Pulled pints on the menu as Porthmadog specialist care home completes revamp
While residents of a specialist dementia Gwynedd care home may find getting to the local pub difficult, staff, businesses, and members of the community have gone the extra mile to help bring the pub to them.
Meddyg Care’s Porthmadog home has installed new facilities for its occupants, recreating a traditional lounge bar and adding new garden facilities to allow for family gatherings to take place on the site’s grounds.
The redevelopments come as the group, which has a second home in Criccieth, welcomes back families and loved ones to the home after an easing in visiting limitations.
The home’s pub, named the Glaslyn Arms after the estuary which runs alongside Porthmadog, allows residents to enjoy alcohol-free beers, wines, ciders, and spirits while also taking in occasions such as sporting events and pub quizzes in a safe environment.
And while the drinks might be easy to come by, it’s the finishing touches that makes all the difference, with businesses and community members stepping forward to donate authentic equipment in support of the pub’s construction.
Natasha Evans, activities and fundraising manager for Meddyg Care, said: “We were keen to add a pub to the Porthmadog site after seeing how much of an impact the bar made towards the wellbeing of our residents over in our Criccieth home.
“We put up messages on social media asking if anyone had pub items or memorabilia they could part with, and it was encouraging to have so many messages from local pubs and the community willing to help make the site a reality.
“The tenants have thoroughly enjoyed the spot and sharing fond moments with their loved ones since we’ve opened the doors, and we look forward to running more gatherings in the Glaslyn Arms in the near future.”
Among the donated items included mats, trays, coolers, and ice buckets from a couple from Morfa Bychan and pumps and glasses from a former Black Rock Sands pub.
Cat Beckett, who works for Robinsons Brewery and runs the Tu Hwnt I’r Afon Inn in Rhydyclafdy, also supplied brass plates, pump badges, mirrors, and drip trays to further model the Glaslyn Arms into an accurate recreation of a traditional pub.
Alongside the addition of a pub, the Porthmadog home has also seen a new garden installed, with tenants now able to access a location decorated with sensory flowers to have afternoon tea and outdoor family visits when weather permits.
Natasha added: “Given the additional need for caution during the pandemic, we have been working hard to do everything we can to accommodate our more vulnerable residents during visits with their loved ones and this garden is the next step to further support that goal.”
“We’ve now got a lovely environment for the residents to come outside during the day and enjoy the weather during spring and summer in a safe environment.
“Once the weather warms up again, we plan to hold numerous events such as hook-a-duck and water fights to keep our residents active and enjoying themselves.”