Partneriaeth Ogwen, a social enterprise in Bethesda, Gwynedd, will benefit from more than £200,000 from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities programme to help transform a former school into a centre for the community.
First Minister Mark Drakeford met the organisation yesterday [Wednesday July 28] to learn more about its projects in the town and the plans for the former Ysgol Cefnfaes, which the organisation wants to turn into a centre for innovation and sustainability.
The centre will become an asset for the community and bring together some of the exciting projects in the area, including the Carneddau Landscape project, ensuring the building continues to be used.
The aim is to house a training and skills room, and have nine units available to let to small businesses. It will also become home to a repair café, community kitchen and bunkhouse.
The First Minister heard about the work the partnership has being carrying out during the pandemic, including delivering food and supporting small local businesses.
He said:
“It has been a pleasure to visit Partneriaeth Ogwen today, which is an excellent example of what a community can achieve when they pull together. I’m pleased we have also been able to support the partnership through our Community Facilities Programme. I look forward to seeing how the plans for the former school develop.
“I’d like to thank them and all their volunteers for the support they have been providing to vulnerable members of the community during the pandemic.”
Chief Officer of Partneriaeth Ogwen Meleri Davies said:
“It was a pleasure to show the First Minister some of our community regeneration projects and introduce him to our hard working team of staff and partners. It’s great to get the support and recognition needed for the community and social enterprise sector and we’re grateful to Mark Drakeford for his time and interest in our work.”
