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Powys County Times
12 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Llandrindod's Samaritans branch could be under threat
UNCERTAINTY clouds the future of Powys' sole Samaritans branch, after the suicide prevention charity announced that at least half of its offices in the UK will close. The proposals were revealed in a video message to staff earlier this month, sent by the leadership of the charity. It is believed there is no definitive view on how many branches the charity will close, but chief executive Julie Bentley said: 'It's likely that within the next seven to 10 years our branch network will have (been) reduced by at least half. 'With less branches, we'll look to move to fewer but bigger regions.' Samaritans has more than 200 branches across the UK. Llandrindod Wells is the only one in Powys and one of 10 in Wales. The list of branches which could close has not been decided; though if the charity's board agrees to the plans at a meeting in September, the changes will begin in April in the UK and 2027 in Ireland. In response to the closures, Plaid Cymru health spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor, expressed particular concern on the impact the closures will have on the Welsh Government's suicide prevention strategy. He called for 'urgent explanations' from the Welsh Government. 'The work that the Samaritans do day in, day out is invaluable,' he said. 'The news of so many branches closing will be met with disappointment and fear in Wales and across the UK. 'We need urgent explanations from the Welsh Government about what this means for Wales' mental health and suicide prevention strategy. 'We must also recognise the invaluable service offered by the Samaritans through the medium of Welsh – a service that we must try to protect.' Founded in 1953, the Samaritans focus on preventing suicides by connecting trained volunteers with people who are struggling. The charity estimates it answers a call for help every 10 seconds. The news comes as the charity launched a groundbreaking project at the Royal Welsh Show to reduce suicide in farming communities. Samaritans Cymru is setting out to break the cycle of suicide risk in rural Wales by launching the 'Our Farming, Our Future' project. The project will work closely with Wales Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) in Ceredigion, Brecknock, Montgomery and Radnorshire to develop peer-led activities and resources that can be cascaded across farming communities to reduce the risk of suicide in rural areas. Powys Samaritans is the youngest Samaritans branch (premises based) in the UK and was set up in the wake of the foot and mouth outbreak in 1994. Over the last 31 years the branch has moved from a one-bedroomed flat to renting a larger premises; and it now owns an entire building on the spa town's High Street, comprising of upstairs rooms for listening volunteers and training, in addition to a charity shop on the ground floor which brings in the majority of funding.
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
LOOK: Dozens attend Summer Sessions in Beechwood Park
In partnership with Newport City Radio and Dirty Carrot Records the Summer Sessions music festival returned after a successful debut last summer. The Summer Sessions in Beechwood Park is the highlight of the Summer Holidays entertainment program from the Beechwood Park Community Group. The free to attend music festival featured an eclectic mix of Wales finest talent. The Summer Sessions music festival is a platform for the next generation of Welsh music superstars. The event took place on the Entertainment Area at the top of Beechwood Park. The music festival is funded by Shared Prosperity Funding. Take a look at our gallery of pictures from the event this weekend below. (Image: NQ) Loads of people turned up to enjoy the local talent (Image: NQ) (Image: NQ) Talented guitarist Izzo Wizzard and her band performed (Image: NQ) (Image: NQ) Bryony Sier and Rebecca Richards enjoyed the music (Image: NQ) Mitchell Beardsley (left) and Liam Glover (right) were joined by a friend at the festival (Image: NQ) Sadie, little Romi and Demi enjoyed a fun day at the park (Image: NQ) Georgia, Jasmine, Rupert, Wyatt and Meadow enjoyed slushies at the Summer Sessions (Image: NQ) Three-year-old Charlie and his mum Lauren were looking forward to hearing some great music (Image: NQ) Rhys (left), Lauren, Charlie and Rhys (right) (Image: NQ)
Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Eriksen to Rangers case presented amid Wrexham links
Currently without a club after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season, the Dane's future is very much up in the air. Eriksen has been linked with a move to join English Championship big-spenders Wrexham, although Jansen, who turned out for the Welsh club, thinks Rangers could also be an option. He said [OLBG]: "[[Rangers]] are a huge club and they've got Champions League football. So that's probably a bigger draw. "I think it would take an awful lot of money for Wrexham to sign Eriksen. I know they have a lot of money, but do they have that much? Read more: "If he wants English football he should go to Wrexham but it depends on personal circumstances and whether he's happy to move. If he is, I would say Rangers were a stronger option. "Even with Eriksen, I've got Wrexham down to struggle next season. There is a lot of quality in the Championship and it's a massive step up. "Every league is a step up, but League One to Championship in particular is a very big step. "It's always difficult when a player is reaching those golden age years and coming towards the end of his career. "Then you have the expectation levels, because he'll be nowhere near as good as he once was in his prime. Again if Wrexham are going to struggle next season, is that going to suit the type of player that Eriksen is?"
