A foundation set up in Pembrokeshire by a mother after losing her daughter to suicide, has welcomed a financial donation boost following the latest round of ‘Community Changemakers’ funding.

‘Megan’s Starr Foundation’ was one of three organisations in Pembrokeshire that has received funding after a total of £20,000 was shared out between 25 organisations in South West Wales in the 2023 round of the ‘Community Changemakers’ fund.

‘Megan’s Starr Foundation’ in Milford Haven was set up by Nicola Harteveld – after losing her daughter Megan to suicide.

“The Megan’s Starr Foundation was set up after my 14-year-old daughter Megan took her own life after being cyberbullied, and subsequently suffering with her mental health,” said Nicola.

“Like many young people, she obviously didn’t feel like she could reach out and seek help, by speaking to a teacher, a police officer or even us her parents.

“She didn’t want to be a burden to anyone, least of all us or her friends. She gut-wrenchingly suffered in silence. She was just a little girl.”

After receiving £700, from the ‘Community Changemakers’ fund, Nicola said: “Our coffee house is a safe space where people can come and access support - whether it's professional counselling, peer support, or just the opportunity to join classes like art or knitting.

“It’s a place to have conversations or sit in peace and quiet if you prefer.

“This funding is going to be instrumental in helping us to deliver those services and to fund new projects.

“It will help us continue to bring people together. It's an honour to receive this money and to know that South West Wales Connected believes in us enough to want to help us reach our target groups, promote our services and raise awareness of what we do so that more people can access our support,” she added.

Megan’s Starr Foundation aims to support young people and raise awareness of bullying and mental health, to create a kinder, more accepting, and more inclusive community.

More information can be found here: https://megansstarr.com

The other organisations in Pembrokeshire to receive funding were - Parc Helig Community Gardens (£500); and the Pembroke Town Wall Trust (£1,000).

Delivered by created and administered by South West Wales Connected Community Rail Partnership (SWWCo), the Community Changemakers Fund supports groups and organisations with great ideas for how to improve the wellbeing of their local communities.

Now in its third year, the fund is open to any group of local residents, community organisation, charity, community interest company or micro-SME that is based within 10km/6miles of a train station on the network, which covers the counties of Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Grants can also be awarded to organisations outside the given radius if they can show how the grant funding will support a community that is within the designated radius.

SWWCo supports and promotes the railway and the towns and villages it serves from Port Talbot Parkway through to Pembroke Dock.

As well as promoting increased rail travel and seeking to involve communities in the railway, the Community Rail Partnership is tasked with supporting communities along the line to improve local well-being, create and celebrate a distinctive sense of place, and identify opportunities for sustainable development.

Headquartered at Swansea Railway Station, SWWCo is hosted by 4theRegion, a membership alliance working to bring about positive change in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Zoe Antrobus, co-founder and managing director of 4theRegion said: “We’re delighted to have been able to support so many organisations doing incredible work to improve the communities in our region.

“This year’s fund attracted so many outstanding applicants and we can’t wait to see what they achieve with the funding.”

Eve Sherratt, community rail officer for SWWCo, said: “The Community Changemakers fund is one of the highlights of our year. It helps us support the individuals and organisations that are creating positive change in the communities along out rail network.

“Well done to all this year’s recipients for their commitment and hard work to improve their communities.”