What have they been doing?
Canolfan Pentre is a vibrant, growing community centre, providing essential services for the community of Pentre based in the Rhondda. They work in partnership with other Third Sector providers, offering clubs, learning opportunities, parent and toddler group, afterschool clubs and a chance to get out and get involved, they also support the food bank and any other organisation that needs practical support. Their main source of income is generated through the hard work and determination of its volunteer army. The centre has a varied programme with special events planned throughout the year.
Pen y Cymoedd funded them with a Vision Fund grant of just over £80,000 to support the building of a multi-use games area. Not content with taking over the centre and becoming a true community hub, they decided to take over the abandoned pool in the park behind the centre and turn into a games area for children and young people to enjoy.
Why are they amazing?
During COVID crisis they have received a £6,000 grant from Pen y Cymoedd to deliver care packs to isolated community members and craft packs to young people. The small funding we gave them has been used creatively to deliver maximum impact and they are working with Councillors and organisations in Ferndale, Treherbert and others. COVID means they have stopped normal activities but are busier than ever making connections and supporting people through this crisis.
Then of course there is their incredible response to support families and households during the flooding in Pentre, they opened their doors to do all they could to support the community, helping with clean up, offering out free cleaning supplies, feeding local volunteers and council workers and being a shoulder to cry on.
They are very organised, have an incredibly strong support system of volunteers and work collaboratively with local authority, other third sector groups, funders and support agencies. They are responsive, creative and incredibly committed to supporting their community. As a funder we are proud to have been able to support them with Vision and COVID funding and we wish them all the best through next stages of COVID recovery and hopefully into a more settled time.