Retirement has opened a whole new world of adult learning and community volunteering for Gloria Beynon. A retired teaching assistant she has devoted her life to caring for others, whether that was raising her own children, nurturing her grandchildren or serving as a steady presence within her community.
Rather than seeing age as a limitation, Gloria has embraced it as an opportunity, proving that lifelong learning is not just possible, but transformative.

Now a Community Volunteer Ambassador at Connecting Youth Children and Adults (CYCA) in Llanelli, she uses her experience and newfound skills to empower others by leading a Cooking on a Budget workshop for young mothers, helping them prepare nourishing meals and stretching their budgets further.

During the summer of 2024, Gloria played a key role in the CYCA’s Lles Y Bwyd food poverty project, supporting families in need by helping to prepare 301 meals. “Her warm presence and ability to connect with parents, particularly those with additional learning needs, made her an invaluable part of the initiative,” said Lianna Davies, Gloria’s mentor at CYCA. “She now independently runs weekly cooking sessions – handling the planning, budgeting, shopping and delivery with no staff assistance.”

Her journey with CYCA began when her grandson attended their Flying Start nursery. Eager to engage, she participated in their Conversational Play course, which sparked an interest in learning and community involvement. Encouraged by her rediscovered passion, Gloria embarked on an accredited Agored Cymru Level 1 Resilience course and has gone on to complete six accredited courses including Child Development, Safeguarding, Managing Anxiety and Understanding Stress. “Being a part of CYCA has had an enormous impact on both my life and my grandson’s,” said Gloria. “Personally,
it’s been incredible to get out of the house, connect with other adults and take part in courses that fit around my commitments.

“Learning has reawakened my mind beyond childcare, boosting my confidence and overall wellbeing. Volunteering has introduced me to so many wonderful families and CYCA has given my grandson the confidence to thrive among his peers. It’s a fantastic experience that I would recommend to anybody of any age.”