A wide range of local organizations have been recognised in this year’s Dyfed High Sheriff awards. The citations and awards were presented by the High Sheriff of Dyfed Mrs Sue Balsom at a packed ceremony held at the Conrah Hotel, near Aberystwyth (on Saturday 24th March 2018). The event was also attended by HM Lord Lieutenant Miss Sara Edwards.
Each year the High Sheriff award celebrates voluntary activities that enhance the lives of individuals and the wider community. The 2017-18 awards rewarded organizations that address loneliness in the elderly, young parents and ex-offenders as well as local palliative care. Award winners also included a community centre and the long standing gymnastic Pembrokeshire Special Needs Gymnasts(see photo Mrs Sally Yelland)
In addition, three Dyfed businesses were singled out for their contributions to charity and fundraising by their staff including the Bluestone Foundation.
As well as the special High Sheriffawards, the ceremony also saw the presentation of elevenHigh Sheriff Dyfed Young Persons Awards with grants to support army, navy and aircadet trainingplus Duke of Edinburgh activities, as well as respite for young carers in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. Congratulating the award winners, the High Sheriff commented, “The Shrievalty of Dyfed wishes to record its gratitude to all of these very deserving organizations. However they are but the tip of an iceberg of the wonderful variety of voluntary work carried out in our communities.As public resources become increasingly scarce, the need for mutual support is ever more important. However voluntary work often goes far beyond what any statutory services can provide, not least supporting individuals emotionally and on a one-to-one basis.”
HM Lord Lieutenant Miss Sara Edwardsadded, “May I congratulate you all warmly and thank you for your hard work and ongoing commitment to so many a varied voluntary and charitable activities in Dyfed.”
*Aberystwyth Friendship Group
Founded by Aislinn Knight in 2016, the Aberystwyth Friendship Group offers a programme of activities tailored primarily to the over 50s.Their aim is to offer friendship and support at meetings to alleviate loneliness and isolation in an ageing society.
High Sheriff’s citation: “A fine example of a small community group run by volunteers doing their best to promote good humour, camaraderie and community cohesion – all of this is undertaken voluntarily in the spirit of the famous Beatles son “I get by with a little help from my friends.”
*Auriol
The Auriol project by Wales & West Housing supports ex-offenders and prison leavers, plus mentoring hard to reach individuals at risk of being caught up in the criminal justice system.
High Sheriff’s citation: “The past 12 months have 45 people been supported into secure, sustainable tenancies from being homeless or at risk of homelessness.
*Aberystwyth Beach Buddies
Aberystwyth Beach Buddies was established in 2014 by Sian Obermaierto raise awareness about marine plastic pollution. Now with a large following and work with other groups, volunteersorganise regular community beach cleans on Aberystwyth’s North and South Beaches, Tan y Bwlch, Clarach and Borth.
HS Citation:“The voluntary efforts of this largely young group make a huge difference not only to reducing marine pollution but enhancing the beaches and environment for local residents and of course contributing to the attractiveness of the area for tourists who are vital to the economy.”
*HAHAV Hospice at Home
HAHAV is the Hospice at Home Volunteer service for Aberystwyth, Tregaron, Lampeter and Aberaeron.
The charity provides practical, social and emotional support to patients living with advanced, incurable and progressive illness in the comfort of their own homes. Its services complement palliativecare by specialists, GPs, district nurses and other health professionals.
High Sheriff’s citation: “HAHAV’s volunteers offer much needed support that make such a difference to patients and their carers, including friendship and simple activities such shopping, gardening and dog-walking, as well as supporting carers by offering breaks while the volunteer ‘sits’ with the patient. Fundraising and all support services are achieved by volunteers led by HAHAV’s hard working Chairman Dr Alan Axford and his colleagues.”
*HomeStart Ceredigion
Based in Lampeter, HomeStart Ceredigion offers a lifeline to families with young children in the county. The organization is particularly effective in helping isolated and vulnerable families that traditional agencies find difficult to engage with and support.
High Sheriff’s citation: “By taking support to the family home can help parents access a wider support network and provide a unique set of preventative and early intervention support services that fill gaps in the wider statutory support provision.
HomeStart visits particularly valuable for those in rural areas lacking transport or whose circumstances make trips difficult. Each year between 80 to 100 families and some 250 children are helped and this year the organization is celebrating its 25 year anniversary.”
*Pembrokeshire Special Needs Gymnasts
Based at Milford Haven Leisure Centre Pembrokeshire Special Needs Gymnasts have been running for 18 years and currently the group has 35 gymnasts whose ages range from 3 to 33. The coaches are all volunteers and the club is funded by donations and fundraising.
High Sheriff’s citation: “The highlight for the club last year was travelling to Sheffield in August to take part in the Special Olympicsfor competitors with learning needs. Six children aged between 11 and 19 earned a place in the Welsh team and between them came back with 8 gold medals, 10 silver and 7 bronze. This was an amazing achievement for the group.”
*Penparcau Community Forum
Based at the Hub in the village the Penparcau Community Forum has transformed the Boxing Club building and increased range of activities by partnering with a range of organisations and funders. Activities include a vibrant History & Heritage group; a Food Co-op and Food Bank; a wildlife garden and nature walks and a recently established a Youth Forum for 11-18 year-olds.
High Sheriff’s citation: “Penparcau Community Forum as a community based voluntary charity is going from strength to strength. The Hub has made a real difference to the vibrancy and confidence of Penparcau and special praise must be for Dylan Jones and the Trustees who have led this great initiative.”
Businesses
*Cambrian News
The High Sheriff Award 2017-18 for charitable works by a business in Ceredigion is the Cambrian News.
High Sheriff’s citation: “Today’s award recognizes the newspaper’s role in publicising and promoting so many charitable, voluntary and fundraising initiatives by individuals and organizations. As such it is the glue that binds local communities, highlighting so much fundraising by groups and individuals. The paper has also established the annual Aberystwyth 10k charity race that benefits a wider range of local charities.
Meanwhile the editor Bev Thomas has also pledged to raise £5,ooo for the Cardiac Unit at Bronglais hospital.”
Bluestone Foundation
The High Sheriff Award 2017-18 for charitable works by a business in Pembrokeshire was to the Bluestone Foundation. The award was presented at Bluestone on St David’s Day 2018
High Sheriff’s citation: “The Bluestone Foundation is an amazing charity that supports environmental, economic and social projects in Pembrokeshire. It is funded by donations from guests at the Bluestone National Park Resort and energetic fundraising by its 700 employees.”
In 2017, the Bluestone Foundation Community Fund donated over £21,000 in grants and support to various projects around the county in partnership with Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS).
These include the VC Gallery, Pembrokeshire Darwin Centre, Patch, Action for Children, Fishguard Sea Cadets, Paul Sartori Foundation, Tanyard, Pembrokeshire People First.”
Leekes
The High Sheriff Award 2017-18 for charitable works by a business in Carmarthenshire was to Leekes at Cross Hands. The award was presented at the Leekesstore on Friday 23rd March 2018
High Sheriff’s citation: “The Staff at Leekes stores have raised some £200,000 for the NSPCC during the past ten years. Also each year staff at all levels from Cross Hands and other stores are to be commended for a host of challenges for charity as well as fundraising for other causes such as Children in Need and to support causes related to sick colleagues or their relatives such as the Alzheimer’s Society and Liver Research Foundation.”
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