THE new chief executive of Cardigan’s Area 43 charity is relishing the prospect of working with young people and making a difference to their lives.

Rachael Eagles’ has worked across south and west Wales for the past few years and her background is in the domestic abuse sector, having been instrumental in setting up West Wales Domestic Abuse Services back in 2012.

She is now looking forward to working in Cardigan, which is where her mother’s family is from.

“It is really exciting to be working in the youth engagement sector and there is a real opportunity here to make a sustained difference to young people’s lives,” said the mum-of-two from Aberporth.

“It’s all about how we can improve and deliver services that young people want and need. To do that, we need to hear from them, it’s not up to us to decide that - we have to be client led and let them guide us to support their social groups and I feel there is a huge opportunity to do that here in Cardigan.

“This is my local community, I have two boys here and it will be nice to contribute to that community and have an impact.”

Rachael is under no illusions as to the challenges Area 43 is facing, especially under the current coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

“The service has had to switch to mostly on-line which has made a massive difference and people cannot just drop in to the centre like they used to,” said Rachael.

“But with the schools gradually reopening, hopefully things will start to change and we will be able to see young people again face-to-face in the not too distant future.”