AN AMMANFORD man says he has fulfilled his life time travel ambition and its all thanks to the care home he lives in.

David Llewellyn Jones, a resident at Cartref Ael-y-Bryn, has told how carers helped him achieve his dream by cramming in so many activities and visits on a recent tour of London including riding on London Eye.

Mr Jones, 71, visited the capital on a trip with home managers, Shamila and Thasan Yoganathan and was delighted to share his experiences at a recent Carmarthenshire County Council care service conference.

Talking to a group of carers and managers from all over the area, Mr Jones said: “I never thought I would have the opportunity in my lifetime.

“We started off with trips to Mumbles and Tenby. I have never really been out of Cross Hands before.

“Now I have been to London I want to take that extra step and go to France”.

Mr Jones' trip was one of many new schemes that are benefitting care home residents in Carmarthenshire and the whole of the Hywel Dda University Health Board.

With 32 homes and 1300 beds in the area, bold and inspirational ideas are benefitting residents by creating a home from home with fantastic magic moment opportunities.

Manager’s at Carmarthenshire council run homes have introduced everything from vintage tea rooms, big screen cinemas to a pub lounge, flower and vegetable gardens and even a beach with deckchairs and sand that residents can enjoy without leaving the safety of their home.

This radical new thinking is changing the perception of residents sat in circles gathered round the TV waiting for the next mealtime.

It was this challenging new approach that was the theme behind the recent conference and workshop at Carmarthen’s Halliwell Centre.

Assistant chief inspector of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales, David Francis, said Mr Jones’s experience had clearly meant so much to him.

“It is by providing these magic moments that our private and council run homes becomes a natural home from home," he said.

“I see so much good practice achieved. Others have much to learn by thinking outside the box. It is down to bold leadership, being daring and pushing boundaries in a safe way.”

County executive board member for social care and health, Cllr Jane Tremlett said it was wonderful to see so many get so much from the day.

“Innovative thinking that was a golden thread running through the day,” she said.