Latest news with #Roberts
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Support After Suicide program in limbo due to lack of funding
WELLINGTON COUNTY — A program supporting families and individuals impacted by suicide is on hold until further notice after losing its funding. Manned by a mental health clinician, peer navigator with lived experience and an OPP officer, Here4Hope's Support After Suicide program was introduced in 2020 to help those impacted by suicide in Wellington County and funded by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General up to 2025. Delegating to county council Thursday morning, Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington (CMHAWW) CEO Helen Fishburn said the program has been paused since March, as the program was no longer eligible for annual grant funding of $240,000. This follows the CMHAWW stopping its financial obligations for the Here4Hope Partnership Agreement in November 2024 after 'significant financial pressures' led to the restructuring of programs and services funded by CMHAWW. An initiative focused on suicide prevention and awareness, Here4Hope was created in June 2019 as a three-year partnership with CMHAWW before it was extended in November 2021 with an 'expected end' in June 2025. The program has helped 300 people over the last six years. 'Of course, you can appreciate that those impacted individuals and families are at risk themselves in the aftermath of suicide, so losing (the Support After Suicide) program has been devastating to our community,' said Fishburn. 'We definitely can't underscore that loss of support to members of our community.' According to the county's manager of strategic wellness, Cecilia Marie Roberts, they felt it was important to create a program to support those impacted by a suicide after the community saw a spike in suicides in a short period of time. 'The impact was huge, and the very specialized support that we needed to address that pain was not there ... in my opinion, it's really probably the most important part of the work that we've done,' said Roberts. While the program remains in limbo, Fishburn said they're committed to finding alternative funding sources because they believe the program is needed and wanted by the community. An allocation of $26,000 is currently included in the county's 2025 and 2026 budgets for the program, although staff said this could change. 'When we talk about the wellness and safety of our community, we want to always show up for that conversation and be here when help is needed,' said Fishburn. 'Are we challenged by the lack of resources? We certainly are, but we're going to do our best.' Going forward, Fishburn said they will continue to offer the core components of the Here4Hope program, which include training, education, and the annual Here4Hope event, which may expand to include Guelph this year. The program is currently focused on raising awareness about two high-risk groups: men and youth. In 2027, Roberts also plans to develop a resource for managers responding to the aftermath of suicide. 'We want to continue to invest our time and energy into the Here4Hope program,' said Fishburn. Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The likely Wales team Matt Sherratt will pick to face Japan next week
The likely Wales team Matt Sherratt will pick to face Japan next week Wales will look to break their record losing run against Japan next Saturday Dewi Lake will be a key figure for Wales this summer (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales landed in Japan this week determined to end their 17-game losing streak. Matt Sherratt's side take on Japan in the first Test in Kitakyushu next Saturday. There is just one place separating Wales in 12th and Japan in 13th in the World Rugby rankings. Wales are favourites to overcome Japan but it won't be easy, especially with former Australia and England coach Eddie Jones in charge of the Brave Blossoms. Here is the matchday 23 Sherratt is likely to select for the first Test. 15. Blair Murray Despite a desperately poor season results-wise, Murray has been one of the only players who has risen above the mediocrity to impress. The 23-year-old isn't the biggest of men but he is a deadly broken-field runner with electric footwork and is an excellent finisher who makes good decisions under pressure. Article continues below Murray also enjoyed a fine debut campaign for the Scarlets and was named in the United Rugby Championship team of the season, albeit on the wing. Should thrive in Japan where Wales are planning to play an expansive game. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 14. Tom Rogers The 26-year-old has been one of Wales' better players this season and was excellent for the Scarlets as they reached the URC play-offs. Rogers is very good under the highball and like Murray is a dangerous broken-field runner with pace to burn. The Scarlets man is also an excellent finisher and should thrive in Japan and Wales will undoubtedly want to get his hands on the ball as much as possible. 