Pontypool carer talks about ‘wellbeing' this National Carers Week
National Carers Week last week was dedicated to recognising and celebrating the UK's six million plus unpaid carers.
78-year-old Dave Mynott is a carer from Abersychan. He runs the Wednesday Dementia Club or as it's better known by locals 'The Pontypool Dementia Club.'
The club is a support group for carers of loved ones with dementia. Dave has been running the group for over 15 years.
Leader of the Wednesday Dementia club Dave Mynott (tall man in the centre) on a group trip with unpaid carers (Image: Dave Mynott) Dave said: 'I was helping look after my mother-in-law that had dementia and one of the staff at the hospital I worked at asked me to help set up a group.
'What we are doing is getting everyone together and enjoying each other's company.
'It seems very simple, but it's so important and valuable for people that are carers. Now it's grown to over fifty of us.'
Dave talked about the emotional side of being an unpaid carer.
He said: 'When you're caring particularly for someone with dementia it can feel you've lost a loved one already, they're not the same person and you can get very isolated.'
Dave spoke highly of his fellow unpaid carers: 'I absolutely admire one guy who actually gave up his job to look after his mum. I think they are all awesome.'
Dave had the following advice to new unpaid carers: 'Don't isolate yourself take every opportunity to socialise and look after yourself.
'They're amazing people who care for their loved ones with dementia, but they do forget to put themselves first.'
In 2023 Dave was awarded the British Empire medal (BEM) in recognition of his services to people with dementia. Currently the group meet at Pontypool Museum every week.
The Gwent Carers Hub in Pontypool (Image: NQ) The Gwent Carers Hub is another valuable resource for unpaid carers.
Situated in the heart of Pontypool town it offers unpaid carers a safe space to talk about their caring role.
A representative from The Gwent Carers Hub said: 'Looking after your own wellbeing is essential to you and the person you care for. We understand how hard being an unpaid carer is, and we are here to support you.
'Do you look after a family member, friend or even a neighbour? Do you offer support to someone without your help could not manage to live independently? If so, you are a carer.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
8 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Pontypool carer talks about ‘wellbeing' this National Carers Week
National Carers Week last week was dedicated to recognising and celebrating the UK's six million plus unpaid carers. 78-year-old Dave Mynott is a carer from Abersychan. He runs the Wednesday Dementia Club or as it's better known by locals 'The Pontypool Dementia Club.' The club is a support group for carers of loved ones with dementia. Dave has been running the group for over 15 years. Leader of the Wednesday Dementia club Dave Mynott (tall man in the centre) on a group trip with unpaid carers (Image: Dave Mynott) Dave said: 'I was helping look after my mother-in-law that had dementia and one of the staff at the hospital I worked at asked me to help set up a group. 'What we are doing is getting everyone together and enjoying each other's company. 'It seems very simple, but it's so important and valuable for people that are carers. Now it's grown to over fifty of us.' Dave talked about the emotional side of being an unpaid carer. He said: 'When you're caring particularly for someone with dementia it can feel you've lost a loved one already, they're not the same person and you can get very isolated.' Dave spoke highly of his fellow unpaid carers: 'I absolutely admire one guy who actually gave up his job to look after his mum. I think they are all awesome.' Dave had the following advice to new unpaid carers: 'Don't isolate yourself take every opportunity to socialise and look after yourself. 'They're amazing people who care for their loved ones with dementia, but they do forget to put themselves first.' In 2023 Dave was awarded the British Empire medal (BEM) in recognition of his services to people with dementia. Currently the group meet at Pontypool Museum every week. The Gwent Carers Hub in Pontypool (Image: NQ) The Gwent Carers Hub is another valuable resource for unpaid carers. Situated in the heart of Pontypool town it offers unpaid carers a safe space to talk about their caring role. A representative from The Gwent Carers Hub said: 'Looking after your own wellbeing is essential to you and the person you care for. We understand how hard being an unpaid carer is, and we are here to support you. 'Do you look after a family member, friend or even a neighbour? Do you offer support to someone without your help could not manage to live independently? If so, you are a carer.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Six West Lothian residents honoured in King's Birthday Honours List
West Lothian Provost Cathy Muldoon has praised the recipients of the various honours. Six West Lothian residents have been honoured in King's Birthday Honours List. Professor Rowland Kao, from Torphichen, was awarded the CBE for services to Mathematics and Infectious Disease Dynamics. Mr Raymond is Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology and Data Science at the University of Edinburgh. Professor Kao has worked at the Roslin Institute since 2017. He also serves as Chair of the UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Science Advisory Council, and took up this role in 2025 having served as a member of the SAC from 2018 to 2024. He said: 'I am honoured to be chosen for this award, and am especially pleased to see this recognition for animal science research. 'This underscores the importance of research in infectious animal diseases, and recognises its contribution to public health, through the wider efforts of many researchers and collaborators. 