Homeless Pembrokeshire have been working together this summer to brighten up Haverfordwest high street with a series of colourful plants and flowers.

Volunteers for the registered charity have planted several containers around the war memorial opposite the charity’s new offices in the High Street, Haverfordwest.

Amanda Evans, for Homeless Pembrokeshire explains how the group got involved with the project and how, thanks to the kindness of local people and services, it has benefited people in the local community.

“‘Top Town’, as it’s known, used to be a thriving commercial area, but nowadays many of the large properties have been converted into flats. Many of the residents have no garden or access to green space, so we decided to add colour and interest to the monument area. Black plastic flower buckets were donated, including some Peat Free Compost by Morrisons, and one of the volunteers personally purchased the plants. Since May this year, Homeless Pembrokeshire volunteers have painted, weeded, planted and kept the area tidy and now the memorial is a riot of colour.”

The feedback from the project has been very positive, with many people noticing and appreciating the hard work that has been done by the charity in their area.

“Every day we receive positive comments from residents and visitors to the area, but the added bonus is that wildlife has returned, including honey bees. The only downside for us is the watering every day by hand, but for those close by with no garden they now have a planted area to enjoy.”

Homeless Pembrokeshire is a registered charity and they were provided with an office by Jerry Evans of Jemima Properties, for rent of £3.00 for 3 years in February 2021, through a chance meeting.

Amanda says,

“We help those who are homeless with emergency rough sleeper packs, domestic abuse packs, fuel credit & food when in crisis including a baby bank. The help is provided via outreach all year round and is often out of hours, so as you can imagine, it keeps us rather busy.”

The office is on the High Street, Haverfordwest opposite the South African War Memorial, that is in remembrance of the 44 Pembrokeshire men who fell in the South African War of 1899 -1902.

To find out more about Homeless Pembrokeshire or to get involved with the charity, visit their website.