New apartments for older people in Llanelli

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 Hughes Griffiths. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Executive Board Member for Housing, Cllr Linda Evans, led proceedings, which included a choral showpiece from pupils of nearby Bigyn School and a guided tour. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is a pleasure to see the building so full of life,” said Cllr Evans. “There is a real warmth here that is echoed by new and old tenants who are enjoying the new surroundings. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are pleased, as a council, to be able to invest in schemes such as this which provide suitable homes for people to maintain their independence later in life.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Tenant Nigel Evans has recently moved into one of the new apartments, but has lived at Waddle’s Court for some time. “You couldn’t wish for anything better, it’s a pleasure to be living here,” he said. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Neighbour Brian Williams, added: “I’ve been living at Waddle’s Court for six years – it’s close to Asda, the indoor market and the bus station so it’s very convenient. As for the new extension, it’s excellent – a great improvement. They’ve really catered for us, with a TV lounge, library, computer room and another large lounge.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​