The Pembrokeshire Wellbeing Podcast: Recent Episodes
PLANED
Talking to people and groups across the County about their health and wellbeing. A podcast hosted by Pembrokeshire Leisure in partnership with PLANED
I spoke to Kelsey and Sam at Haverfordwest Leisure about the various interesting jobs that they've had since they joined the service. Although Sam is based in Fishguard and Kelsey is in Haverfordwest they are both enthusiastic about the Leisure Service across Pembrokeshire.
Sam and Kelsey are fluent Welsh-speakers so some of the chat in this episode is in Welsh.
I joined Joanne, Virginia, Moira and Jennifer once more to record a podcast ... but this time it was in person, in a rather noisy part of the foyer of Haverfordwest Leisure Centre. We recorded this episode right after Joanne's class.
I joined in with the Gentle Circuits group and recorded a little of the class while we were all taking part and, I must say, it was fun.
I talk to Sarah Owens a Physical Activity Officer for Pembrokeshire Leisure while she is setting up and coordinating an event for people with Additional Learning Needs at Scolton Manor. I get to chat with some of the people who attend her events and to some of the groups who provide sessions and training for the community.
Sarah mentions the FaceBook page:
facebook.com/groups/exercisebuddiespembrokeshire
... where you can find out more about the sessions available in Pembrokeshire.
I met up with Liz Collyer at the climbing wall in Haverfordwest Leisure Centre. In the last podcast I talked about climbing over a zoom call from my comfortable chair at home ... this time Liz had me harnassed up and climbing the wall while we conducted the interview ... I do get a little breathless at times, but that was down to nerves at the start and exhilaration at the end.
Steve Quinton is the Pembroke access rep for the British Mountaineering Council, and is the link between climbers and conservation bodies and landowners. He works to ensure that we can continue to access the amazing crags in Pembrokeshire while ensuring any seasonal, and other restrictions are sensible.
Ellis started climbing in 2013 along with his Dad, a trained professional, when he went out exploring the cliffs of Pembrokeshire. His achievements culminated in him winning the Welsh Regional events last year in his age category. Ellis says that the satisfaction of climbing to him comes from all the small, individual achievements that make you want to keep doing it again and again.
Nell started with the climbing team when she was aged 9yrs old. She has a very strong category to compete within, however, her dedicated training paid off and this year Nell achieved 3rd place in the Welsh Regional events. Nell likes to climb because it takes her mind off things and is a great way to keep fit.
Elaine plays hockey for Wales’ Masters 55 age group team but has missed out on going to Cape Town in South Africa for the Masters World Cup due to the pandemic. She is a super-active grandmother, who works on the family farm and has her own successful career.
Clair works as a Sports lecturer in Pembrokeshire College and has her own coaching channel on YouTube. She has previously qualified for the Ironman World championships in KONA and has been in and around Triathlon for many years. Clair has competed for Wales and UK in a number of sports including athletics, surf lifesaving, duathlon and triathlon
Roger works for PCC and has had a very successful career in Triathlon, being multiple winner of the Welsh championships and in 2002 he represented Great Britain at the World Championships at Cancun Mexico.
David is the chef and director of Finesse Catering and is a very keen triathlete in his limited spare time. His time is limited because he is also a father of three and has recently embarked on an enterprise to launch a new exercise nutrition company.
He’s passionate about helping normal people tweak their habits and behaviours to make positive changes in their diet. “it isn’t about grand gestures or fad diets, it’s about easy incremental changes which will still be with you in a year, in 10 years even”. He doesn’t come from a position in preaching, he has an understanding approach which will bring people along with him on the journey.
Charlotte has a very challenging role as the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) co-ordinator for Pembrokeshire Leisure, she is also a fitness class instructor, an army wife and mother to a 3-year-old. We talk about staying fit and healthy during lockdown and how physical health can impact mental and emotional wellbeing.
When Francesca isn't taking part in sailing competitions she can also be found at the Leisure Centre in Fishguard ... all alongside studying for a degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Swansea University.
Francesca talks openly about her challenges with maintaining good mental health along with keeping physically healthy.
Paul, John, Tommy and Aidan talk about motivating each other to keep fit and active during lockdown. They started well before the pandemic reached Pembrokeshire and have continued to support each other.
Joanne runs the Gentle Circuits class at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre. During lockdown the sessions have moved online, Jo talks about this along with three of the members: Virginia, Moira and Jennifer.