Three counties project wins award

A WEST WALES project that provides company and friendship for older people in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, has scooped a national award.
West Wales Befriending Links picked up the Age Cymru Local Delivery Award, sponsored by Derwen, at an awards ceremony hosted by Chris Corcoran in Cardiff on Friday 27 February.
The service was set up in 2011 with funding from the Big Lottery.
Age Cymru Sir Gâr, Age Cymru Pembrokeshire and Age Cymru Ceredigion run West Wales Befriending Links.
Rebecc a Thomas of Age Cymru Sir Gâr who manages the West Wales Befriending Links project said: “We realised anecdotally through the services that we provide and also through research that older people in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion were feeling isolated. We live in rural communities, but we also live in towns, but whether people were part of a crowd or living by themselves on a lane at the end of the road, people were feeling isolated. Our staff have supported older people to set up many groups across West Wales. West Wales Befriending Links currently has 50 groups running – from a tea dance of 70 members that meet in Kidwelly, to six older people who discuss incredible books in Lampeter in a coffee shop each week.
“We have over 2,000 older people involved in West Wales Befriending Links every week and we’re seeing a real difference in people’s lives.”
Age Cymru is Wales’s largest and leading charity for older people. On Friday February 27, it gave out six awards to individuals and groups who make a difference to the lives of older people.
Commenting on West Wales Befriending Links’ win, Age Cymru’s Chief Executive, Ian Thomas, says: “Congratulations to West Wales Befriending Links on winning the Age Cymru Local Delivery Award. Every day there are unsung heroes in communities right across Wales who are making a real difference to the lives of older people.”
“Most don’t get the credit they deserve, but with our awards, Age Cymru is doing our bit to make sure individuals and organisations like West Wales Befriending Links are recognised for their outstanding contribution to improving the lives of older people.”