Mencap Cymru celebrates 21 years of respite care in Llanrwst

Sep 9 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

A VITAL service providing short respite breaks for people with a learning disability celebrated 21 years in Llanrwst recently with a special birthday party.

For the last 21 years Mencap Cymru’s Melverly Short Term Care House in Parry Road, Llanrwst has been providing short term respite care for people with a learning disability.

The weekend’s special event was attended by service users, their parents and carers and supported by local Aberconwy AM Gareth Jones.

The respite centre was first set up by parents who ran the Conwy and District Mencap Society and was taken over by Mencap Cymru in 2002.

Glan Conwy resident Mary Oliver is now Co-Chair of Mencap Cymru and was one of the parents who established the original service back in 1989. She was on hand to welcome local Assembly Member Gareth Jones to the party.

“We are very pleased Gareth was able to join us today and see first hand what an amazing service this is,” said Mary.

“The service was developed by local parents back in 1989 and was later taken over by Mencap Cymru at our request in 2002.

“The respite breaks it provides for people with a learning disability are much needed as they not only provide an opportunity to meet new and old friends but give parents a break from their caring responsibilities.”

Gareth Jones spent the afternoon taking to people who use the service along with their carers and parents as well as representatives from Conwy Social Services department who fund the highly-valued service.

“I was honoured to be asked by Mary and Innocentia to be the special guest and to cut the cake,” said the AM.

“Mencap Cymru does terrific work throughout Wales making a huge difference to the quality of life for many people and it is to their great credit that they have kept this respite service going here in Llanrwst for over two decades.

“A huge number of local people have benefited over the years and I hope they will continue to benefit from Mencap Cymru’s generosity and expertise for many more years to come. The service is 21 years old – it’s come of age and I wish Melverly and Mencap Cymru a very Happy Birthday and many happy returns.”

Mencap Cymru has over 1500 individual members and a growing number of schools and community groups and runs the Wales Learning Disability Helpline which offers information and support on a range of issues. Helpline on 0808 808 1111.