Funding awarded to help bring south Wales communities together

Eight community projects across Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Caerphilly have been successful in acquiring funding to help reduce inequality and bring communities together.

The Community Cohesion Grants, funded by Welsh Government, are designed to support initiatives that promote understanding and respect between different groups of people and create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to unite.

One of the projects to receive £2000 is Willowtown Community Primary School which plans to create an allotment to offer further education and training opportunities.

The money will be spent on helping support the schools Willows Wonderful Big Bocs Bwyd initiative along with hosting cooking workshops for parents / carers to encourage healthy eating at home.

Family Engagement and Learning Officer, Rebecca Hughes from Willowtown Community Primary School said:

“We are incredibly excited to receive support for our Willows Wonderful Big Bocs Bwyd project. The funding will allow our school to build our own allotment along with promoting and supporting families and wider school communities to live a healthy lifestyle.

Other projects that have received funded across the region include:

• ACT Schools – to foster meaningful connections and interactions between pupils and elderly members of the community.
• Amgueddfa Torfaen Museum – plans to work with Gypsy Traveller pupils at West Monmouth School to create an Inside Outside exhibition.
• Cole Court – to create a luncheon club for those who may feel isolated and facing financial vulnerability.
• Dementia Café – inclusive sessions for residents, carers and families who are touched by Dementia.
• Friends of Morgan Jones Park – to facilitate volunteering opportunities for those who have low mobility.
• St Martin’s School – a whole school approach to engage the community at the local church through various events.
• Valley Daffodils – an inclusive weekly session for all who have disability and/or additional learning needs.

Christopher Hunt, who heads up the Regional Community Cohesion Team covering the West Gwent region, said: “We are delighted to share details of all the wonderful projects that have been successful.

“It has been another exceptional year of entrants, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those community groups who submitted a project bid.”