Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has praised the work of Penley's Rainbow Centre during a recent debate on older peoples' care in parliament.

The MP, whose constituency covers the border village, used a general debate to raise the subject in the House of Commons recently.

Ms Jones believes she is privileged to have seen the work the centre, which is off Penley Hall Drive, does for people in the area.

"This is fantastic local charity and if you are not familiar with its work," she said in a newspaper column.

"I’ve had the privilege of visiting the Penley Rainbow Centre on many occasions and I’m really glad to support its work.

"Operating since 1994, the centre is a registered charity aims to improve the health and wellbeing of our local community.

"Services include day opportunities, day care, befriending, peer support groups, volunteering and a range of learning and exercise classes, as well as a new community wellbeing service that provides outreach support to the community.

"People at the centre work with many different groups of people five days a week – including those with dementia, frailty, learning difficulties or physical disability – and they also support families and carers. There are not just outstanding day opportunities.

"Other services include community wellbeing, peer support, lunch and learns, exercise classes, an excellent community garden - with an active gardening group - as well as a choir, art and craft classes, and beauty treatments.

"Active local fundraising has led to the provision of a new minibus, which means that the centre will serve even more people.

"I firmly believe Penley Rainbow Centre is an outstanding project that should be replicated more widely in communities across Wales, the UK, and indeed, the world."

She added: "I recommend you take a look at www.rainbowcentrepenley.org.uk"

Ms Jones added that she thought older peoples' care is an issue that needs more consideration from politicians and society in general so I thought it might make a suitable topic.

She said. "Although in Wales older people’s care is devolved to the National Assembly, I was raising the subject not just because of its relevance in terms of funding settlements, but because I believe that, when it comes to social and economic issues, the nations and regions of the United Kingdom should be keen to learn from one another."

"I paid tribute to the community agents."