An inclusive youth group dedicated to the social needs of young people with learning or physical disabilities has become a weekly highlight for people supported at Swanton’s West Wales services.
The Mix Youth Group meets every Monday at the White Hart in Landeilo and Wednesday nights at Llandybie Memorial Hall to provide socialising, music and a variety of activities.
According to SCS Registered Managed Yvette Stallard, The Mix is invaluable to helping the people supported to forge friendships.
Yvette said: “The people we support absolutely love going to The Mix – it’s an invaluable community resource that means so much to the people who attend.
“What’s great is that there’s something for every person to enjoy, whether that’s dancing to the music, doing an activity quietly or hanging out with friends in other services.
“It gives the people we support the chance to build bonds, develop confidence and relax in a safe, supportive environment.”
As well as doing their weekly discos, offering snooker, pool, singing, dancing, board games and much more, The Mix organises parties for events like Halloween, Christmas and Summer BBQ season.
But Yvette said the relationships formed through meeting at The Mix are life-changing.
Yvette added: “Many of the people we support forged new friendships at The Mix and then started socialising outside the group.
“We have people in different GRS services who’ve bonded at the club nights and then started spending time together at other times.
“At our regular coffee mornings, lots of people we support want to come because they got to know each other through The Mix and want to catch up.
“It’s fantastic that the organisers of The Mix have created something that has such a positive impact on people living with additional needs in Carmarthenshire.”
