Placemaking Wales - People & Communities Newsletter – Community Initiatives around Wales
There are many grassroots community initiatives around Wales. Here are some links for you to read about them:
Providing Community Services
Taibach, Port Talbot – 'Taibach Community Library is a volunteer run community library based in Taibach, Port Talbot. In 2014, the local community stepped in when the library was threatened with closure due to local authority cuts, and formed the Taibach Community Library charity.'
More information here: http://www.taibachlibrary.org.uk/
The Arches, Rhayader: ‘The Arches’ (Rhayader & District Community Support) is an independent Charity set up in 1985 to provide community services for all residents in the postcode area of LD6, particularly in the advancement of education, the furtherance of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness.’ They are based in the former post office, which has been converted into a ‘community hub’, and they also own ‘ARCHIE, the community minibus and CARYS the wheelchair accessible car.’
More information here: https://www.thearchesrhayader.com/about
Cletwr Café and Shop: 'Cletwr is a not-for-profit organisation owned and run by the community. It was set up to bring the community together to safeguard vital facilities and services in this rural area. The building also has a Welsh language library, and displays art from local artists.'
More information here: https://cletwr.com/
Celebrating local heritage and history:
Plas Carmel, Aberdaron, Gwynedd – ‘A community project to restore and revive Capel Carmel and the old shop in Anelog, Siop Plas. Their goal is to make sensitive use of the chapel, house, shop and garden – creating a sustainable heritage and cultural site that breathes new life into this rural corner of Llŷn.’
More information here: https://en.plascarmel.cymru/
Tafarn y Plu, Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd – 'When the 200 year old pub in Llanystumdwy was put up for sale in 2015, the local community stepped in. Menter y Plu, a community enterprise, crowdfunded in order to purchase the pub. Tafarn y Plu is now a community pub, which also provides community services.'
More information here: https://menteryplu.wordpress.com/
Boosting Biodiversity:
Bwyd Bendigedig Port / Porthmadog Incredible Edible: ‘What is now known as Incredible Edible Porthmadog was founded in 2016 by Lizzie Wynn and Charissa Buhler. It came about when Lizzie spotted the slightly unkempt raised beds outside Porthmadog Leisure Centre and made enquiries as to whether a local group could take them over and tend them.’
More information here: https://renewwales.org.uk/bwyd-bendigedig-port-incredible-edible-porthmadog/
Gurnos Men’s Project’s Community Garden, Merthyr Tydfil: ‘The multi award winning Gurnos Men's Project was established in 2014 as part of the Communities first programme. The project works primarily with unemployed males to deliver environmental activities in local communities.’
More information here: https://www.facebook.com/Gurnosmensproject/
Swansea Canal Society – ‘The Swansea Canal Society was established in 1981 aiming to restore and maintain the derelict canal – making it navigable again and improving its environs for the benefit of education, recreation and biodiversity.’
More information here: http://www.swanseacanalsociety.com/ + http://www.sustainableswansea.net/swansea-canal-society.html
Clydach Community Garden – ‘Originally set up with the help of the local GP cluster's social prescribing project, Clydach Community Garden have transformed the site from derelict wasteland into a thriving garden in the heart of the village.’
More information here: https://www.facebook.com/ClydachCommunityGarden/ + https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/news/swansea-bay-health-news/wellbeing-blooms-in-community-garden/
Knucklas Castle Community Land Project, Powys - 'Knucklas Castle Community Land Project is a community land trust that looks after about 21 acres of land in the village of Knucklas, in Powys, which includes two fields of about 4.5 acres together that provide about 35 allotments and an orchard for local people.'
More information here: https://www.knucklascastle.org.uk/kcclp/the-project/
Llannerch-y-medd Station Community Garden, Anglesey – In their words, ‘This is an exciting project to improve a derelict site and create a Community Garden for Llannerch-y-medd. Get involved, have fun, meet people, and help create something for the community.’
More information here: https://www.facebook.com/stesionyllan/
Llyn Parc Mawr Community Woodland – ‘In 2014 over 80 people living in the Newborough and district area held a meeting to discuss the possibility of the community being involved with the management of Newborough Forest.’ The result was a management agreement for 50 acres of forest.’
More information here: https://www.llynparcmawr.org/#
Connecting Communities:
Dryslwyn Community shop, Carmarthenshire – ‘Founded in 2009, Dryslwyn Community Shop and Post Office has operated as a highly successful volunteer-led, not-for-profit community enterprise, which has proved invaluable to a scattered population remote from basic services’
More information here: https://en-gb.facebook.com/dryslwyncommunityshop/
Digital Bench, Rhydyfelin Youth Club, Pontypridd: 'Renew Wales and Rhydyfelin Youth Club worked together on an exciting and innovative idea – the members of the youth club had the idea to create a bench that could be used to give homeless people shelter and would help to keep people connected.'
More information here: https://renewwales.org.uk/digital-bench-rhydyfelin-youth-club-pontypridd/ + https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5yxwLcVeg4