An event was held recently in Dufftyn community centre where residents were able to find out more about 16 initiatives from the organisations that will be delivering them.
Councillor Jason Hughes, cabinet member for communities, said: “We asked residents what services and opportunities they wanted to see in their neighbourhood. It was also important that new activities did not duplicate what was already available.
“Applications were carefully assessed against those priorities. I think the 16 projects that have been chosen will bring some new and exciting opportunities for Duffryn residents of all ages.”
Initiatives include:
The Fedline Project – a cooking school providing sessions for children, families, groups and adults. Each session will be relaxed, informal and fun. They will start after the summer holidays but there will be two taster sessions in August.
Young Enterprise – working with teams of learners in four schools to set up and run a real-life business to help develop confidence, teamwork and success. The teams can also compete in regional and national competitions.
Caru Duffryn – Keep Wales Tidy, working with Hedyn, to tackle litter and waste issues through practical tasks, engagement sessions and family-friendly activities.
Community Café – Duffryn Community Link, an already well-established local organisation, is behind this idea and it will be a café with a twist as there will be different themes, such as creative or calm, with activities to match.
Dig Duffryn – Mind in Gwent, working with the council’s youth and play service, will be leading the refurbishment of a community garden to help young people’s health and wellbeing. It is hoped it will become a long-term community asset.
Other organisations bringing projects to Duffryn include Tredegar Park Primary School, County in the Community, Newport Live, H.E.A.L., Duffryn Exercise Class, Barnado’s, Adult Learning Wales, RAW performance, Culture Minds, Newport Saracens and Newport West Netball Club.
The council’s no-one left behind scheme commits up to £500,000 each year to benefit local communities based on what they say is needed.
Bettws is the second area that will benefit from the fund and local feedback sessions have already been held there.
The next stage will be to collate all the information and then to invite voluntary organisations, social enterprises and charities to bid for funding to deliver services and activities based on the priorities that have been identified.
