A Pembrokeshire group are busy recycling carrier bags to make mats for the homeless.

The mats are being made by volunteers in Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest.

They are the idea of Amanda Evans, who explained: “I moved up from Kent in November 2016 and started the group here in November 2017.

“Whilst living in Kent, I passed a homeless man taking shelter in a doorway one evening and later the following day I heard on the news he had frozen to death. It is something I have never forgotten.

“I felt lonely moving here and knew no one, so needed to find something to occupy myself. It came to me after seeing someone sitting outside a shop in Haverfordwest who I thought was homeless so that is how the group begun.”

Amanda continued: “We started with knitted hats for the homeless to give out for Christmas and since then it has just snowballed. In January, I started a knit and natter group and we meet up monthly, and in February, I contacted the Haverfordwest Ladies Circle, who funded £100 worth of sanitary protection which we donated to Pembroke Hostel and Hafan Cymru.

“We also collect donations of toiletries, sleeping bags, tents, new underwear, socks, hats, gloves, dry non-perishable foods and are busy now making knitted blankets and the plastic matting for the homeless.

“We donate to concerns here in Pembrokeshire which work with the homeless and the surrounding counties. Recently, we donated 15 boxes between Alabare in Carmarthen, who work with homeless veterans or those at risk of becoming homeless, the Salvation Army in Carmarthen, Unity in Swansea, who have had four of our mats (the night shelters are about to close there at the end of the month, so people will be back on the street), and Matthews House, who feed those who are homeless or in need, which is also in Swansea.”

Amanda met Sally Bearne a couple of months ago through her mum, Gwyneth Lloyd, who runs The Wool Shop in the St. Govans Centre, Pembroke Dock.

Continued Amanda: “I had been interested in learning how to make the mats. I like the idea that they are made from recycled carrier bags, and luckily for me, Sally knew how. I arranged a couple of demonstrations, one held at Guymers Café in Haverfordwest and the other held at the Checkers Café in the St. Govans Centre. They have become very popular and we have one demonstration on each week, taking it in turns between Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock.

“People are fascinated by the mats and they have attracted a lot of attention. Each mat takes approximately 500 bags to make; one lady, Heidi Williams, has made eight mats now. Some people prefer just to make the plarn (plastic yarn) and some prefer to do the creating part. The mats provide some comfort and also some insulation so that any rough sleeper is not laying directly on the ground which absorbs body heat.

“We are always looking at ways that we can make and adapt things which would benefit the homeless. Our next demonstration is on April 5 in Pembroke Dock at 2 pm. The demonstrations are free, but we do recommend you bring some carrier bags with you. If others would prefer to donate carrier bags they no longer need, they are welcome to drop them off at The Wool Shop, St. Govans Centre, The Barber Shop, 25 Commercial Row, Guymers Café, Haverfordwest. Details can also be found on our Facebook group, Homeless Pembrokeshire.”