A care home worker who is also a familiar face on TV has helped bring residents and children together for a new feel-good series.<\/p>\n
Creative practitioner Emyr Gibson swapped his day job at Pendine Park\u2019s Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon for the spotlight while filming S4C\u2019s Help Llaw (Helping Hand).<\/p>\n
Multi-talented Emyr, who found fame as part of the cast of the popular S4C Welsh language series Rownd a Rownd and is also a radio DJ and singer, played a key role as residents joined the cast during filming.<\/p>\n
He starred alongside 10-year-old Chloe Milloy and former Twin Town actor Llyr Evans, who plays a hapless handyman called Harri, helping to create a hilarious episode of the hit show.<\/p>\n
Chloe, from Bryngwran, on Anglesey,\u00a0 is one of only 20 people worldwide with a rare\u00a0 condition known as deletion on long arm chromosome 14 that affects her growth, feeding, breathing and heart<\/p>\n
The programme will be the first in the new series which starts on Monday (April 20) on S4C\u2019s Cyw platform.<\/p>\n
According to Emyr, the experience brought \u201ctwo worlds together\u201d, combining his passion for performing with his daily work supporting people living with dementia.<\/p>\n
There were cameo roles for Bryn Seiont residents as part of a sing-along and a fictional protest demanding a cup of tea after a dishwasher broke down.<\/p>\n
Emyr said: \u201cMy first love is acting and I adore my job in Bryn Seiont so I\u2019ve had the best of both worlds today.<\/p>\n
\u201cMusic and singing makes such a huge difference to people \u2013 the power of music is just incredible.<\/p>\n
\u201cHelp Llaw is a very special programme and Chloe has been absolutely fantastic \u2013 she\u2019s a real star. Llyr has been brilliant with her \u2013 they had a lot of fun and he kept making her laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
The series features youngsters from across Wales who have additional learning needs and disabilities and uses Makaton sign language.<\/p>\n
Chloe’s mum Kayleigh said: “It was a brilliant day and Chloe loved it. She hasn’t stopped talking about it and is looking forward to seeing herself on television.”<\/p>\n
According to Llyr, who hails from Ruthin and lives in Felinheli, making\u00a0 Help Llaw was a \u201cvery humbling process\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI\u2019ve had to learn Makaton and some new skills working with children with different special needs every day. It\u2019s very enriching for me personally.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a father myself and it makes you understand how lucky\u00a0 you have been because these children have to deal with so many challenges but they don\u2019t know anything different and it\u2019s exceptionally rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re at Bryn Seiont today which cares for people with dementia and my own mother has Alzheimer\u2019s and is in a care home in Ruthin and it make you realise how much not only older people but also children benefit from music and singing.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the show relies on improvisation and I absolutely love that because that\u2019s what creates the magic.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have some real pearls coming from the children \u2013 they are the stars of the show which has been incredibly well received.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chloe,\u00a0 a pupil at Ysgol y Bont in Llangefni, and her twin sister, Scarlett,\u00a0 were born at 31 weeks by emergency C-section at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan.<\/p>\n
Mum Kayleigh added: \u201cDespite everything that’s been thrown at her Chloe’s full of fun, always laughing and very happy-go-lucky. She’s a very bright and determined little girl who has come a long way in her development. The bond with her sister is unbelievable.<\/p>\n
“She has become verbal recently and is starting to walk unaided. She has hearing loss but hates using the hearing aids and has learnt Makaton and loves singing and dancing and she plays the piano as well.”<\/p>\n
The show was devised by pioneering television producer Nia Ceidiog, who comes originally from Wrexham and now lives in Cardiff.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s the creative mind behind many children\u2019s TV programmes including the BAFTA Cymru winning Dwylo\u2019r Enfys.<\/p>\n
Nia said: \u201cWe\u2019re very grateful to Pendine Park for allowing us to film at Bryn Seiont Newydd.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe residents and the staff really entered into the spirit of things and it was a stroke of luck as well that Emyr also works there and was able to be part of this episode.\u201d<\/p>\n
The director was Non Haf, from Llandyrnog, near Denbigh who also plays a character called Harriet in the show.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThe unexpected, unscripted moments are what makes this series so fresh and charming. They are the magic moments you can\u2019t script beforehand.<\/p>\n
\u201cLlyr as Harri is just amazing because the children warm to him and respond brilliantly. The principle of helping people is the most important theme that underpins the programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause Llyr is so wonderful with them, the children really have a great time and just enjoy it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething clicks and children like Choe relax and then you can get the best out of them. These children make miracles happen every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you see these children smiling and happy, it just means everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
The programme featuring Chloe is the first the new series of Help Llaw, starting on Monday, April 20, on S4C\u2019s Cyw platform. It can also be viewed on S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms.<\/strong><\/p>\n