Help shape future of Carmarthenshire third sector services

RESIDENTS are being asked for their views to help shape the future of third sector services in Carmarthenshire.

The third sector includes a range of different organisations, such as charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups that deliver essential services to a wide range of residents, helping to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

Carmarthenshire County Council is looking to change the way it commissions third sector services to make it simpler and easier for residents to access, and to enhance the quality of support and activities provided by focusing on what is important to local people.

Changes that had to be made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are being looked at as an opportunity to build on the positive work that has been carried out and to identify what services are needed for the future.

A public consultation exercise is underway to gather people’s views to help plan and deliver a new community-based service model which will meet the needs of communities.

The consultation ends on August 26. Paper copies are also available from the council’s customer service Hwbs in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford, and a number of face-to-face events are being held over the summer to engage directly with residents.

The council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services Cllr Jane Tremlett said:

“The council has a long-standing, valued relationship with the third sector which plays an important role in helping to improve people’s wellbeing. Our discussions have highlighted that there is a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills within organisations, particularly in relation to the lived experience of service users and what matters to them. It is important that we continue to work together to deliver modern, high-quality services that meet the needs of the communities we serve. This consultation will help us to identify what services are needed in the future and where, and how people would like to access them.”