Bro Preseli, Family Housing’s new £9million extra care scheme was due to open as the Tivy-Side went to press on Monday.

The development includes 40 one and two bedroom apartments for rent alongside a new 20 space day centre and a new health centre for Hywel Dda Health Board.

The new Health Centre will create new facilities for the existing GPs practice and Community Health Team on the former Livestock Mart site in Crymych.

Phil Dennis, Director of Operations at Family Housing said: “Bro Preseli has been a great opportunity for us to build on our successes in the field of extra care. We have created much needed facilities right in the heart of the community which goes to show what can be achieved when different agencies work towards a common goal. We aim to create a vibrant hub providing much needed state of the art facilities for the older generation and wider community of Crymych.

The first tenants will move in this week, while demand has been high, there are still some vacancies.

County Director and commissioner for Pembrokeshire and Project Director for the University Health Board development, Sue Lewis said: “The new facility is a significant improvement from the current temporary buildings which the GPs have been working out of. It has been purpose built in consultation with the GPs and the community to ensure it meets the needs of residents not just now but in years to come.”

Building on the success of their Hazel Court Extra Care scheme in Swansea, and Maes Mwldan in Cardigan, and part of an ongoing programme of excellence in extra care, Family Housing have been able to put experience to good use in designing this new scheme which includes a large lounge, a restaurant, shop, well-being room and craft and hobby room.

Bro Preseli forms part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s programme to provide extra care schemes throughout the county as part of their older persons’ strategy and will be officially opened by The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, on November 17.

County Councillor Simon Hancock, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Well-Being and Equalities said: “I am delighted to see the completion of this innovative partnership project that will provide excellent housing, the opportunity to reduce social isolation amongst older people and a health facility for the Crymych area all on one site.

“The project will help further our overall aim to deliver services in people’s own homes that meet their needs in a flexible and sustainable way.”

Pupils from Ysgol y Preseli worked with Family Housing, Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board to suggest names for the new development from which the community council chose Bro Preseli.

Jayne Jones, Head of Care and Support Services at Family Housing said: “All of our extra care homes are designed to be part of the local community rather than separate from it and local people are encouraged to come in and use the facilities."