With only a few weeks of the school summer holidays left, whilst some children may be looking forward to getting back into the routine of school and seeing friends, for many it can be an anxious time filled with back-to-school worries. Carmarthenshire based online ‘happiness shop’ Spiffy, explore ways parents and carers can support children and young people to have a smoother start to the new term.
Charity ‘Versus Arthritis’ are offering a taster session of chair based exercise for people with arthritis at their Llanelli support group this August. The social group is open to people in the area with arthritis and offers an opportunity to meet up regularly and make new friends and receive advice and guidance. The August group (meeting on 15th August from 1pm – 2pm) will welcome Carmarthenshire based Gayle Perks for this special session at Llanelli Library (head to the Fred Roberts room). Gayle has experience of running pilates groups locally and will promote the benefits of this accessible form of exercise. Find out more here.
Carmarthenshire County Council say that ‘every day 8 million individual pieces of plastic enter the world’s oceans’ and that ‘the majority of traceable beach litter in the UK comes from the public’. To help keep our local beaches clean the Council are promoting and encouraging local people to do a #2MinuteBeachClean using litter pickers and bags provided on special ‘beach clean boards’. The #2MinuteBeachClean campaign is run by Charity ‘The 2 Minute Foundation’ who are devoted to cleaning up our planet 2 minutes at a time. Burry Port café ‘Crazie Crepes’ is the latest local business ‘on board’. During the cafes opening hours (10am – 4pm) you can use the litter pickers and bags provided on the ‘beach clean board’ to help keep the area clean. To find out more about community litter picks or two minute clean boards email prideinyourpatch@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or find out more here.
Although we may have enjoyed the long hot days of summer, the recent heatwaves are a stark reminder of the threat of global warming and the climate crisis. With the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) highlighting the global priority of climate change, many people (young people in particular) are reportedly experiencing what’s being described as ‘eco anxiety’. For those struggling (young and old), it can help to feel more connected to nature and understand what can be done to help, both individually and collectively. Welsh charity ‘Size of Wales’ is aiming to support young people by engaging them in climate change and political issues. Working with the Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA), the charity is running digital ‘MockCOP’ interactive sessions this September for young people aged 14-18. The sessions will give students across Wales the chance to learn about the UN and the annual climate change talks, acting as different nations whilst discussing the global issues before agreeing an international resolution. To get involved find out more here.
Shoppers in Nantycaws can now enjoy a more sustainable shopping experience as a NEW ETO shop has opened at Nantycaws Recycling Centre. The shop which sells repaired and re-purposed items donated from local residents is the second ETO shop to open in Carmarthenshire following the launch of the scheme in Llanelli. The scheme hopes to reduce waste of household items that are too good to throw away. As well as visiting the two ETO shops at Llanelli and Nantycaws, local people can donate unwanted items at donation stations found at recycling centres across Carmarthenshire. Find out more here.
Have an idea to make your community even better? Eden Project Community Camp might be for you! Community minded people across Wales who want to
An education partnership aimed at helping children explore the natural environment, produce and food networks of Pembrokeshire is enjoying some very colourful shoots of success,
The Roots Programme seeks to break down barriers and bring people together. Roots invite you to join one of their 6 week online exchanges of
Mental health support for all available through 111 phone line.
Did you know that we have some of these amazing places right here in West Wales?
Can we get even more from our woodland wanders or forest strolls? South Wales based Rebecca Perkins believes that the act of ‘forest bathing’ and connecting with the natural environment can be a powerful experience that can support our mental and physical health.
Pure West Radio will broadcast on 87.7FM for a trial period of one month from July 23rd and making Pembrokeshire community updates more accessible to tens of thousands of people.
Last year, we wrote about the beginning of the SPAN Arts autumn season of Art Well activities including Theatr Soffa (community online theatre), Remote Choir
While the summer holidays are a welcome relief for many teenagers, for others the lack of schedule and separation from friends can prove to be more difficult, particularly for those who live in more isolated rural communities. The Mental Health Foundation report that a fifth of adolescents will experience mental health problems in any given year, and 50 % of problems are established by the age of 14. So, it’s important to ensure our children feel more comfortable in coming forward about mental health issues and to offer them some useful self-help tools.
Created with and for young people, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families has developed an excellent resource of self-care tips and advice for teenagers. The strategies cover a wide range of topics, with helpful advice on everything from physical exercise and hobbies to goal setting and personal hygiene. Not only is the information useful for teenagers themselves, but it’s well worth a read if you’re a parent who wants to find ways to support their children through those sometimes challenging teenage years.
To access the resources, click here.
If you live in Ceredigion and have a disabled child, you could get some extra support for your family from DASH. DASH are a local organisation created by parents, for parents, who offer a wide range of support and activities for all ages. The aim of the scheme is to enhance the quality of life of children and young people living with a disability, and their siblings. That includes everything from helping children to access their local community and join leisure activities to offering day trips and short breaks for the family.
The initiative not only gives families an opportunity to make mutually supportive connections with others in similar circumstances but also gives children and young people the chance to have fun, make friends and learn valuable life skills.
To find out more about DASH activity days, playschemes and youth groups that might be available to you, visit the DASH Ceredigion website or check out their latest news and activities on the DASH Facebook page.
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