Guests at the official opening of a housing association’s £7.8m extra care facility in Porthmadog have learnt about the positive impact it is having on the lives of residents.

Grwp Cynefin’s Hafod y Gest development, which is located in the heart of the town and saw its first tenants arrive earlier this year, allows older people from the area to benefit from a new independent lifestyle facility in a safe community environment with flexible care services available.

Hafod y Gest consists of 26 two-bedroom and 14 one-bedroom apartments and is a partnership development between Gwynedd Council and Grwp Cynefin, developed by Anwyl Construction. It was part-funded by the Welsh Government’s Housing Grant.

During the build, 12 apprentices from across north Wales worked on Hafod y Gest, with 92 per cent of the total workforce living in the region. The project has created seven permanent jobs including project manager, caretaker, kitchen staff, and night carers.

Julie James AM, Minister for Housing and Local Government, officially opened the scheme and was joined by pupils from Ysgol Eifionydd school, who entertained attendees with a musical performance.

Carina Roberts, community services director at Grwp Cynefin, said: “The residents have settled in very well and they are thoroughly enjoying their new lifestyle.

“One person had not left her house for two years before arriving here due to a large number of steps outside her property. Moving into Hafod y Gest has reopened the door to her world and she’s been visiting the town centre and local shops.

“To see the positive change this facility has had on people’s lives is amazing.”

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