Learning disabilities garden furniture centre set to reopen

Denbighshire’s cabinet has unanimously agreed to reopen a not-for-profit garden furniture manufacturing service employing people with learning disabilities.

The future of Meifod Wood in Denbigh was debated by councillors following it closing during the pandemic and a council review of its services.

The centre first opened 50 years ago and provides ‘real life’ working opportunities for people supported by the council’s learning disability service.

Meifod also offers employment, training and a sense of self worth to those employed at the centre and will reopen as soon as maintenance work is completed. The centre on Rhyl Road has remained closed since March 2020.

Councillors heard how additional investment will improve the centre once feedback from service users and a council task and finish group is gathered. New plans for the centre will see service users offered more training and a wider range of skills, including timber work.

Family members of service users will also form a stakeholder group, ensuring people are fully engaged in the centre’s reopening.

Head of community support services Phil Gilroy commented: “This is a really good opportunity to provide a much bigger service at Meifod and provide for a lot more people than it currently does provide for with a different range of activities, so I think it is really positive.”

Cllr Bobby Feeley is the council’s lead member for well-being and independence and said she hoped the centre would reopen soon.

“I wish it could reopen before Christmas, and I know everybody is working as hard as they possibly can to get it open absolutely as soon as we can,” she said.

“I don’t think we can promise a date at the moment, but it will be absolutely as soon as possible.”