’s Day, which will take place on Saturday (Jun 6) on Charles Street.

The event has become a highlight of the town’s calendar, drawing together local businesses, performers, families and visitors for a day of entertainment and celebration in the heart of Milford Haven.

To help fund the event, organisers have put together a programme of community fundraising activities in the lead-up to June.

The first of these is a Curry Night hosted by The Taste of Haven café on Charles Street on Saturday (Mar 21). The evening will begin at 6:00pm and promises a curry-themed dining experience in a relaxed and sociable setting. Tickets cost £25 per person and can be booked directly through the café.

Next on the calendar is the Big Bingo Bash at the Boulevard Theatre on Friday (Apr 11). The family-friendly evening will offer a lively take on traditional bingo, with prizes and entertainment planned throughout the night. Doors open at 6:30pm, with eyes down at 7:00pm. Organisers are also inviting local businesses to donate prizes to support the fundraising effort.

Music fans will also have the chance to attend “Alfie – The Elvis Experience”, taking place at the Pill Social Centre on Saturday (Apr 25). The event will feature a tribute performance celebrating the music of Elvis Presley. Standard tickets are £10, while a VIP table package costing £100 includes seating for six people, nibbles and a complimentary bottle of wine.

Tickets are available from Moon Goddess Emporium on Charles Street, Ambulance Friends on Charles Street, or online via Eventbrite.

Another highlight in the fundraising programme will be StyleFest 26, a charity fashion show celebrating local style and creativity. The event is being organised in partnership with Captured Soul Photography and will showcase collections from Elizabeth Christie Bridalwear, Chic Boutique and Haverfordwest Soroptimists, who are sponsoring the prom section of the show.

Standard tickets for StyleFest 26 cost £10, with VIP tables available for £100 including seating for six guests, nibbles and a complimentary bottle of wine.

Organisers say they are also keen to hear from additional boutiques, models and creative professionals interested in taking part in the show. Hair stylists, makeup artists, backstage volunteers and technical support are also being invited to get involved.

Alongside the events, community raffles are also helping to boost the fundraising campaign. Local business Patch has donated two hampers, with tickets available at The Taste of Haven. Captured Soul Photography is also offering the chance to win a performing arts portfolio photography session worth £400 through a raffle on its Facebook page.

Organisers say the growing programme of events reflects strong support from Milford Haven’s business community and they hope residents and visitors will come along to enjoy the activities while helping support preparations for Founder’s Day.

When the event returns in June, Charles Street will once again be transformed into a lively celebration of the town’s businesses, creativity and community spirit.

A HISTORIC theatre in Fishguard has unveiled a newly carved replica foundation stone after the original, dating back nearly 150 years, became too weathered to read.

The ceremony took place on Sunday [Mar 8] at Theatr Gwaun, where staff, trustees and volunteers gathered to mark the installation of the replacement stone.

The original foundation stone was laid in 1878 by Martha Philipps when the building first opened as a Temperance Hall. Over the decades, exposure to the elements caused the inscription to fade significantly, raising concerns that the historic detail would eventually be lost.

The project to preserve the stone was driven by Swanny MacCarthy, a former Fishguard resident with strong ties to the theatre. Mr MacCarthy previously volunteered as a carpenter at Theatr Gwaun and has also appeared on stage there.

After noticing the deteriorating condition of the stone, he set about organising a replacement.

To recreate the original, Mr MacCarthy commissioned Goodwick sculptor Darren Yeadon, who produced an accurate replica carved from local spotted dolerite – also known as Preseli bluestone. The new stone was made in two pieces to match the design of the original.

Over recent weeks, Mr MacCarthy and Mr Yeadon carefully removed the old stone and installed the replica in its place.

Despite wet weather on the day, the unveiling ceremony went ahead successfully, with those involved in the theatre’s running turning out to witness the moment.

Theatr Gwaun has thanked both men for their work, paying particular tribute to Mr MacCarthy for spearheading the effort to preserve an important piece of the building’s history.

Among those attending the ceremony were relatives of Martha Philipps, including her direct descendant Dafydd Williams. Mr Williams still owns the mason’s trowel used by Mrs Philipps when she laid the original foundation stone in 1878.

The replacement ensures the historic inscription can continue to be seen and appreciated by future visitors.

Originally established as a Temperance Hall, the building has evolved over the years and today operates as a popular community theatre and cinema at the heart of Fishguard.