News from around our schemes
Fishguard is blooming
Residents in Fishguard are getting back into gardening since the communal areas outside their scheme have been upgraded.
Under the improvements at Llain Las older person’s scheme (pictured), fruit trees have been planted, wildflower seeds sown and new raised beds installed, making it easier for the older residents to use and spend more time socialising outside.
One resident said: “The raised beds have made such a difference to me. I was unable to bend down to garden due to my mobility. These raised beds are accessible, and I can garden whilst sitting on my walker.”
Another resident said: “I used to garden a lot when I had my own place, and I have really missed it. I enjoy spending time outdoors as it keeps me active.”
The project was funded by Pembrokeshire Local Nature Partnership and residents say they are looking forward to seeing the wildflower area develop and the trees bloom.
Opening up the online world for older residents
From banking to shopping, managing prescriptions and booking doctors’ appointments in today’s digital world, online is the place to be if you want to stay connected.
For many older residents, the internet can feel daunting. However, residents in West Wales have been getting some help thanks to a digital project run by Age Cymru.
Workers from Age Cymru Dyfed visited our older person’s schemes at Llain Las, Fishguard and Llys Owen, Cardigan, to hold digital sessions for residents.
They were on-hand to help residents to create passwords, close down old email accounts and access important online documents like insurance. They also offered support to some residents who wanted to buy and set up new devices and showed them how to change settings to magnify text on their screens.
Celebrating VE Day – 80 years on
Communities all over the country celebrated 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
Thursday 8th May marked the anniversary of VE Day. Our residents joined in with their own parties.
At St Catherine’s Court, Caerphilly, residents got out the bunting and held a celebration for all the residents. The party was organised by Jacqui and Debra.
In Llwyn Alun, residents put the proceeds of a tabletop sale towards the cost of holding their own VE day party – where they received a visit from one of the stars of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent (BGT).
More than 30 family and friends joined in an afternoon and evening of celebrations at the estate in Hope, Flintshire.
Bunting adorned the street and bouncy castles, giant games, face painting, music and food filled the afternoon.
There was a surprise guest appearance and live performance from Guitar Ollie, who finished fourth in BGT 2025.
The party was organised by Tracy and Colin, in conjunction with fellow residents Dawn, Lisa, Vicky, Gordon and Anna.
Tracy said: “It was a brilliant day. We invited the whole street and there was a great turnout. A lot of us spend time together outside in summer so we had started to think about holding a street party. I was watching a TV programme about VE day and that’s where the idea came from.”
National award for Cardigan mums
A group of parents, who set up a voluntary group to plan fun activities for families where they live, have been rewarded for their hard work.
The group got together and secured funding to put on fun days and free activities in their local park at Pentop, Cardigan.
More than 100 children and 40 parents have benefited from the events, which include summer fun days, Easter egg hunts and Halloween and Christmas parties.
In June they won the Communities Supporting Communities category in TPAS Cymru’s Good Practice Awards.
Congratulations to everyone involved. The fun days have been hailed as a “lifesaver” for residents living on the estate.
Easter fun in West Wales
Children at Gwar y Garth, Penrhyncoch, near Aberystwyth took part in Easter activities at the scheme.
While the children painted and hunted for Easter eggs, their parents had a cuppa and a chat with their housing officers.
The families moved into their new homes on the outskirts of Aberystwyth at the start of the year.