An Aberystwyth charity has praised a funding scheme which will allow it to open its new centre in the town after the pandemic - with hopes of buying the building next year.

Aberystwyth & District Hospice at Home Volunteers (HAHAV) has been singing the praises of the Third Sector Resilience Fund, as First Minister Mark Drakeford announced the latest £2.25m phase of the fund.

The fund has already provided a grant to HAHAV to help extend their support services by launching the Plas Antaron Living Well Centre in Penparcau - the only such facility in Ceredigion.

In December 2019, HAHAV had leased the former hotel Plas Antaron, but Covid-19 had prevented the group from opening the building as planned.

However, with help from the National Lottery Community Fund, the organisation was able to use the time to install state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment for outreach use by Hywel Dda counsellors, therapists and the pulmonary rehabilitation team to provide online exercise sessions.

By supporting the recruitment of a facilities manager and fundraiser, funding from the Third Sector Resilience Fund will enable a major HAHAV relaunch post Covid-19, offering support for people, and their carers, who are living with incurable or life-limiting conditions.

Boosting the management of Plas Antaron means that HAHAV can also expand the range of support available, from bereavement support, and complementary therapies such as reflexology and reiki.

In the future, HAHAV plans to host advice sessions by organisations such as Marie Curie and Macmillan and other charities.

The planned café will offer companionship and respite for clients and carers.

HAHAV’s online services for home-based clients from Plas Antaron include Living Well group activities such as art and creative writing sessions as well as classes.

The development of HAHAV will maximise and expand the valuable role of the charity’s many volunteers who are the backbone of HAHAV support activities in the community.

Aiming to purchase Plas Antaron at the end of 2022, HAHAV is hoping with the support of WCVA’s Third Sector Resilience funding that they will be able to secure Plas Antaron as a “safe, sympathetic venue of care and support” in Ceredigion; developing a “sustainable legacy” for their community.

James Dunbar, chief operating officer of HAHAV, said: “HAHAV is a model for volunteer-led compassionate care and provides significant community impact and support.

“WCVA’s Third Sector Resilience funding has been instrumental in helping us recover from the impacts of Covid-19.

“We can now grow the services we offer to people who are living with incurable or life-limiting conditions and their carers.

“Our aim is to develop a sustainable legacy for our community.”

The Third Sector Resilience Fund is now in its third phase.