Views to help shape future of third sector services sought

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 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 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. 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.

“This consultation will help us to identify what services are needed in the future and where, and how people would like to access them.”

Visit the consultation pages on the council website before Friday, August 26 to have your say.

Paper copies are also available from the council’s customer service Hwbs in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford, and a number of faceto-face events are being held over the summer.

For more information, visit carmarthenshire.gov.wales/ consultations