The closure of a long-established council-run employment scheme would be a devastating blow for disabled workers in Rhyl, says UNISON today (Thursday).
Denbighshire County Council’s scrutiny committee is meeting today to discuss the future of Cefndy Healthcare in Rhyl.
Founded in 1976, Cefndy makes healthcare products such as shower seats, commodes and perching stools. It’s a commercial operation and creates meaningful and well-paid jobs for disabled people, says UNISON, employing around 30 staff, most of whom have disabilities.
The union says closing Cefndy would destroy skilled jobs and rip away a vital source of community pride. UNISON is urging the council to consider alternative actions, such as consolidating Cefndy with other council-run schemes and looking at ways to grow the business.
The council should not make a final decision until all viable options have been properly considered, the union says. The council’s cabinet is due to meet on 18 November to decide Cefndy’s fate.
Cefndy worker for over 30 years Michelle Davies said: “Cefndy was established almost 50 years ago to support people with disabilities and has done a lot of good in the community.
“People like working here because they know they can get help as well.”
Former general manager of Cefndy Bill Whittaker MBE said: “Cefndy is more than a workplace, it’s a community where individuals feel valued and appreciated.
“The approach has always been to treat each individual with dignity and respect, regardless of their abilities. Rhyl is an economically disadvantaged area with high unemployment rates and the closure of Cefndy would disproportionately hit the most vulnerable members of the community.”
UNISON Denbighshire branch secretary David Morgan said: “Cefndy Healthcare provides both manufacturing expertise and a huge benefit to the local area. It also offers meaningful, stable and safe employment for disabled workers.
“The council needs to look properly at all the alternatives available. It must put off any closure decision until it’s spoken to everyone involved with Cefndy about how to best move forward.”
Notes to editors:
– Cefndy Healthcare is run by Denbighshire County Council. It makes healthcare and mobility products for public sector and commercial clients.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contact:
Jim Poulter M: 07904 342511 E: j.poulter@unison.co.uk
Dydd Iau, 6 Tachwedd 2025.
I’w ryddhau ar unwaith
Byddai cau Gofal Iechyd Cefndy yn ergyd andwyol i bobl anabl yn y Rhyl, meddai UNISON
Byddai cau cynllun cyflogaeth hirsefydlog sy’n cael ei redeg gan y cyngor yn ergyd andwyol i weithwyr anabl yn y Rhyl, meddai UNISON heddiw (Dydd Iau).
Mae pwyllgor craffu Cyngor Sir Dinbych yn cyfarfod heddiw i drafod dyfodol Gofal Iechyd Cefndy yn y Rhyl.
Wedi’i sefydlu ym 1976, mae Cefndy yn gwneud cynhyrchion gofal iechyd fel seddi cawod, toiledau a stolion. Mae’n fusnes masnachol ac mae’n creu swyddi ystyrlon â chyflog da i bobl anabl, meddai UNISON, gan gyflogi tua 30 o staff, y mae gan y rhan fwyaf ohonynt anableddau.
Dywed yr undeb y byddai cau Cefndy yn dileu swyddi medrus ac yn rhwygo ymaith ffynhonnell hanfodol o falchder cymunedol. Mae UNISON yn annog y cyngor i ystyried camau gweithredu eraill, fel cyfuno Cefndy â chynlluniau eraill sy’n cael eu rhedeg gan y cyngor ac ystyried ffyrdd o dyfu’r busnes.
Ni ddylai’r cyngor wneud penderfyniad terfynol nes bod pob opsiwn posibl wedi’i ystyried yn iawn, meddai’r undeb. Mae disgwyl i gabinet y cyngor gyfarfod ar 18fed Tachwedd i benderfynu tynged Cefndy.
Meddai un o weithiwr Cefndy ers dros 30 mlynedd, Michelle Davies: “Sefydlwyd Cefndy bron i 50 mlynedd yn ôl i gefnogi pobl ag anableddau, ac mae wedi gwneud llawer o ddaioni yn y gymuned.
“Mae pobl yn hoffi gweithio yma oherwydd eu bod nhw’n gwybod y gallant gael help hefyd.”
Meddai cyn-reolwr cyffredinol Cefndy, Bill Whittaker MBE: “Mae Cefndy yn fwy na gweithle, mae’n gymuned lle mae unigolion yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi.
“Ein hymagwedd bob amser fu trin pob unigolyn ag urddas a pharch, waeth beth fo’u galluoedd. Mae’r Rhyl yn ardal dan anfantais economaidd gyda chyfraddau diweithdra uchel, a byddai cau Cefndy yn taro aelodau mwyaf bregus y gymuned yn anghymesur.”
Meddai ysgrifennydd cangen UNISON Sir Ddinbych, David Morgan: “Mae Gofal Iechyd Cefndy yn darparu arbenigedd gweithgynhyrchu sy’n dwyn budd enfawr i’r ardal leol. Mae hefyd yn cynnig cyflogaeth ystyrlon, sefydlog a diogel i weithwyr anabl.
“Mae angen i’r cyngor edrych yn ofalus ar yr holl ddewisiadau amgen sydd ar gael. Rhaid iddynt ohirio unrhyw benderfyniad ynghylch cau nes y byddant wedi trafod â phawb sy’n ymwneud â Chefndy ynglŷn â’r ffordd orau o symud ymlaen.”
Nodiadau ar gyfer golygyddion:
– Cyngor Sir Dinbych sy’n rhedeg Gofal Iechyd Cefndy. Mae’n gwneud cynhyrchion gofal iechyd a symudedd ar gyfer cleientiaid yn y sector cyhoeddus a masnachol.
– UNISON yw undeb mwyaf y DU, gyda mwy nag 1.3 miliwn o aelodau yn darparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus mewn addysg, llywodraeth leol, y GIG, yr heddlu ac ynni. Maent yn cael eu cyflogi yn y sectorau cyhoeddus, gwirfoddol a phreifat.
Cyswllt ar gyfer y cyfryngau:
Jim Poulter – ffôn symudol: 07904 342511 e-bost: j.poulter@unison.co.uk