May 31, 2026 - 215 views
A pioneering sun safety initiative aimed at tackling rising skin cancer rates is being launched in Trearddur Bay this week, making Anglesey the first coastal community in the UK to pilot the innovative Sunguarding programme.
The project, led by the Melanoma Fund in partnership with Isle of Anglesey County Council and Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand, coincides with Sun Awareness Week and seeks to encourage people to take greater action to protect themselves from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
At the heart of the initiative is the installation of a new UV safety station in Trearddur Bay, alongside educational signage and public messaging designed to make UV risk more visible and encourage people to adopt safer behaviours when spending time outdoors.
Skin cancer is now the most common cancer in Wales, with non-melanoma skin cancer accounting for a significant proportion of all cancer diagnoses. Health experts warn that rates are continuing to rise, making prevention and early education increasingly important.
Michelle Baker, Chief Executive of the Melanoma Fund, said the project aims to address a gap between awareness and action.
“Skin cancer is now the most common cancer in Wales, yet most people still don’t act on UV risk in real time. We don’t have an awareness problem – we have a behaviour problem,” she said.
The initiative stems from research carried out by nine third-year nursing students from Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand during a community clinical placement. Working remotely under the guidance of Professor Jean Ross, who has longstanding links to the region, the students examined public understanding of UV exposure in Trearddur Bay.
Their findings revealed significant gaps in awareness and highlighted the need for visible, community-led interventions that encourage people to respond to UV risks as they occur.
Professor Ross said: “What we identified in Trearddur Bay reflects a wider gap in how communities understand and respond to UV exposure. What makes this project different is that the response is visible, practical, and led at community level. That’s where real change happens.”
The idea first caught the attention of Councillor Keith Roberts after he saw details of the students’ work on social media. Recognising its potential, he helped bring the pilot project to Anglesey and acted as the local point of contact.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of our communities,” said Cllr Roberts.
“By working in partnership, we have an opportunity to lead the way in prevention and create a model that can be adopted more widely across Wales and beyond.”
The pilot is the first coordinated effort of its kind in the UK to embed sun safety across an entire coastal community. As well as the UV safety station, the programme includes Sunguarding signage featuring designs created by the New Zealand nursing students, workforce training for beach wardens and outdoor workers, and educational resources for local schools.
The initiative will also be promoted through community events, including a forthcoming Swim Safe event, while support from the Wales Sports Association will help extend the programme into local sports clubs, enabling coaches and outdoor leaders to receive training on UV risk and prevention.
Anglesey’s Public Protection portfolio holder, Councillor Nicola Roberts, said the project demonstrates how education and prevention can work together.
“This pilot brings together public health, safety and education in a very practical way,” she said.
“By promoting sun safety and giving children and families the knowledge and tools to protect themselves, we are directly supporting their wellbeing while reducing preventable health risks.
“This initiative is a strong example of how early prevention and education can work hand in hand to deliver lasting benefits for our communities.”
Under the programme, trained beach wardens and other personnel will help reinforce public understanding of UV exposure, including advice that sun protection becomes essential whenever the UV Index reaches three or above.
Organisers hope the Anglesey pilot will provide evidence for a wider rollout across Wales and the UK, creating a model that local authorities can adopt in beaches, schools, sports facilities and other community settings.
With skin cancer rates continuing to rise, supporters believe the initiative could play a significant role in helping people better understand UV risk and reduce preventable skin damage in the years ahead.
