A day aimed at promoting home safety and reassurance for older residents in the Meirionnydd area has been hailed a success.
Dolgellau Fire Station recently opened its doors once again to host the monthly ‘Clwb Cinio’ – a luncheon club for the over-55s in the area.
Launched back in February, ‘Clwb Cinio’ is the first lunch club of its kind to be held in a Fire Station in North Wales and gives an opportunity for various agencies to talk to older local residents.
“This is very much a partnership approach,” said PC Dewi Wynne from the Meirionnydd Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“The most recent day was the third ‘Clwb Cinio’ to be held at the Fire Station and it was a huge success. 28 older residents attended and were given a three-course meal as well as an input from myself and the local CBM, PC Angharad Noble regarding home security and an input from the Fire and Rescue Service about fire safety.
He added: “So far nearly 100 older people have taken part in the lunch days which have proved to be a very successful method of engaging with the elderly.
“Other older groups from other areas are requesting to join such as Trawsfynnydd which has a good transport link with Dolgellau so another 20 may be attending on a different day. Other agencies also use the opportunity to speak to the group to pass on information.”
Clwb Cinio has received an initial grant from the Gwynedd Older People’s Strategy and Dolgellau Rotary Club involving partners such as the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police, Public Health Wales, Gwynedd Council, Gwynedd Citizens Advice Bureau, Dolgellau Community Council and older people representatives from Dolgellau.
As part of the reassurance days the Meirionnydd Older Persons Group have also toured some of the smaller villages in the area with the Fire Service’ Community Bus. Recently a week-long tour saw over 80 residents visiting the bus in various locations throughout Meirionnydd. Due to its success with over 14 agencies taking part, another tour is being arranged for September.
PC Wynne added: “Initiatives such as these highlight the benefits of partnership working, enabling us to communicate with our older residents in the most effective way. They are also providing us with an opportunity to update the community on how we can assist and support them, providing reassurance as well as instilling trust and confidence.”
Richard Fairhead, Senior Fire Safety Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service added: “We as a fire and Rescue Service are very keen to work with the community and hosting the Clwb Cinio at the fire station gives us the opportunity to talk to older and vulnerable local people and teach them all about the importance of fire safety in the home.
“This new initiative is key to creating relationships with our older residents and getting across potentially life saving advice and information not only to those who attend the Clwb Cinio but also friends and acquaintances of those who we meet during the club sessions.”
