Children’s charity Barnardo’s is launching two new services to support vulnerable families who are struggling to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. See, Hear, Respond will work with families across Wales, offering practical and therapeutic support including counselling seven days a week. The aim is to help those facing a wide range of challenges, from anxiety, loneliness and isolation to children struggling with a return to school and parents worried about relationship breakdowns or poverty. The second will…

Barnardo’s Cymru has seen a 45% surge in the number of children it has been asked to find foster families for in Wales during the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, the number of people approaching the charity to become foster parents in Wales has halved compared to the same period last year. From March 1st – April 23rd 2020, there were 140 referrals to Barnardo’s Cymru fostering service in Wales, up from 96 for the same period in 2019….

Two sisters who both face the daily challenges of autism have overcome lockdown boredom by creating hundreds of activity packs to keep children in their neighbourhood occupied.   Hannah and Emma Stacey of Nantyffyllon, Maesteg, are compiling packs of brain games, colouring exercises and instructions for making everything from edible play dough to toilet roll monsters, then delivering them to nearby homes.   It began as a way of Emma, 23, keeping her sister from getting too bored. Hannah, 13,…

Children’s charity Barnardo’s Cymru knows a thing or two about teenagers and with the news that the lockdown has been extended for at least another three weeks it is offering some useful online advice for parents.   Sarah Crawley, director for Barnardo’s Cymru, said: “If you’re struggling to keep your teenager in the house and sticking to lockdown rules know that you’re definitely not alone.”  Teenage brains work differently to adult brains. Developing independence and freedom is one of the…

A choir of remarkable children and young people who look after sick or disabled relatives will take centre stage next month when Barnardo’s Cymru hold a fundraising concert. The Merthyr Young Carers’ Choir, whose members are aged between nine and 15, often have heavy responsibilities at home helping to look after parents or siblings. But every week they have a night off to sing their hearts out with the choir which meets in Dowlais. On Monday, March 2 they will…

  Some of South Wales’ most vulnerable children who might otherwise have no presents at Christmas will now have gifts to unwrap, thanks to generous coffee drinkers. Customers of Starbucks branches run by the Magic Bean franchise are being invited to collect a star from an instore Christmas tree and donate a gift for the child named on the star. The children are all supported by Barnardo’s Cymru. All customers who donate a gift receive a free festive drink from…

  Sarah Rowe is busy training for her first London Marathon and she’s never short of motivation – because it surrounds her every day she goes to work. Sarah is manager of the Bridgend Disability Support Service which helps children and young people up to the age of 25 develop the skills and confidence to get involved with local sports and leisure activities and she has seen the life changing impact it has on many of them. The service is…