"I was delighted to visit Lewis Martin Court this afternoon and take part in the activity session with service users. "
Vaughan Gething AM
Residents had the opportunity to chat with Mr Gething, the AM for South Cardiff and Penarth who also serves as cabinet secretary for health and social care in the assembly, about their experiences of living with disability. He also took part in an arts and crafts session run by Creative Mojo.
Lewis Martin Court is a residential care home with nursing for disabled adults who have a range of complex needs and learning difficulties. It focuses on supporting residents to build capacity and live as independently as possible.
Many of the residents of Lewis Martin Court have become passionate advocates for the disabled community. Resident Amy-Claire Davies recently featured in a BBC documentary, The Incurable Optimist, which won a BAFTA Cymru. Another resident, Josh Reeves, campaigns with Leonard Cheshire Disability.
Commenting on his visit, Vaughan Gething AM, said: “I was delighted to visit Lewis Martin Court this afternoon and take part in the activity session with service users.
“It’s truly humbling to see the amazing work that the staff do with people with disabilities and I’m delighted to have this centre based in my constituency.”
Lewis Martin Court resident, 23-year-old Josh Reeves, said: “It was great to see Vaughan Gething AM visiting us residents at Lewis Martin Court.
“I hope he has seen insight into what the staff of Lewis Martin Court and creative mojo do to help disabled people to enjoy activities.
“It was excellent discussing the importance of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and step-free stations."
Kirsty Betts, another resident of Lewis Martin Court, who is 25 from Cwmbran and has spastic quadriplegia, added: “It was good, and he treated me like a person, we had fun.”
Martyn Heginbotham, managing director of adult care at Salutem, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Gething to Lewis Martin Court and it was great for our residents to meet and discuss their experiences with him.
“We passionately work to ensure that our residents engage fully with all aspects of the community, including as advocates for their communities.”
