Carmarthenshire County Council has announced a £1.2 million investment into improving digital connectivity for the county’s 20 sheltered housing schemes and seven residential homes.
It said the funding has supported the installation of superfast fibre circuits at each site, accompanied by internal and external Wi-Fi networks to provide fast internet access to residents, staff and visitors.
This has enabled residents to contact family and friends more easily and provided opportunities for more diverse and flexible activities to take place within the homes.
Cllr Jane Tremlett, cabinet member for health and social services, said: “The upgrades to digital connectivity in every council owned residential home and sheltered housing scheme in Carmarthenshire will transform the lives of residents and encourage them to make use of technology.”
Steven Bird, manager of Awel Tywi Care Home, said: “The transformation for both staff and residents has been remarkable. Previously, they were unable to use FaceTime to communicate with and see relatives due to the poor connection. Broadband access was slow and only available in certain rooms.
“Now, connectivity spans the entire building and even extends into the garden! Everyone can simultaneously use the access without constraints, accessing laptops, smartphones, Netflix, WhatsApp, and all the modern digital conveniences we now rely on."
