This month, a community-led project for people with learning disabilities in Tenby and Saundersfoot will come to an end.

My Community Tenby and Saundersfoot, launched in September 2022 with Mencap, aims to make the area a better place to live for people with a learning disability. Community-led, the direction of the project has been steered by local people with learning disabilities.

Over £30,000 of seed funding has been invested, bringing about the first inclusive Blue Horizons CIC Surf Club and a PMLD (profound and multiple learning disabilities) drumming group with a local music therapist.

Accessible play equipment was funded for SEN children at Tenby Church in Wales Primary School, and IT equipment purchased to support ASD Family Help - Pembrokeshire to provide parents with access benefits. Days out for children with additional needs were enabled through Out ‘n’ About Pembrokeshire.

The project set up the Saundersfoot Social coffee morning, which is now run by a group of dedicated volunteers, and worked with Active disability - Pembrokeshire to re-instate private swimming pool sessions in Tenby Leisure Centre for people with a learning disability, continuing to fund them when their funding ran out.

Two people with additional needs were hired, and they helped to increase the visibility of learning disabilities in the area, sharing their lived experience. Bethan Rebecca McCarthy’s ‘Beth’s Reviews’ highlighted the need for a more accessible hospitality offering and Aaron’s videos and posters helped push the word out to more people.

My Community Tenby and Saundersfoot worked closely with The Tenby Project from the beginning, funding their inclusive Gaming Club and Sensory Tent, learning much from them and their long-standing connection with the local area.

In June 2024, Mencap funded the My Community project to continue the work, supporting Community Partner Joey to remain in post for another year.

Since then, the project has completed assessments on over 60 businesses in the local area on their accessibility to people with a learning disability. As a result, advice has been offered and ramps and doorbells delivered to make buildings more accessible as part of a ‘Ring for Ramp’ campaign.

Joey has continued to support previously funded groups, applying for more funding. Swimming pool sessions will continue to be funded through 2026.

In this final month (June 2025), the project is making easy-read menus for some local businesses, and calling for Tenby Harbour to feature a Communication Board on their railings.

Joey Ayris, Community Partner for the project, said: “We are so grateful for the passion, kindness and motivation of local people around this work. It has been a huge privilege to meet and work with so many amazing people, including those with a learning disability who so generously give their time and share their stories with us.”

The project’s Carers WhatsApp Group now has over 70 local carers and professionals, sharing what’s on locally for people with additional needs and carers. This will continue, as it is now self regulated by its users. To join, WhatsApp Joey on 07940 535385.