A small Carmarthenshire community has shown what it’s made of by creating a new group to take over the provision of day club services for older people.
Over 90 residents from Ystradowen got involved when they heard that the county council was planning to withdraw day club services from the area as part of a wider review on day services.
They met with staff from the council’s social care, regeneration and corporate property departments to come up with a supported plan which meant they could take control of the service.
Since the meeting, the community has formed a 10-strong committee, brought together a group of volunteers and persuaded Quarter Bach Community Council to become the key holders of the building.
They are now looking at bringing the centre entirely in to the ownership of the local community.
It means that the service will continue as before, and now has the opportunity to expand and become more tailored in line with local need.
Carmarthenshire County Council has supported them throughout.
Chair Rhys Maddock said: “We have a group of people whose united skills will help deliver this project successfully. All members of the group feel that this is now an opportunity to increase the use of the building.
“There is strong support and plenty of energy coming from within the community and local people will be given full update on progress throughout.”
He added: “We’d like to thank officers from Carmarthenshire County Council, Quarter Bach Community Council and local member Cllr Helen Wyn for their help and support on what everybody hopes will be a successful venture.
“All we need for this to be a resounding success is the continued support of the community – not only volunteers to help us run the groups, but also for the community to make use of the building for events and occasions too.”
The committee will shortly be looking to produce a business plan for the long-term viability of the service and the building, and will be asking members of the community to have an input and help them fundraise.
Five day clubs – which are used by older people for social interaction – across Carmarthenshire were affected by a review of day services, which aimed to save £400,000 by redesigning underused services.
Of the five, three have already been successfully taken over by independent community-based groups, with discussions ongoing in the other two areas.
Sheila Porter, Head of Primary, Community and Social Care for Carmarthenshire County Council and the Hywel Dda Health Board, said: “The people of Ystradowen have proved that community spirit is alive and kicking.
“We do not make decisions to withdraw services lightly, and have worked very hard with members of the community to come up with alternatives.
“Their determination and commitment has meant that the service will continue in the hands of the local community – and I’ve no doubt that it will grow and thrive over the coming months.”
For further information about the new day club provision, or the use of the community building, contact chair Rhys Maddock on 01639 830599.
