Helen and Tony Woodman are carers with West Wales Adult Placement (Shared Lives) Scheme. Thanks to the work of the Scheme and funding from the council, the people who visit Helen and Tony’s home in the peaceful Cych Valley, Pembrokeshire have the opportunity to create works of art that are sited in prominent positions around Carmarthenshire. These include The Boars marking the gateway into Ammanford, The Drover Sculptures in a busy shopping area in Carmarthen and two Dragons, one welcoming visitors to Carmarthen and the other guarding the gateway to Newcastle Emlyn Castle, which legend says was the place the last dragon of Wales was slain. This latest project was the work of service users, Craig Jenkins and Wyn Havard from Pembrokeshire and Jean John and Rhian Evans from Carmarthenshire.
In addition to creating the dragon, all involved in the project have had the opportunity to make something that they have designed and made for themselves. Rhian says “I drew out the design for a door stop and I will make that next. I like coming here to work with Tony. He is fun to work with.” Another participant said, “I have enjoyed seeing the dragon grow each week and also lunch break when we can all have a chat around the table.” Craig is now beginning a work training placement in a woodwork company.
Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister at the Welsh Assembly Government came to admire the dragon and met everybody involved. She said, “I have been extremely impressed by what I have learnt and I am very humbled by the work of the carers.”
Escaping the invisible asylum 