Local area coordinators making positive impact in communities
This winter Swansea's network of local area coordinators continue to work in all Swansea communities and are able to walk alongside anyone feeling isolated or facing challenges.
Local Area Coordination has been a huge success since it was first initiated by Swansea Council in three wards in the city in 2015.
Since then it has been expanded and now the local area coordinators cover all wards in Swansea.
They work with communities and individuals to support those facing challenges so that their position does not escalate to the point where health or social service intervention is needed.
To find out the local area coordinator in your area visit: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/localareacoordination
Hayley Gwilliam, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Community Support, said: "We were the first council in Wales to trial local area coordination and we have seen it make a real impact for the better by walking alongside people and helping them to identify their strengths and develop their confidence.
"Each week I hear the stories of how they have quite literally changed people's lives.
"They have a wide-ranging brief that includes helping people to develop skills and ideas to avoid crises by finding practical solutions to everyday problems.
"A key part of their role is to look out for people who might be lonely or isolated and help them uncover and use the hidden strengths in their lives and those in the community to prevent the need for intervention from social services or other agencies.
"Our ambition has been that all communities in Swansea benefit from a local area coordinator and I'm delighted that we have now achieved this."