The Welsh Government has announced an investment of £3.1 million to strengthen Welsh-speaking communities across Wales.
The investment includes £2.7 million to upgrade the Urdd’s residential centres at Pentre Ifan, Llangrannog and Glan-llyn, alongside £400,000 through the Perthyn grant scheme to help communities establish social enterprises and community-led housing projects.
The investment aims to strengthen community facilities, support local economies and create more opportunities to use Welsh socially.
The funding will enable the Urdd to develop new accommodation and an extended kitchen at Pentre Ifan, increasing the centre’s capacity and allowing more children and young people to enjoy the unique experience available there. This will result in the creation of five new jobs in the area, providing a boost to the local economy.
Further investments at Glan-llyn and Llangrannog will improve the quality of accommodation and fund a new indoor Ten-Pin Bowling Centre at Glan-llyn. Together, these developments will enrich the experience of thousands of visitors every year and strengthen the Urdd’s ability to serve local communities throughout the year.
Urdd Chief Executive, Siân Lewis, said: “Over the decades, our residential centres have been places where children and young people build confidence, make friends and experience Welsh as a living language beyond the classroom, as we work together towards a million Welsh speakers and create more opportunities to use the language.
“I would like to thank the Welsh Government for helping to secure the future of Urdd centres as inclusive, safe and progressive spaces for generations to come, while also supporting employment opportunities and economic activity within the community.”
The £400,000 of Perthyn funding will support community groups to develop social enterprises with Welsh at their heart, including community-led housing projects. A new element of this year’s investment is £100,000 to help groups address building and repair work to improve and safeguard local buildings and assets.
One project that has received support through Perthyn is Canolfan Bethlehem in Newport, Pembrokeshire.
One of Canolfan Bethlehem’s Directors, John Francis, said: “The Perthyn grant was instrumental in helping us breathe new life into the former Capel Bethlehem and gave us the confidence that we could realise our vision. We succeeded in transforming an empty building into a vibrant heritage, cultural and arts centre for the community. The centre now hosts exhibitions, talks, performances and cultural events, and has become a welcoming place where local people and visitors can come together to celebrate our language, heritage and local area.”
Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, said: “This investment is about creating opportunities to use Welsh in everyday life and supporting our communities to thrive.
“Whether it is creating jobs, supporting young people to use Welsh, or helping communities develop local facilities, we are investing in places that strengthen community life and support the future of our language.”
