THE NEED for a new family support group in St Davids was proved within hours of it opening.

Plant Dewi launched a new family group last week (Mon 15th) and within a few hours it was able to provide help to a mother in need.

"Our launch was carried on local radio and a mother who only moved to the area earlier in the year heard the item and came to see us," said Plant Dewi senior project worker Dilys Fletcher. "She was in tears and had big problems.

"People think St Davids is idyllic but I have always been aware of rural isolation up there, it is 15 miles each way to Haverfordwest and the new family group will help to give people information about where to go for certain things."

Plant Dewi, which is run by the St David's Diocescan Council for Social Responsibility, aims to support families in need of support, advice and a listening ear.

"Parents with or without children can pop in for a chat and a coffee and to meet other parents," explained the charity's Ray Mills. The group can help with information on all matters of family life such as parenting, financial and domestic issues.

Also present at the launch was Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies who said: "Plant Dewi is doing a wonderful job and the need for such a service has already been underlined.

"Parenting can sometimes be very lonely and difficult and feelings of isolation can be made worse by living in such a rural area. But you don't have to be experiencing problems or depressed to go to the family group, it's also a great way to meet new parents who live nearby."

*The St Davids Family Group runs between 9.30am and 12.30pm every Monday morning in the St Davids Cathedral Cloisters.