Hair and Beauty students have been getting some hands on experience by pampering tenants at a sheltered housing complex.
The residents at Y Fron, in Old Colwyn, are looking and feeling great after enjoying a full range of beauty treatments, from mini facials to pedicures and wash and blow hair styling to manicures.
Housing association Cartrefi Conwy’s partnership with Coleg Llandrillo has proved so popular that the pamper sessions at the community centre will become a weekly event.
According to Nerys Veldhuizen, the Warden at Y Fron, the sessions are also going to be rolled out to other Cartrefi Conwy communities.
She said: “The first session was held in February and proved so popular with tenants we are making them a regular feature. We are delighted to work so closely with Coleg Llandrillo.
“The students are benefiting by getting hands on experience while our tenants are able to have top beauty treatments at a fraction of the cost they would normally have to pay. It really is a win-win situation.
“Of course, one of the other huge benefits so far as our tenants are concerned is the opportunity to meet and socialise together. There is a real community feel and tremendous buzz around the whole event.”
Tenant Gwyneth Peers, 90, enjoyed a manicure from 17-year-old Year 1 student Georgina Agar, of Denbigh.
She said: “I do really enjoy it and the students are so patient and understanding. It’s really good to come along, meet up with friends and enjoy a good chat while enjoy a little pamper.
“Coming along to the sessions is something I look forward to and I will certainly be having a good pamper before my 91st birthday in July!”
Georgina said: “It is a really good way to gain some experience and I really enjoy meeting ladies like Gwyneth and having a good chat.
“The sessions are giving me more confidence and socialising with the tenants is a good way to improve my people skills. The tenants clearly enjoy getting together and although it’s very busy it’s a lot of fun too.”
Ffordd Pandy sheltered housing tenant Kath Williams, 63, enjoyed a pedicure from First Year student Shannon Robinson, 16, of Colwyn Bay and said the scheme was hugely popular among tenants.
She said: “It really is good and there is a fantastic community atmosphere with lots of laughter.
“I will certainly be a regular visitor to these sessions which are a brilliant idea. The students are so caring and nice and you leave feeling really happy after your treatment. And at just £3 a treatment it doesn’t break the bank.”
Shannon, a former Colwyn Bay Eirias High School pupil, added: “I am really enjoying the experience. It does get busy but the atmosphere is lovely and I have gained a lot of confidence from working at the sessions.”
Susan Hughes, the wife of Glyn Ward councillor and Cartrefi Conwy board member, Cllr Chris Hughes, dropped in on the session with her husband and decided to have a cut and blow dry while she was there.
She said: “It’s absolutely fantastic, the atmosphere is so warm and friendly and there is no doubt all the tenants who have come along have thoroughly enjoyed the session and the treatments on offer.”
Cllr Hughes echoed his wife’s sentiments and added: “Clearly tenants appreciate the opportunity to experience the treatments available and at prices they can afford.
Fellow board Cartrefi Conwy board member, Mair Jones, enthused: “It is wonderful to see so many tenants coming along and socialising as well as taking advantage of the treatments available.
“There is a real sense of community at the sessions and you can see just how much the tenants and students enjoy the event.
“I really hope we see the partnership between Coleg Llandrillo and Cartrefi Conwy develop even further in the future as clearly, both can benefit from each other.”
Coleg Llandrillo tutor Fiona Jones said: “These sessions are a real opportunity to gain some confidence and some important people skills through meeting people many of whom are of an older generation.
“I am really pleased as a college we have forged these close links with Cartrefi Conwy and although we have started here at Y Fron we are looking to expand the scheme to other communities.”
