Practical help and support are now on hand thanks to a Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund grant award! Communities in the Fund’s area of benefit (the upper reaches of the Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys) now have a dedicated Supporting Communities Team, providing development support to Fund applicants and grant recipients for the next 5 years.
Neath Port Talbot CVS and Interlink (the County Voluntary Councils for Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf) are employing skilled staff to work alongside Community Fund staff and in partnership with local leaders and communities to ensure that the Fund brings about positive and long-lasting changes. The Supporting Communities Team will provide hands-on support and introductions to further specialist services when needed. The Team will also bring groups together across traditional boundaries, identifying and promoting opportunities to plan and work together. Building on local strengths and assets, communities will be supported to develop and deliver projects, programmes and enterprises that address local issues – sharing skills, knowledge and experiences.
The Community Fund will be in place for at least the next 20 years, and its plans are ambitious. Over that period, it’s hoped that the Fund will make a real contribution to making the area a dynamic, exciting, vibrant place to live and work. The additional support now offered by Neath Port Talbot CVS and Interlink will help to deliver this aim.
Joanna Markham of Interlink is part of the new Supporting Communities Team and is excited about the project: “Supported by the Community Fund, we are looking forward to working with the many community leaders, groups and organisations who inspire us with their energy, commitment and ideas. This is a great opportunity to make a really positive impact in the Fund area.”
Gaynor Richards, Director of Neath Port Talbot CVS said “we are looking forward to working in partnership with Interlink RCT to deliver the project in both counties across the fund area. This presents an opportunity for local groups and organisations to access much needed support. We are grateful to Pen y Cymoedd for making this funding available to enable this project to happen”.
Marc Phillips, Chair of Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund CIC welcomes the new Team: “we are delighted to be able to support our CVC teams to provide this much-needed service. With their support, we’ll be able to offer real help to both applicants and those working to deliver funded projects – ensuring that skills and capacity are developed for the long-term. Communities in the Fund’s area already have many strengths and assets – the new Team will help bring great ideas to life.”
If you or your organisation or business has a project in mind, small or large, the Community Fund welcomes enquiries. Find out about our Micro and Vision Fund grant programmes on our website – www.penycymoeddcic.cymru – or give Barbara or Kate a call on 01685 878785. We look forward to hearing from you!