13. Joe Roberts Roberts has had a difficult time with injuries over the past couple of seasons and it has taken a bit of time for the 25-year-old to get back to his best. But he hit top form for the Scarlets during the latter stages of the campaign as they reached the URC play-offs before putting up a good fight in a defeat to Leinster in the quarter-finals. Roberts is an explosive runner who tends to ghost his way past defenders and is very physical in the contact area. There's still a few rough edges with his decision making with ball in hand needing to improve but if he can stay fit he can be an asset to Wales moving forward. 12. Ben Thomas There's a strong argument for Johnny Williams to start at 12 given his excellent form for the Scarlets towards the tail end of the season and his partnership with Roberts. But Sherratt is a big fan of Ben Thomas who perhaps suits the attacking brand of rugby the Cardiff coach wants to employ. Thomas is a lovely footballer with a crisp passing game and tons of peripheral vision, while his kicking isn't bad either. The Cardiff playmaker will be central to Wales' attack firing. 11. Josh Adams The 30-year-old has been plagued by injuries over the past couple of seasons and has struggled to reach the heights which won him a place in the British & Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa in 2021. But Adams remains one of best wings in Welsh rugby and his experience will be invaluable if Wales are to turn around a record run of 17-straight Test match defeats. Adams may have lost a bit of pace but he is still a potent finisher who is strong defensively and under the high ball. 10. Sam Costelow This is a close-run thing between Costelow and Ospreys playmaker Dan Edwards but the Scarlets man might just edge it. It is even possible they will start a Test each in Japan. Costelow was a key figure in the Scarlets' late-season resurgence, with his ability to take the ball to the line, his running threat and his kicking game standing out. With 20 international caps to his name Costelow really needs to kick on and make the number 10 shirt his own. 9. Kieran Hardy The 29-year-old has been in outstanding form for the Ospreys and thoroughly deserves an international recall after getting left out of the Six Nations squad. Hardy has always been strong at the fundamentals with his box kicking and slick service standing out but he is also a threat with ball in hand. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free The Ospreys number nine will be a key figure in Japan this summer with his partnership with either Costelow or Edwards crucial to the outcome. 8. Taulupe Faletau The 34-year-old must surely be high up on the Lions' standby list so will want to be at his very best for Wales in Japan this summer. He might be at the tail-end of his career but Faletau remains a quality operator and Wales are a far poorer team without the Cardiff No 8. As always Faletau will be required to get Wales over the gainline and lead from the front in Japan. 7. Tommy Reffell With Jac Morgan away with the Lions, Reffell will surely wear the number seven shirt in the first Test. The 26-year-old has been in excellent form for Leicester and played a crucial role in the east Midlands club reaching the Gallagher Premiership final where they were beaten by Bath at Twickenham. Japan will want to play fast and furious, meaning Reffell will be one of Wales' most important players given it is mainly down to him to slow down the speed of ruck ball. 6. Aaron Wainwright The 27-year-old has been one of Wales' better players during this wretched run of results and will be a key figure in Japan. Wainwright has a nice blend of athleticism and physicality and the Dragons man will be tasked with getting Wales over the gain line. Wales will also likely use Wainwright in the wide channels with his explosiveness and offloading games a potential asset to Sherratt's side. 5. Teddy Williams The 24-year-old has been in fine form for Cardiff this season and is the type of player who would thrive in the frantic pace and the searing heat of Japan. Williams is an athletic second-row who is a top-class lineout operator, while he is also very effective in driving lineouts. The Cardiff lock has had to bide his time in the international arena but with Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard missing, this could well be his chance. 4. James Ratti The 27-year-old is the unsung hero of the Ospreys pack and is the type of player who gets through a mountain of unseen dirty work which allows others to shine. Ratti is a powerful carrier who adds a lot of weight in the scrum and should complement the more athletic Williams well. The Ospreys man won his only Wales cap against South Africa at Twickenham last summer and will view this tour as a chance to progress his international career. 