Janice and Dilwyn Watkins haven’t looked back since they moved into the Council and Codi Group’s modern, extra care housing in Graig – having both suffered falls at their previous home. They now live independently, with access to important support any time they need it.
Extra care has allowed them to move into a new flat together, and the couple enjoy the community atmosphere of their new home, where they’ve recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary!
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.
Dilwyn, 69, was born with cerebral palsy, and Janice, 65, has epilepsy – and until recently they’d been looking after each other in their terraced house in Trehafod, which didn’t suit their needs. In 2024, Dilwyn fell down the stairs and broke his femur, resulting in him needing a wheelchair permanently. His equipment could not pass through the corridor in their house, leaving Dilwyn stuck in the back room, isolated and feeling miserable. Janice also lost her balance on several occasions which resulted in visits to hospital.
While carers did visit regularly, the couple knew they would benefit from a more suitable space to live in, but also wanted to retain their independence. So, with the help of Janice’s niece Bethan, they looked to see if extra care was suitable. In May 2025, having agreed a package of care with the Council and Codi Group (formerly Linc Cymru), Janice and Dilwyn moved into Cwrt yr Orsaf – one of three modern extra care accommodations in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where older people can live independently with 24/7 help available for their needs.
The couple now lives in a flat with a modern kitchen, a bright living area, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a spacious bedroom each. They are just a call away from support offered by the on-site staff at any time of the day – and they can access urgent help by simply pressing a personal alarm button.
Janice and Dilwyn married in October 1985, having first met in Llwynypia in their early 20s. They reunited some time later when working at the Remploy factory in Tonyrefail, fell in love, and moved in together after getting married.
Crucially, extra care has enabled them to remain living with one another after all these years. Dilwyn now has four calls a day to help with personal care and to support him down to the on-site restaurant. Staff have also helped Dilwyn order an electric wheelchair, which will enable him to support himself and move independently. Janice, meanwhile, enjoys frequent trips into Porth Town Centre where she regularly gets her hair done, while the couple looks forward to bingo nights twice a week in the communal lounge. They’ve also made lots of friends with other residents.
Janice and Dilwyn recently enjoyed their ruby wedding anniversary with a special party held on October 26, 2025, in the company of friends and family. And the celebrations did not stop there, as the couple celebrated their first Christmas in their new home back in December, while Dilwyn’s 70th birthday follows later this year.
Councillor Gareth Caple, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, with responsibility for Adult Services, said: “It’s fantastic to hear about Janice and Dilwyn, who are thriving following their move into the Council’s modern housing at Cwrt Yr Orsaf last summer. They now take advantage of the benefits of extra care – having support available around the clock through a care package tailored to them, while living independently in a flat that is their own and caters for their needs. They are also enjoying the building’s amenities, and a sense of community created by residents and staff.
“It is especially gratifying that the couple have been able to move in together – something that you don’t associate with traditional care homes, but is made possible by the arrangements through extra care. Older people’s needs and expectations are changing, which is why the Council continues to significantly invest in modernising the residential care options available locally. We have two other extra care facilities in Talbot Green and Aberaman, and a fourth is currently being constructed in Porth – which is on course to open in 2026.
“The Council is also planning to build several more residential care sites, with commitments in place for local schemes in Mountain Ash, Gelli, Ferndale and Church Village, which will offer a range of care, targeted to meet local needs.
“I’d like to wish Janice and Dilwyn the very best for their future at Cwrt Yr Orsaf. Congratulations on two important milestones – your ruby wedding anniversary celebrated in October, and Dilwyn’s 70th birthday in 2026! I’d also like to thank staff at Cwrt Yr Orsaf for their commitment in helping people like Janice and Dilwyn. Your dedication not only ensures residents get the care they need, but also helps them live independently – it is really appreciated.”
Gary Hortop, Head of Later Living at Codi Group, added: “Janice and Dilwyn’s journey highlights wonderfully the life‑changing impact an extra care scheme can have. When we first met them, Dilwyn struggled to access parts of their former home, and it was clear how distressing that was for him. Now, he can move freely around his flat and enjoy all the communal spaces and social opportunities within the scheme. Watching them both grow in confidence and truly flourish has been an absolute pleasure.”
Posted on 02/03/2026