A £3.7 million multi-purpose centre in Cwmbran will offer short-stay and respite accommodation, state-of-the-art communal facilities and a small number of flats for local tenants.
Ty Glas y Dorlan has been built in Thornhill on the site of the former Kingfisher pub. Torfaen Council has been given the keys to the building to make final preparations ready for its official opening in November.
Blaenavon-based building company P&P and Bron Afon Community Housing helped to design the building.
Alan Brunt, chief executive of Bron Afon, said: “I think it’s a really attractive building, and the staff who work here will help create life-changing experiences and improve wellbeing for the people who come here.
“This project is the first of its kind in Torfaen to provide services which will deliver care and social inclusion in our community. Bron Afon is proud to be partner in this innovative approach.”
P&P Builders Development Manager Tim Crooks added: “We are pleased to be working with Bron Afon and Torfaen Council to deliver this building which has transformed this space into an innovative facility for the benefit of the community.”
The new centre has been partly funded by Welsh Government.
It includes six flats for long-term residents managed by Bron Afon Housing, and 12 self-contained flats for respite care or short breaks for carers.
“Feels like a hotel room”
Each flat has been designed to look and feel like a hotel room and includes the latest in assistive technology and 24/7 on-site support.
Members of the public will be able to use the centre’s facilities, including opportunities to trial assistive technology, booking rooms and attending events.
Torfaen Council’s Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing, Councillor David Daniels, said: “Today’s event marks the culmination of months of hard work by Torfaen Social Care and Housing teams and our partners P&P, Bron Afon Housing.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming residents and members of the public later in the year, and to working with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to provide a world-class enablement and respite service.”
Job vacancies and tenancies
To find out more about how to apply for a long-term tenancy or job vacancies, visit Torfaen Council’s website.