St Mary’s Church, Tenby, Mothers’ Union, recently welcomed Dean Flood, Development Officer from the Pembrokeshire Care Society to their meeting on May 17.

Dean delivered a lively talk and presentation on the work of the Pembrokeshire Care Society in supporting the local community over the last 43 years. He explained how PCS has grown from initially offering tenancy support to an organisation that now has its own services for advice, private lettings, counselling and supporting people.

Members were more than surprised to hear that over the past 12 months, PCS had supported over 1,000 people who were either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless across Pembrokeshire.

Dean talked of the strong partnership links PCS has established across the county with groups including PAVS, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Third Place in Milford Haven. The Third Place provides a hub for support with debt, homelessness and mental health issues and it also houses two emergency accommodation pods. This is a model which PCS plans to replicate all around Pembrokeshire, in order to support rural homelessness. Aside from this, the Third Place also runs an excellent coffee shop and has recently hosted wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Following an introduction into the work of PCS, Dean unveiled an exciting new initiative called ‘Pembrokeshire Homeshare’. Through Homeshare, PCS aims to bring together people with spare rooms with people who are happy to provide companionship and lend a hand around the house in return for affordable, sociable accommodation.

Homeshare has been in existence for 30 years in England and Pembrokeshire is one of only three areas in Wales to pilot the project. Under the guidance of the Homeshare UK Network, PCS is delighted to be the provider organisation within the county. PCS will oversee the matching process, security and safeguarding checks and provide continuous support to both parties in the match.

Mothers’ Union members were eager to respond to Dean’s illuminating presentation with many pertinent questions concerning the benefits of Homeshare and many other matters relating to homelessness in Pembrokeshire. He explained that it is an approach which tackles both loneliness and affordable accommodation through companionship. Within Pembrokeshire, social isolation and unaffordable rental costs are challenges to many and Homeshare provides a creative approach in addressing this.

At the end of the presentation Nicole Evans, Rector’s Warden at St. Mary’s presented Dean with a very generous donation in order to support the work of PCS and the Homeshare scheme.

The conversation continued over coffee and cake and provided an opportunity for further questions and suggestions as how to make Homeshare a success in Pembrokeshire.

Dean is keen to engage with the community and can be contacted at [email protected] or on 07483917951

The members of Mothers’ Union greatly enjoyed Dean’s visit and presentation and a vote of thanks was given to him by Nicole. There are two more meeting of MU before the summer break. The final meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 21 and will be a lunch at a local restaurant, yet to be finalised. The autumn session will begin on Tuesday, September 20 with Holy Eucharist in church.