Hazel Roberts -10 years volunteering – companionship and bowling competitions at Llys Coed.

It is hard to get a word in when Hazel Roberts arrives at Llys y Coed in Llanfairfechan.. everyone is popping over to say hello, asking how she is, and even showing her their latest photographs of their great-grandchildren.

73-year-old Hazel is a familiar face at North Wales Housing’s Extra Care Scheme every Wednesday afternoon for the last 10 years, where she plans and delivers activities for the residents, aged over 60.

Llys Coed has a real community feel with one and two bedroom apartments which allow couples and friends to stay together but have a little extra support. It was North Wales Housing’s first Extra Care Scheme, developed in partnership with Conwy County Borough Council.

Hazel said:

“I used to come here with a friend of mine to put on Bingo on a Friday evening. My friend was no longer able to come along due to her family commitments so we stopped bingo. I  asked then what else I could help out with instead?

“We used to also do a bowls afternoon as well, so I was asked to carry on with the bowls and I have been doing that ever since.”

It’s indoor carpet bowls with a league table and can get quite competitive Hazel explained, depending on who is playing!

“We play seated so everyone can join in and get a little bit of exercise and company into the bargain.

“We make it an annual thing and for the last game of the year we have a  cup … for years it was always the blue team and this year it went to a decider, and the reds won.”

Hazel is also an invaluable support to Llys Coed’s Manager, Cheryl Haggas.

She said:

“Hazel pops in and helps me with all the extras such as raffles at Christmas and getting all of our special events ready. She is like my right-hand woman and is a very good friend to the residents here.”

Resident Dorothy said:

“It is really nice to see Hazel, she is a familiar face from the village, where most of us have lived for many years. She is an extra pair of hands when we need it.”

Hazel said her favourite time of year at Llys Coed is Christmas but she enjoys all of her visits here.

She added:

“I enjoy coming and we have a bit of a gossip as a lot of residents lived in the village, as I still do. We all like to keep up with what is going on!

“As long as everyone enjoys the bowls and events I will still keep coming.”