3. Archie Griffin The 23-year-old was a revelation on Wales' tour of Australia last summer, putting in a remarkable 26 tackles in 74 minutes in a narrow defeat to the Wallabies. Griffin is a very dynamic carrier capable of making post-contact metres, makes a lot of tackles and is a strong jackler at the breakdown. His scrummaging can be a bit inconsistent but he is capable at the set-piece and gave world-class Wallabies loosehead Angus Bell an outing at the Principality Stadium last November. 2. Dewi Lake (captain) The Ospreys man will undoubtedly be bitterly disappointed to have missed out on a place on the Lions tour having been touted as a potential tourist for much of the past year. A series of injuries which curtailed his minutes on the field, particularly during the Six Nations, probably damaged his chances. But he will be a vitally important figure for Wales in Japan with his leadership, powerful carrying game, set-piece prowess and his work at the breakdown standing out. 1. Nicky Smith The 31-year-old has been a revelation in his first season at Leicester Tigers and gave world-class Springboks tighthead Thomas du Toit a hiding at times in the Gallagher Premiership final. Smith is a very destructive scrummager and it has been a long time since anyone got the better of the former Ospreys star at the set-piece. The man from Swansea isn't the biggest prop but he carries well with his footwork at the point of contact - a nice trait - while he also gets through a lot of work in defence and at the breakdown. Replacements 16. Elliot Dee The experienced Dragons man is the most accurate hooker in Wales when it comes to throwing into the lineout. Dee will have an important part to play in Japan but will probably be backing up Lake. 17. Gareth Thomas The Ospreys prop is an underrated player who is a solid scrummager and hits really hard in defence. 18. Keiron Assiratti The 27-year-old is a solid scrummager and a talented ball player. It's imperative Wales gain the upper hand at scrum time and Assiratti is likely to share game-time with Griffin. 19. Freddie Thomas The conditions and the style of play will likely suit the Gloucester lock in Japan. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Thomas is an athletic forward who is comfortable playing a high octane and expansive brand of rugby. 20. Taine Plumtree The 25-year-old was left out of the Six Nations squad due to his ill-discipline but proceeded to fix that issue and was outstanding for the Scarlets during the latter half of the season. Plumtree's versatility will be useful for Wales. 21. Reuben Morgan-Williams The 27-year-old has had to bide his time for a first cap but it is likely to come this summer which would be just rewards for his consistency for the Ospreys over the past few seasons. 22. Dan Edwards As was stated above it is a close call between Costelow and Edwards for the starting berth. Whatever direction Sherratt decides to go in Edwards will have a big role to play in Japan, whether that is through starting or seeing the game out as a replacement. 23. Macs Page The 20-year-old is one of the finest prospects in Welsh rugby and has tons of x-factor. Article continues below Page is an explosive carrier with wicked footwork and a dangerous turn of pace. The uncapped Scarlets man, who can play centre or wing, looks destined for a long international career.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Battle of Arnhem veteran becomes MBE days before 100th birthday
Geoffrey Roberts, from Peterborough, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem and to charity by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Mr Roberts, who turns 100 on Saturday told the PA news agency: 'I'm surprised actually, I don't know what I got it for, I didn't do anything. 'When I saw the letter I thought someone was kidding me, I didn't have a clue, it was the last thing on my mind. I was very shocked and very overwhelmed.' Asked how important it is that veterans continue to be recognised, he said: 'It's very important, there's not many of us left, so it's very important especially for the ones who didn't come home. 'The heroes are lying in a cemetery, I was lucky, I turned left when I should have turned right so I'm still here.' Mr Roberts, who was born in the Chelsea Barracks in London in 1925, signed up in 1942. On September 17 1944, he flew into the Netherlands as part of Operation Market Garden – depicted in the 1977 Hollywood film A Bridge Too Far – which saw 35,000 British, American and Polish troops parachute or glide behind German lines. Mr Roberts was captured on September 26, with a German officer giving him some cigarettes and telling him, 'for you, the war is over'. He was sent to a prisoner of war camp and put to work in a coal mine until the end of the war.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dearica Hamby gets brutally honest on reason for Sparks' struggles
