UK Community Renewal Fund
On 3 November 2021 the UK Government announced the following submissions had succeeded in their application for support form the UK Community Renewal Fund.
The deadline for the completion of projects funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund has been extended to 31 December 2022.
- Allocation of £45,000
- Project by Cwmni Nod Glas Cyf. to support the realisation of an ambitious programme to improve local circular trails maximising the employment, experience, upskilling and environmental benefits to local communities.
- Latest- With the project set to be completed by spring 2023, seven out of the eight paths are in the final stages of completion and vary in distance, ranging from 1.5 miles to 12 miles. By enhancing pre-existing, fragmented routes to make them more accessible and ensure they accommodate all walking abilities, from those with a disability, to pram users, to hikers visiting the area on walking holidays.
Promotional materials, such as leaflets and signage featuring QR codes for walkers to scan and learn more about the heritage and wildlife in the area have been created.
Where is was not possible for the landowners to undertake the work on their own land, a local contractor was sourced to carry out the work, meaning that the funds for the project stayed in the Mawddwy economy.
The walking routes were officially launched on 6 December 2022 by international car rally driver Elfyn Evans, who grew up in the area.
- Allocation of £589,203
- Project by Adra (Tai) Cyfyngedig to encourage and support energy conservation and the adoption of net zero technologies in local communities through advocacy, demonstrators, skills development and research.
- Latest- Development of net zero hub in Penygroes underway. 9 energy conservation champions recruited and trained to date. 40 local businesses supported to gain the skills required to retrofit carbon neutral technology to existing local housing stock.
- For more information go to: Zero Net Partnership Gwynedd
- Case study - The Net Zero Gwynedd project by Adra (Tai) Cyfyngedig encourages and supports energy conservation and the adoption of net zero technologies in local communities through advocacy, demonstrators, skills development and research.
One Group that has received support through the project is Porthi Dre Community Centre, Caernarfon. Having received an EPC assessment on the Community building (rating of D)
It has also had a roof assessment to determine condition of the existing roof internally and externally. The building has been identified by the project to receive an investment of £16,080 which will go towards installing solar panels. The work will begin early in the new year, this community hub has also invested in a commercial kitchen which enables them to provide up to 150 meals every day. The panels are going to contribute significantly in reducing the running costs of the kitchen.
The installation of solar panels will increase the EPC rating of the community centre and will showcase how investment in clean technologies and new solutions can contribute towards decarbonisation solutions.
- Contact: gwen.thomas@adra.co.uk
- Allocation of £380.000
- Project by GISDA to trial various interventions and support with vulnerable young people with the aim of preparing for a long-term multi-agency plan to work holistically with them.
- Latest- The pilot project has been a unique and worthwhile opportunity for GISDA to demonstrate and experience the importance of the role of a key worker in working around and with vulnerable young people. We already know how difficult it is for young people to find their way around services – by receiving a key worker we can ensure that they receive a timely service that is holistic and tailored around all their needs A key part of the project is evaluations, monitoring and research to test and demonstrate that it is a successful model of working.
- For more information go to: TAPI — Gisda Ltd
- Case study - The project has provided wellbeing and creative activities, employability skills, Development workshops, support with volunteering, training workshops and accrediations to various youg people within Gwynedd. An example of one who have received support is GC*, who is 19 years old, has lived in the hostel and was studying in college. Following the support received from LGBTQ+ Club, employability support, housing support, the Young people’s board, mental health team and attending a number of activities. GC* is now studying in Salford university and has moved into student accommodation.
*GC – identity protected
- Contact: sian@gisda.co.uk
- Allocation of £454,121
- Project by Gwynedd Council to empower local communities through area regeneration plans and build areas’ capacity to shape their future via training and practical support.
- Latest- Initial assessment of local communities needs completed and comprehensive community consultation underway (see Our Area 2035 (llyw.cymru)). Funding has been allocated to 7 groups to receive training to build community capacity, 15 groups/initiatives to support the development of ideas, 6 new initiatives have been supported together with 13 existing community initiatives to develop and become sustainable.
- For more information go to: Community Support
- Case study - Criccieth Town Councilworked with the Business Forum to commission a feasibility study to seek the opinion of businesses, enterprises, groups, and community members, on how they would like to improve the number of visitors on the high street and encourage local entrepreneurship.
Ideas include:
• Creating a "virtual supermarket" in Criccieth where there are posters in every shop showing where different goods are available in the town. Shopkeepers refer customers to other shops in the town for goods they don’t have.
• Create an artisan Open Air Market in the town and improve the quality of the stalls on the annual Fair Days in May and June.
• Business collaboration to identify and enhance existing supply services with additional products on the high street – and consider the potential for pop up shops in an empty shop space – or part of a cafe/other space.
• Loyalty Card Scheme.
• High Street App Project for all businesses in town that includes where to buy, options for home delivery or click and collect.
The feasibility study have identified the costs and resources needed to operate the preferred ideas.
