Jenny honoured for her voluntary work

A retired Dyfed-Powys Police officer has been honoured for her voluntary work at the National Eisteddfod.

Former PC Jennifer (Jenny) Jenkins, from Aberystwyth, is among the names of those that were honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at this year’s event at Llantwd, Pembrokeshire.

Individuals from across Wales were honoured for their achievements and commitment to Wales, the Welsh language and local communities across the nation. Honorary Druids – blue robes – are given to those for their services to Wales, in the areas of law, science, sports, journalism, media, local and national activities.

Jenny has been awarded this recognition for her exceptional voluntary contribution to charitable work, both locally and internationally.

From transporting essential aid to Ukraine since 2022, making dozens of trips collecting and distributing food and medical equipment, to volunteering with the Penparcau Community Hub during COVID, Jenny’s courage and dedication is a true credit to Wales.

Following her retirement from Dyfed-Powys Police in 2015 after 25 years working on response, Jenny knew that helping others was at the heart of everything she does. She said:

“My time with Dyfed-Powys Police gave me the determination to make a difference. Policing showed me that I could do things that I never thought possible.

“As a police officer, your first duty is to be a supportive clutch for people, and my time on the beat really gave me the drive to want to support others on a wider scale.”

As a first language Welsh speaker, Jenny uses her Welsh as much as she can, even in schools and communities during her travels over the years.

Explaining the importance of her Welsh upbringing, Jenny said: “I’m very proud to be Welsh, of my language and heritage and it was an honour to be recognised alongside so many others.

“I learned Welsh through my grandparents and was raised with the importance of keeping the language and history alive. Not only that, I think Wales is recognised in Ukraine, because there's a long history of Welshness, and camaraderie between Wales and Ukraine, and that bond is still going strong.

“During the 1980s Welsh miners’ strike, the Ukrainian miners heard about the Welsh valley's poverty - people going without food, without clothes, children not having Christmas presents - and they were constantly sending care packages to them. To be a part of returning that kindness to the people of Ukraine brings me nothing but joy and pride.

“I speak Welsh as much as possible. Once, in the botanical gardens in Kiev, I did a speech in Welsh, and everybody was listening to me, and they were just amazed at this beautiful language. Out of all the languages in the world, when people hear Welsh, everybody looks at you, because they think, ‘Oh, my goodness, what is that language?’ They just love it.”

Along with the support Jenny has received during her work in Ukraine, the former PC praised her local community for their efforts: “What also makes me proud, is how my local community of Aberystwyth band together to support my efforts and donate what they can,” she said.

If you want to support Jenny's Appeal (Penparcau4UA) please message her personal Facebook account.