Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

A celebration has been held to mark the opening of 13 new apartments for older people in the heart of Llanelli. New tenants were joined by neighbours, friends and guests for an afternoon tea at Waddle’s Court Sheltered Scheme on Friday - an opportunity to celebrate Carmarthenshire County Council’s £1.4million investment to transform a former care home into one-bedroom homes for older people, which was part funded by the Welsh Government. The apartments, linked to the existing Waddle’s Court Sheltered Scheme, are self-contained, giving tenants their own freedom and security; whilst communal areas – including a lounge, library, TV and computer room – give them the opportunity to socialise with friends and neighbours if they wish. Tenants prepared for the celebrations by baking cakes and making decorations, supported by Spice Time Credits volunteers, and took part in a short film produced by volunteer Robert Masterman . The official opening was performed by council chair, Cllr Peter Hug...

Tenants living in Sheltered Housing Schemes in the north of county can now rely on a helping hand to tackle their odd jobs. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services division has extended its popular HandyVan scheme, which was launched as a pilot in the Llanelli area in 2010. It means tenants living in council-run sheltered housing can call for help for small repair jobs around their home, such as hanging pictures and curtain rails, easing windows and doors that are sticking, and assembling flat-pack furniture. The scheme was introduced by the council to offer an extra value service to tenants, whilst also working on the principle that regular preventative maintenance would lessen the call for more expensive repair requests further down the line. It also provides tenants with the peace of mind that they are welcoming an approved workman in to their home. Area Manager Chris Derrick said: “The scheme has proven very successful during its pilot period in the Llanelli area. T...

Two pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Dyffryn Tâf are helping to prove the old saying ‘you’re never too old to learn’ having joined forces with clients at a Sheltered Housing complex in Whitland to help them improve their computer skills. The project is being supported by the Cryfhau Cymunedau (Strengthening Communities) project, part of RDP Sir Gâr’s  Innovative Hubs scheme*, which works with rural communities in Carmarthenshire supporting them to make a real difference within their locality. The aim of the project is to identify and support community mentors to lead groups and individuals to achieve positive change where they live. Cryfhau Cymunedau’s project officer David Saywell, Vivienne Morris (former Mayoress of Whitland) and Val Wood Gaiger from Learn with Grandma established a group to develop a number of activities in Whitland, one of which was the IT sessions. Mark Ford, Deputy Headmaster of Ysgol Gyfun Dyffryn Tâf, arranged for Ben Howarth and Ben Bubb to visit St Davids Ave...

Tenants at an Ammanford sheltered housing scheme have been getting a little crafty in their efforts to raise funds for charity. Ladies from the county council’s Pantyboblen complex in Penygarn Road, Tycroes, have been getting together every Wednesday afternoon armed with needles and thread as part of a social gathering. Over a natter, they have managed to handsew an impressive patchwork quilt which they are planning on raffling off for a charity which is special to their hearts. Sheltered Scheme Officer Gail Thomas said: “The tenants started a craft afternoon a while back and it took off really well with around 12 of them joining in. Together, they have cut out squares from some spare fabric, hand sewn them together and machine stitched them to wadding to make a fantastic patch-work quilt. “They are so proud of it, and rightly so – I tried helping once and it wasn’t easy – especially since their vision isn’t so great these days.” The ladies are now busy selling raffle tickets to fa...

It's hats off to the tenants at Llys Glanymor Sheltered Housing Scheme who have celebrated Easter with a traditional bonnet competition. Sheltered Scheme Officer Cindy Heath Thomas is pictured serving refreshments to tenants during the event. Meanwhile, 90-year-old tenant Maude Griffiths puts the finishing touches to her Easter bonnet. Pics Jeff Connell

   A new luncheon club has been launched in the Gwendraeth.  ‘Hwyl, Bwyd a Bingo’ or Fun, Food and Bingo, is held weekly at the Llys Y Dderwen Sheltered Housing Scheme , Ponthenri.  The first lunch was held there last week, and now more local residents are being encouraged to join up. Sheltered Scheme Officer Angela Aubrey, said: “We hope the luncheon club will be a big hit. We have some fantastic volunteers who serve up a hot meal, and then we play bingo and have a chat. “It’s a great way for people to get together, and because we run it ourselves there is no eligibility criteria – you can just join up and come along. The club is for everyone living locally, not just the tenants of Llys Y Dderwen.” Carmarthenshire County Council operates several Sheltered Schemes across the county, which provide a mixture of self-contained bungalows and flats for tenants aged over 60. Each scheme benefits from a communal area where tenants can enjoy shared meals and entertain...

