FINAL preparations are being made ahead of the opening of a £3.7-million wellbeing hub in Cwmbran.

The multi-purpose centre will offer luxury short-stay enablement and respite accommodation, state-of-the-art communal facilities and a small number of flats for local tenants.

Torfaen council was given the keys to the centre, known as Ty Glas y Dorlan, from Blaenavon-based building company, P&P, and Bron Afon Housing, which helped to design the purpose-built facility on Friday.

It means staff can start the final preparations ahead of the official opening in November.

Alan Brunt, CEO of Bron Afon, said: “I think it’s a really attractive building, and the staff who work here will help create life changing experiences and improve wellbeing for the people who come here.

“This project is the first of its kind in Torfaen to provide services which will deliver care and social inclusion in our community.”

More News:

The new centre, built on the site of the former Kingfisher pub in Thornhill, has been partly funded by the Welsh Government, and is based on an innovative model that puts the needs of the individual at the centre of its design.

It includes six flats for long-term residents managed by Bron Afon Housing, and 12 self-contained flats for respite care or short breaks for carers.

Each flat has been designed to look and feel like a hotel room and includes the latest in assistive technology and 24/7 on-site support.

Clients will also have access to the communal facilities and an entertainments co-ordinator.

Members of the public will also have access to the centre’s facilities, including opportunities to trial assistive technology, booking rooms and attending events.

Planning permission for the development was granted in January last year.

Cllr David Daniels, Torfaen council’s executive member for adult services and housing, said: “Today’s event marks the culmination of months of hard work by Torfaen social care and housing teams and our partners P&P, Bron Afon Housing.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming residents and members of the public later in the year, and to working with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to provide a world-class enablement and respite service.”

Tim Crooks, P&P Builders development manager, said the building has “transformed this space into an innovative facility for the benefit of the community”.