Llanelli Town Centre shop for crafters

You cannot fail to be impressed with the astonishing skills of crafters in Carmarthenshire Community Inclusion services.

As part of the day opportunities provided by Carmarthenshire Council, local adults with mental health and learning disabilities have been busy producing Christmas gifts and homewares on sale at their shop in Stepney Street.

The shop showcases a huge range of festive gifts including handmade trees and decorations at the Opportunity Street scheme premises.

The property has been an all year around workplace for the crafters since 2017 after it was made available and refurbished by Carmarthenshire Council, with the support of Welsh Government Opportunity Street funding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s head of mental health and learning disabilities, Avril Bracey, said: “These adults are so talented – the arts and crafts gifts they’ve created, not only during Christmas but all year around, are tremendous. Having this permanent base to exhibit, sell and create has been hugely beneficial.

“The retail unit helps promotes adult social skills, training, employment support initiatives, a better high street environment and at the same time raising the communities awareness of peoples abilities and improving their health and wellbeing.”

Opportunity Street is a scheme that involves the council buying empty properties from private ownership in Llanelli Town Centre, refurbishing them and bringing them back into use for affordable housing units as well as commercial/service.