Tenants at council-run Sheltered Housing Schemes across Carmarthenshire have enjoyed a bowl of Cawl and a catch-up as part of the St David’s Day celebrations. Hundreds of tenants joined in the fun on March 1 – many of them as part of luncheon clubs that operate out of some schemes. Carmarthenshire County Council operates several Sheltered Schemes across the county, providing a mixture of self-contained bungalows and flats for tenants aged over 60. Each scheme benefits from a communal area where tenants can enjoy shared meals and entertainment should they choose. Every scheme is also staffed by a Sheltered Scheme Officer who provides support for tenants and organises entertainment and group activities.

From telephones with large buttons to fall detectors and property exit sensors, a new Telecare demonstration and training facility in Carmarthenshire has got it all. Based at a Tycroes sheltered housing scheme, the facility is used to show the wide range of equipment which is available to help people live independently in their own homes. Health and social care professionals, as well as service users and relatives, can visit the facility to learn more about the equipment, and the service which links it up to the council’s 24/7 Careline+ monitoring service. Currently, there are more than 1,400 Telecare packages installed in Carmarthenshire, which – as well as helping people to manage risks in their home environment - also provides peace of mind to relatives and carers. Should any of the detectors or sensors be activated, Careline+ operatives speak to service users in real-time to offer reassurance and call for appropriate help. Telecare manager, Jeanette Munn, said: “Through p...

Carers, councillors, staff and members of the public are among those that have already visited a new Telecare demonstration and training facility in Carmarthenshire. The facility, at Pant Y Boblen Sheltered Housing Scheme in Tycroes, is fully fitted with a wide range of equipment which is used to help people live independently in their own homes. Telecare is an innovative system which uses a range of discreet equipment, including smoke, carbon monoxide and flood detectors, fall detectors and property exit sensors, to help people manage risks within their home environment. The service is linked to the council’s 24/7 Careline+ monitoring service, and provides extra peace of mind for carers and relatives of older or vulnerable people living at home. Should any of the detectors or sensors be activated, Careline+ operatives speak to service users in real-time to offer reassurance and call for appropriate help. Telecare manager, Jeanette Munn, said: “Through partnership working with colleagu...

Surveys are underway at several of Carmarthenshire council’s Sheltered Housing Schemes to look at ways of improving energy efficiency. Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing officers have teamed up with the Energy Savings Trust to look at Llys Glanymor, Clos Llanfiangel, and Llwyn yr Ynys Sheltered Schemes. The aim is to identify ways of making the buildings more efficient to run, reducing their carbon footprint and also helping to reduce fuel bills for residents and the council. Officers have already identified smaller scale improvements, such as upgrading internal and external lighting to LED or movement activated lighting in communal areas, which will switch off when the area is not in use. They will also look to ensure all radiators have valve controls so that those in stairways and corridors can be turned down, and also at loft insulation for communal areas to improve their thermal rating. Larger scale improvements could include looking at boiler systems and installing sola...

Pensioner William Dix is one of the older people in Carmarthenshire being helped to stay independent for longer by moving into sheltered housing. Mr Dix, of Llanelli, who is 76, recently moved into sheltered housing at Llwyn yr Ynys, Llwynhendy, from a three-bedroom council house. He said: “I was living on my own and am very pleased with my new home. I’m still living in the same community and am able to keep in contact with family and friends. “I had difficulty climbing stairs and steps and had a large garden that needed looking after. It will be far easier for me to manage here.” The council offers a range and options to support older people safely and securely in their own homes enabling then to enjoy life with dignity and respect. It is however recognised that staying in the family home is not always possible. In instances where age or illness make it impossible to remain in a larger home the council and a couple of Housing Association partners offer alternative housing within Shelt...