New friendship is helping women
SINCE the start of the Covid-19 pandemic communities have pulled together to help each other.
From neighbours and friends, to community groups and clubs, they have all been lending a hand over the difficult last 20 months.
One alliance which was struck while Wales and the rest of the UK was in lockdown during the first half of last year, was between Felinfoel Women’s Institute (WI) and Llanelli Women’s Refuge.
It all began with the ladies at the women’s institute asking the refuge the simple question of ‘do you need anything?’.
From there a friendship was formed which remains firmly in place as we reach the end of another year.
Mary Bennett, (pictured above with assistant secretary Mandy James making up gift bags for Christmas), president of Felinfoel Women’s Institute, which is part of the Sir Gar Federation said: “Our contact with the Llanelli Women’s Refuge began in May 2020, when we got in touch with them to offer support in whatever way we could do.
“We asked what they were in need of and they said toiletries such as soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and hair brushes, deodorants, sanitary products, talcum powder and tissues as well as flannels, towels, dressing gowns, pyjamas and slippers.”
The WI sprung into action and wasted no time in gathering what was needed, some members even made draw-string fabric toilet bags which were then filled with the muchneeded items.
Mrs Bennett said: “The refuge was extremely grateful and one of the coordinators offered to come and speak at one of our meetings when we were able to restart getting together again, which they did.
She said: “Some of them have young children who arrive with nothing, only what they are standing in.
“The refuge gives each child a Buddy Bag on arrival which some of them hold so tightly as that is all they will have.
“These bags contain a pair of pyjamas, socks, underwear, a reading book, colouring book and crayons and a cuddly knitted toy all relevant to their ages.
“With Christmas approaching the WI has once again collected items and have made up some beautiful Christmas gift bags for women and mums along with gift bags for children.
“Our WI members also decided that in lieu of giving each other Christmas cards we would do a collection and gift the monies to the refuge which they will be using to take their ladies out for Christmas lunch.”
The link between both organisations is just one of many forged across Llanelli and Carmarthenshire during the pandemic and it is a friendship that is likely to continue for a long time to come.