We’re delighted to tell the story of Steven Painter, who’s living life to the full as a resident at Maesyffynnon extra care in Aberaman, where he’s being helped to live independently each day by a dedicated team from leading care provider, Radis Community Care.
This includes 24/7, on-site commissioned care that also responds to urgent situations. Since moving in, Steven has become much fitter, healthier and more sociable, thanks to the confidence he’s gained from living in the extra care environment.
Our ‘Transforming RCT’ campaign has recently launched, not only to highlight the huge investment in key Council services across the County Borough, but also to meet some of the people who are benefitting each and every day.
Steven, 56, was one of the first people to move into Maesyffynnon extra care in 2021, soon after it opened thanks to a major investment by the Council and its partner the Codi group (previously called Linc Cymru). The site in Aberaman became Rhondda Cynon Taf’s second modern extra care scheme after Ty Heulog in Talbot Green. Since then, a third scheme in Graig has been delivered, while a fourth is being built in Porth, to open in 2026. Find out more about our ongoing investment in extra care.
With support from Radis Community Care staff, who are commissioned to provide assessed care and support to Maesyffynnon’s residents, Steven is thriving in his everyday life. He has his own flat that he can decorate how he wishes, and enjoys the building’s modern, vibrant spaces – including a dining room, café, hair salon, therapy room, communal lounge, outdoor terrace area and an activity room. Steven loves playing pool, doing puzzles, listening to music, and socialising with the accommodation’s other residents.
Steven benefits from the support of the Radis staff who go above and beyond to help – and while Steven needs support with some everyday activities, he is also managing to live independently. Last summer, Steven even enjoyed his first holiday on a cruise, having received support from staff to book the adventure and to arrange his passport, a staff member from Radis then accompanied him on the trip.
Steven is working hard to lose weight and receives assistance from staff as a result. The Radis Community Care staff also accommodate a visit from a personal trainer twice a week, to help Steven with his regular fitness and exercises. He’s making superb progress, having lost a staggering six stone in the past year alone! Steven is now able to stand and walk short distances completely unaided, and Radis staff even had to help him buy some smaller clothes!
Maesyffynnon feels like home for Steven. He’s a popular member of the busy and welcoming community within the building, and can often be heard singing along as he listens to music through his portable CD player and earphones.
Councillor Gareth Caple, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, with responsibility for Adult Services, said: “Seeing Steven thrive in one of our extra care schemes is exactly what our prolonged investment in care accommodation for older people intends to do. Our new extra care schemes provide modern housing in stimulating environments that create a real sense of community, while also offering around-the-clock support for people’s needs, to enable them to live independently for as long as possible.
“Steven’s story is so heart-warming – from his renewed confidence to his weight-loss journey and his recent holiday adventures. Thank you to the Radis Community Care staff who work so hard every day to support residents with their assessed needs, providing not only first-class care but also friendship.
“Our existing extra care scheme in Talbot Green, Aberaman and Graig are very popular hubs within their communities, and we’re also building a fourth site in Porth which is due for completion by this spring. This is in addition to future planned residential care schemes in Mountain Ash, Gelli, Ferndale and Church Village, which will offer a range of care targeted to meet local needs.”
Melanie Walters, Service Manager at Radis Community Care, said: “Steven has transformed over the last few years whilst living at Maesyffynnon, from someone who was often lethargic and disengaged, into a confident and independent individual who is loving life! The Radis Team supported Steven with booking and planning his first cruise, which he enjoyed last summer, and we look forward to helping him plan more trips in the future.
“Steven’s confidence has been boosted further after we’ve helped update his wardrobe following his recent weight loss. His positivity is contagious, he’s often singing at the top of his voice, and everyone’s singing along with him!
“We’re so proud of Steven – he’s really got a massive piece of my heart.”
Posted on 11/02/2026