The post Dearica Hamby gets brutally honest on reason for Sparks' struggles appeared first on ClutchPoints. Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) during the first half at Wintrust Los Angeles Sparks' current losing streak hit four games, and they started off their current road trip at 0-2. One particularly concerning trend in those two road losses in particular was how the Sparks lost. Through the first three quarters of those two games, the Sparks have played well only to fall apart in the fourth quarter. For Sparks veteran forward Dearica Hamby, she believes she knows the reason as to why the team continues to have struggles late in games. Advertisement When the game gets tight in the fourth quarter and the opposing team starts making a run, Dearica Hamby feels like the Sparks' struggles are exacerbated by resorting to one-on-one play a little too often. 'Panicking. I don't think anybody has ill intention, but just trying to play hero ball. Obviously people have had success at it at certain points,' Hamby said following the team's recent loss to the Chicago Sky. 'We got to be more mentally tough to continue to play through that and continue to, like Coach [Roberts] said, do the things that were working in the first half and not resort to hero ball.' 'And quite honestly, we got to shoot better,' Hamby continued. 'We can't have our starting five at times, and it's not just this game, but continue to shoot not efficient shots.' During the Sparks' latest loss, 97-86 against the Sky, they held a 69-67 lead at the end of the third quarter before being outscored 30-17 in the final period. The previous loss, 82-66 against the Minnesota Lynx, they only trailed 57-54 heading into the fourth quarter before being outscored 25-12. Advertisement As the Sparks have struggled to maintain consistency throughout the season thus far, head coach Lynne Roberts believes some of the team's offensive woes late in games stems from their inability to get defensive stops in crunch time. 'We gave up 30 points, so it puts so much pressure on our offensive to make shots. We got to be able to get stops in the fourth quarter, same thing against Minnesota,' Roberts said. 'I think offensively, we got away from what was working, just too much one-on-one. We had a big lead, and it wasn't from going one-on-one. We've got to fix that and have some trust in the system and in each other and make sure we're getting great shots down the stretch.' The Sparks have one more game remaining on this current road trip, Thursday evening against the Indiana Fever. They will then return home on Sunday, June 29 for rematch against the Sky. Related: Sky's Angel Reese's heated exchange with Rickea Jackson nearly triggers fight
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Dodgers left-hander Kershaw strikes out 5, moves closer to 3,000 career strikeouts
Associated Press DENVER (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw inched closer to 3,000 career strikeouts on Thursday, fanning five in six innings in a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Kershaw (4-0) has 2,997 strikeouts in his 18-year career, three short of becoming the 20th major leaguer to reach the milestone. The 37-year-old would be the third active pitcher to reach the mark behind Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Verlander, in his 20th season, has 3,468 strikeouts. Scherzer has 3,412 in 18 seasons. 'I knew I had eight to go,' Kershaw said. 'Eight in Colorado is never going to be easy to do. I felt good. But pitched well, got through six. A chance to strike out three at home would be really cool.' Kershaw's next start is expected to come at Dodger Stadium next Wednesday (July 2) against the Chicago White Sox. 'He's certainly competing, making pitches,' manager Dave Roberts said. 'I think he has gotten better each time out, even with not the best of stuff. He just found a way to be efficient.' Kershaw struck out three in the first two innings Thursday and got his fourth for the final out of the fifth. He struck out Tyler Freeman for the second out of the sixth inning and left the game after retiring the next batter. He threw 69 pitches, 41 for strikes. 'You always want to be efficient, no matter what,' Kershaw said. 'My days of throwing 115 pitches is probably over. Getting through six is probably the biggest thing at Coors Field. 'Doc (Roberts) is doing a good job of protecting me, which I appreciate. I just want to be able to go back out there every fifth, sixth day. Whatever that means is good for now.' Kershaw recorded two strikeouts on his 73 mph curve and got three more on sliders against a Rockies' lineup that included all right-handed batters. 'He did what he needed to do,' Roberts said. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and 10-time All-Star received plenty of crowd support in Colorado, getting a standing ovation from some in the Coors Field crowd when he left the mound after the sixth inning. Kershaw had made eight starts this season after being activated from the injured list May 17 following offseason left knee and foot surgeries. 'He has given us a shot in the arm,' Roberts said. 'We're sort of ailing on the starting pitching side. Coming in and giving us valuable innings. I just love that kind of edge that he gives on start day. We certainly feed off that.' Kershaw won his fourth straight game, and his ERA dropped to a season-low 3.03. ___ AP MLB: recommended