- Contact: adfywio@gwynedd.llyw.cymru
- Allocation of £154,895
- Project by Citizens Online to support adults with the essential digital skills for life focusing on supporting people with employment related digital skills, especially older people that have been made redundant during the pandemic.
- Latest- Local co-ordinator and 2 digital champions recruited. 160 already supported to gain digital skills. 12 group sessions have been held around Gwynedd and 9 Volunteer Digital Champions trained.
- For more information go to Digital Gwynedd
- Case study - From volunteer to employee – Richard champions Digital Gwynedd project
In his late 20s. Born in the Philippines but has been in the UK since he was one-year old. Richard initially visited the Digital Gwynedd team in Dolgellau, before becoming a digital champion for the programme on a voluntary basis, which he can now add add to his CV.
Before one of the full-time Digital Gwynedd digital champions left, the Digital Gwynedd team encouraged Richard to apply for the position. He was offered the job after being unemployed for a couple of years and is now a permanent member of the team.
Like pretty much everyone up and down the country, he had a difficult time during covid and the lockdowns. But has gained confidence and is eager to help and support people set up email addresses and Zoom accounts in order to contact friends, family and to stay connected with the world.
- Contact: llion.elis@citizenonline.org.uk
- Allocation of £502,373
- Project by Urdd Gobaith Cymru at the Glan-llyn Centre to promote skills and experience in the outdoor sector. This will be achieved by training more outdoor activity practitioners through the medium of Welsh in response to the skills gap in the sector.
- Latest- 10 trainees have been recruited and a programme of intensive training has been prepared, which will give them formal experiences, skills and qualifications in the outdoor field, so that they are competent to lead groups in activities. A conference is being organised to raise awareness of opportunities and careers within the Welsh-medium outdoor activities sector, and will be held at the end of the summer.
- For more information about yr Urdd and Glan-Llyn go to Urdd/Glan-llyn
- Case study - The project by Urdd Gobaith Cymru at the Glan-llyn Centre promotes skills and experience in the outdoor sector. They train practitioners to gain skills and experience in the outdoor sector through the medium of Welsh in response to the skills gap of Welsh speakers within the sector. From a senior role at a North Wales college to the challenges of the great outdoors, Hannah Wright took the plunge with a training and experience programme at Glan-llyn, which resulted in a recognised qualification within the industry. Hannah Wright 32-year-old from Wrexham now feels more confident and havingdeveloped her personal skills, Hannah is now able to lead activities for children andyoung people in the camp. She has also benefited from new experiences inmountaineering, climbing, and paddling, as well as achieving new qualifications,including pool attendant, mountain leader training, archery, and first aid. Hannah is now looking at a clear career path with the opportunity to develop into aleader or a manager, to organise courses, especially on a bilingual level.
- Contact: huwantur@urdd.org
- Allocation of £45,000
- Project by Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau to extend the provision of the annual festival beyond one weekend a year and across Meirionnydd by undertaking a feasibility study with the intention of developing skills in the arts and entertainment facilities in the area.
- Latest- A Feasibility study to investigate the future possibilities and examine different ways to promote, expand the event, has been completed. In addition, the study identified ways to meet ticket demand by potentially holding the festival across a series of weekends as well as creating more space at its venues, with Sesiwn Fawr currently held across 13 businesses in the town annually. The Study also looked at the possibility of improving the festival’s marketing materials, as well as diversifying transport and ticketing. It is hoped that the recommendations of the study will be implemented for the 2023 event in July.
- For more information go to: Sesiwn Fawr
- Contact: swyddogdatblygu@sesiwnfawr.cymru
- Allocation of £105,000
- Project by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board to assess the feasibility of developing a Smart Local Energy System in the area and recommend an appropriate approach to implementation.
- Latest - Completed, a study to assess the feasibility and a business case for developing Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES) within Gwynedd and recommended an appropriate approach to implementation.
The study has identified three areas within Gwynedd that have the potential to implement SLES, which matches electricity production with local usage, making communities less reliant on a district grid system.
Tanygrisiau, a village in Ffestiniog, has been put forward to potentially utilise SLES via three local hydropower stations, strengthening pre-existing plans to futureproof the area’s access to energy.
The feasibility study has also accelerated plans to decentralise energy generation for an existing decarbonisation hub in Penygroes, which is used for training in installing and maintaining equipment to decarbonise homes.
In addition, a new concept plan has been identified during the study to electrify heating systems in community buildings, such as schools and leisure centres in Caernarfon, with potential scope to replicate the scheme in Porthmadog, Pwllheli, and Tywyn.
The opportunities for SLES and zero carbon heating will mean communities will be less reliant on expensive grid infrastructure improvements which are often required in constrained in rural areas. This leads to an array of local benefits, such as investments in new jobs for the supply, installation and maintenance of these new systems as well as reducing energy costs for the community.
- For more information go to: Smart Local Energy Systems – Feasibility Study | EA Technology
- Contact: elgansionroberts@buegogleddcymru.co.uk
- For further information on the fund contact CronfaAdfywioCymunedol@gwynedd.llyw.cymru