'I am continually thankful for the hard work, skills, and creativity that colleagues and collaborators bring to everything I do, and am indebted to them for making it a pleasure.' Bathgate-based Victoria Dunnett has received an MBE for services to Vulnerable People in West Lothian Mrs Dunnett is the chair of the board of directors of the Boghall Drop-in Centre. Also receiving an MBE is Malcolm Kirby from Uphall. Mr Kirby is a volunteer at Red Dot Radio and received his gong for services to hospitals in Edinburgh. Police Scotland's Chief Human Resources Nicky Page, from Bathgate, receives an MBE for services to Policing, to Equality, and to Health. Nicky joined Strathclyde Police in 2010 and has provided strategic human resources leadership for over 22,000 people in Police Scotland. This included playing a key role during the transition period that brought together eight legacy forces to form Police Scotland. She delivered a single national HR function achieving public sector savings of around £200 million annually since 2013. Since 2017, Nicky has also volunteered as a Community First Responder with the Scottish Ambulance Service, contributing over 1000 hours of service while balancing the demands of her role and family life. Nicky said: 'I am both grateful and surprised to receive this honour. I'm deeply appreciative of the support I have received from my colleagues in policing, the Ambulance Service and fellow responders within the Bathgate Group. 'This honour reflects the shared commitment and teamwork that have made my contribution possible.' Community stalwart Margaret Graham, the chair of Broxburn Family Centre, has been honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM). Margaret, a well-known community activist in West Lothian for many years, received the award for her services to the community in Broxburn. Finally, school crossing patroller Shirley Jamieson, from West Calder, received a BEM for services to the Safety of Pedestrians in Juniper Green, Edinburgh. West Lothian Provost Cathy Muldoon said: 'Congratulations to all the recipients. It is wonderful to see individuals from such a diverse range of services being honoured and recognised. 'What a great honour and richly deserved.' The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, added: 'Communities across Scotland benefit from the extraordinary effort of those honoured. 'The Honours list showcases the remarkable achievements of individuals across Scotland who have gone above and beyond in their respective fields. 'Their service to our communities represents the spirit of dedication and excellence that makes Scotland proud.'
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Leader Live
Girl, 11, becoming youngest ever MBE ‘never thought this would happen'
Carmela Chillery-Watson, from Dorset, has LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy – a progressive muscle-wasting condition which affects her movement, heart and lungs – and is becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the King's Birthday Honours for services to charitable fundraising. She was diagnosed with the condition in 2017, aged three, and in recent years has helped charity Muscular Dystrophy UK raise more than £400,000 by doing around 25 fundraising and awareness campaigns. 'I'm just really ecstatic and surprised that I'm receiving the honour,' Carmela told the PA news agency. 'It's incredible.' The 11-year-old campaigner has undertaken a variety of challenges, including her Wonder Woman Walk where she walked one kilometre a day and then went another nine kilometres a day in her wheelchair for a month in 2020. Dressed as her favourite superhero Wonder Woman, Carmela travelled across 30 different places in Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire and Surrey to complete the 300-kilometre trek. She has also carried out a 100-mile walking challenge across the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. 'I have to say, I love all of them,' Carmela said of her various fundraising campaigns. 'They are all so fun.' She also teaches exercises online for an optional small donation to help others with muscular dystrophy and similar physical disabilities who are unable to leave their homes or who don't have access to physiotherapy in their area. Carmela said people from as far away as Africa and the US have attended her virtual sessions. She is already an award winner, having been presented with a British Citizen Youth Award Medal of Honour in 2023 for making a positive impact on her community and society more widely. The Government believes Carmela is the youngest-ever MBE, although it does not hold all the historical data to be able to confirm it. Tony Hudgell became the youngest person on record to be honoured when he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) at the age of nine in the 2024 New Year Honours. Carmela will break paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds' record of being the youngest person to become an MBE from 2009 when she was 14 years old. The 11-year-old said she never looked for an award for her campaigning. 'I never thought anything like this would happen,' she said. 'I just want to make a difference to the disability community, to be able to show them: You're strong, you can do whatever you want.' Carmela's mother Lucy Chillery-Watson said she was 'bursting with pride' over her daughter becoming an MBE. 'Since the moment she was born she showed true resilience and determination – growing up with health conditions, one after the other,' Ms Chillery-Watson said. 'She's making a huge difference in the world.' She said her daughter does not let her physical disability stop her. 'She's already thought about her next challenge, she wants to go around UK primary schools to spread inclusivity in amongst the schools for physical disabilities, because Carmela has got her own experiences and in society there's still so much that needs to be done.' Carmela is very excited at the prospect of meeting a royal at an investiture ceremony. 'Potentially meeting King Charles or Queen Camilla – that is amazing,' she said. 'I mean, that is insane. 'Receiving an MBE is incredible but potentially meeting the King or Queen is even better.' Carmela's next challenge is her so-called 'Poo Plod' on June 23, when she will walk and wheel five miles dressed as a toilet, with her mum dressed as a poo, to raise money to buy specialist toilets for her school in Poole.
