How unique partnership supports residents and students

Vision 21 is a charity supporting life-changing opportunities for people with learning disabilities to realise their potential.

We launched a partnership together in 2010, when we were considering the catering arrangements for two of our Extra Care communities.

As part of the initiative, students at Vision 21 deliver catering services at Llys Nant Y Mynydd and Plas Hyfryd, which provide high quality apartments and communal facilities to older people in Nantyglo and Caerphilly.

The partnership has delivered an important lunchtime meal service for United Welsh residents, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, and represent a unique model of a social enterprise delivering a catering service within Extra Care.

The catering project provides opportunities for people with learning disabilities to gain work experience and achieve their potential in a safe environment.

This directly benefits our Extra Care residents through a personal service within the restaurant, with Vision 21 staff always willing to go the extra mile.

Wayne Lewis, CEO at V21, said: “When V21 and United Welsh first came together, it wasn’t just the start a great partnership, it was the start of something life-changing.

“For V21 trainees, stepping into the extra-care housing schemes meant more than learning new skills; it meant finding a place where they belong.

“They were quickly welcomed into the homes of the tenants and found their place.

“That’s what this collaboration creates, a community built on kindness, inclusion, and shared values.”

The unique partnership has allowed Vision 21 to get to know our residents and to understand their dietary requirements.

This has allowed them to develop bespoke menus to match customer requests.

Andrew Burns, Living Well Team Leader at United Welsh, said: “We greatly value the long-term partnership with Vision 21 and the mutual benefit it brings to United Welsh residents and V21 students.

“The provision of a freshly prepared, hot lunch seven days a week is an important benefit of Extra Care living, and the V21 students play an important role in preparing the meals and serving in the restaurant.

“It is a unique service within the Extra Care environment which I hope will continue for a long time yet.”