Waterside & District Old People’s Club
The Group are currently applying for a small amount of money to do up a building that has kindly been loaned to them by Cllr J.V.Owen. The Group hopes to raise the profile of the Club development by opening the building as a base where residents can be constantly updated on the project. They will also be looking for members of the community to provide information about the history of the club so that they can make a collage of memories.
Also funding applications for the renovation of the club are currently being completed.
It is likely that this will be a timely process. Once completed the building will be eco-friendly- using solar panels and geothermal heating systems to reduce the costs of heating, lighting and water bills. The building will be a one of a kind for the Island and it is envisaged that it will host educational visits from groups all over the country- raising awareness of environmental issues.
Any residents interested in becoming a part of the project should contact the Porthyfelin Office on 01407 764222.
Holyhead Sea Cadets
The Partnership is working with the Sea Cadets Management Committee on a project to refurbish the current Unit. The group has been successful in securing £100,000 from the Welsh Assembly’s Communities Facilities & Activities Programme, and they are awaiting responses from a number of other funding bodies.
The Cadets hope that the ‘new look’ building will raise their membership numbers and that it will create a more open facility that will provide a venue for community meetings, training courses etc. Anyone wanting more information on the project can contact the Porthyfelin office.
Food Co-operative
The food co-operative has been running successfully for over two years and provides residents with fresh fruit and vegetables at a cost of £2.50 for full bags and £1.25 for half bags. The co-operatives aims at providing information on healthy eating and various initiatives have been held such as the Parc School Healthy Eating Day, which concentrated on showing children how to create a healthy school lunchbox.
At present the co-operative is also used as a base for community surgeries- these are attended by agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Ynys Mon County Council Tenant Participation Officers, local County Councillor, Homestart, and Careers Wales and are the ideal opportunity for residents to get information about what these agencies have to offer the community.
The Co-operative is run form the Newry Community Centre every Wednesday between 10am and 1pm.
Credit Union
The Partnership has been working in conjunction with Y Llechen Credit union to open a collection point in Newry Community Centre. The credit union is a shares and loan based ‘community bank’ scheme. The Financial Services Authority regulates the money invested in the credit union.
By saving with the credit union you will be entitled to a share of any profits that they make at the end of each financial year- the profit is calculated on the amount of savings that you have.
The scheme also offers a share-based loan to its savers whereby you can effectively take out a loan up to double the amount of money that you have in your savings. This is available after you have saved with the credit union for 8 weeks.
The credit union offers the ideal opportunity to save for birthdays, Christmas, family holidays etc.
The credit union will be running from the Newry Community Centre each Wednesday between 10am and 12.30pm. The scheme is run entirely by volunteers. If you would like to volunteer as a collection point worker or for more information on the scheme please contact the Porthyfelin Office.
Safer Holyhead
The Group was set up to tackle issues relating to health & wellbeing and community safety in Holyhead. The group comprises of representatives of each Communities First Partnership in Holyhead, the Fire Service, Ynys Mon County Council, and Anglesey Health Alliance.
Previous projects include the Sloppy Slipper and Anti-spiking Campaigns. The group is currently working on an awareness-raising project relating to the dangers of carbon monoxide. If you have an idea for a project for the Safer Holyhead group please contact Lisa Dundee on 01407 764222.
Skills for Regeneration
This is a joint project between Porthyfelin Partnership and Morlo Communities First. Both Partnerships applied to the Wales Council For Voluntary Action to employ three community development apprentices over an eighteen-month period. The project targeted those who where unemployed or underemployed with qualifications no higher than GCSE or NVQ Level 2.
Our apprentice Debra Parry has been in post since January and is working alongside Community Development Worker Shelly Rankin in order to gain hands on experience. As well as practical experience Debra is gaining skills and qualifications through attending a number of courses. She will also be attending an OCN Level 3 course in Community Development starting in September.
The project has offered valuable training and experience to a resident of the ward and it is hoped that the eighteen-month period will provide a platform for Debbie to move into gainful employment.
Porthyfelin Sandy Beach Project
The Partnership was approached by a resident with a project idea to create a sandy beach between the Mackenzie Pier and the Maritime Museum on the Newry Beachfront. The Partnership has worked with Community Design Consultants Sylfaen Cynefin to create a feasibility study and drawings for the project. The Partnership is now planning a meeting with the relevant departments of the County Council to discuss who will maintain the beach once the funding has been put in place.
The project will provide disabled access onto the beach and will create an ideal space for residents and tourists wanting to make more use of the beachfront. The Partnership is also working with the Maritime Museum on this project and is looking at linking the idea in to the Waterfront Strategy that will be going to public consultation late August.