Partner Organisation - Cwmni Clydach Development Trust

Cwmni Clydach Development Trust
C/o INCO
Clydach
Swansea
SA6 5QR
Tel: 01792 841415
Contact: Melvin Gray

Email: Melvingray.Clydachtrust@btinternet.com

Cwmni Clydach Development Trust

The Trust was formed in October 2000 following consultation with local people with the intention of making Clydach a place that residents would be proud of both visually and environmentally.

It would also work to increase the GDP of the area by providing training and facilities to help generate employment opportunities as well as encouraging the participation of the whole community.

Funding has been provided through Objective 1, City & County of Swansea, INCO who provide office facilities for the Trust, and the WDA.

The Trust has a focus on the Graigfelen area but covers the whole of Clydach. It has its main office in INCO but also has a Communities First office in Hebron Road opposite the site of the planned resource Centre in Forge Fach.

The Trust appointed a Trust manager, Melvin Gray, in May 2001, an administrator, Louise Parry, started in April 2002 and a Communities First development worker Rebecca Harkness started in May 2003.

The Trust is involved with a number of initiatives in the area that include the following.

Forge Fach

On the site of the old swimming pool, which was demolished in 2002 from funding obtained for the WDA, the Trust is looking to build a new multi purpose Resource Centre at a cost of approx. £1.5 million.

This will provide a range of facilities including IT centre, Training, Crèche, Healthy Living areas, Community Café with an external Multi Use Games area.

Funding has been agreed with Clydach Community Council, Local Regeneration Funds (through the City & County of Swansea), Objective 1 and the Trust for £86K, £400K, £925K and £55K respectively. Funding of £79K with the Sports Council has also been approved

Planning approval has been obtained and the contractors have now been appointed. The appointed contractors are expected to be on site by February 2005.

Learning Shop

In July 2002 the Trust and its partners opened the "Clydach Learning Shop" in the High Street that has both IT and teaching space, in anticipation of the new Forge Fach site.

Learning opportunities at the centre are being provided through a partnership between Clydach Trust, City & County of Swansea Education Dept, Swansea College, Gorseinon College, Dept of Adult Continuing Education University of Wales Swansea and the Community University of the Valleys partnership.

For details of courses, please contact the centre on 01792/846158

High Street

The first phase of work in the centre of the High Street was completed last year with new paving and resurfacing of the road having been undertaken.

Work on the second phase in the Capel Buildings area of the High Street, involving a reshaping of the road, and resurfacing work, has now been completed, and also included new paving, trees, seats and cycle racks.

Funding for these schemes exceeds £350K and has been provided by the WDA & the City & County of Swansea.

A number of businesses have, and continue, too take advantage of grants available to improve their premises. Over £130K of grants have been committed matched by at these this amount by the business concerned.

A strategic review of physical enhancements has been completed with the consultants; Mackley Davies funded by the WDA and includes a number of potential schemes for the future.

Communities First

The Trust last year appointed a preparatory/development worker for Graigfelen alongside a consultation exercise being arranged with external consultants leading to a Communities First partnership for the area. This consultation will also extend to the remainder of Clydach alongside the Communities First area.

This is alongside the existing development work-taking place including assistance to local groups with funding applications.

A number of community events have taken place including a litter pick, a fun day with a local group, Kit4Kenya with SCVS, play schemes and more are planned.

Trust membership scheme

For anyone interested in playing a greater role in the activities of the Trust, there is a membership scheme that will make sure your views are heard and that you play a part in the regeneration of Clydach - contact Melvin Gray on 01792 841415.

There are now over 100 members of the scheme all of whom receive copies of each board reports and minutes. A regular members meeting is also held and at the last one a nominee from the members was elected onto the Trust board.

Credit Union

The Trust continues to support the LASA Credit Union with a weekly collection point based the Hebron road office.

Credit Unions aim to help people save and offer loans at low rates of interest.
Members can repay either weekly or monthly with loans based on the amounts saved.

For further details contact LASA on Swansea 01792 643632, or visit their website at; www.lasacreditunion.org.uk

Other

The Trust has or is in the course of setting up various special interest groups relating to Education, Crime, Health, Sport and Youth.

It issues a regular newsletter and has recently held a recent public event in the High Street.

It works closely with the City & County of Swansea, WDA and the Clydach Community Council as well as local people.

It has formed partnerships with a number of organisations including the Police, Housing Associations and works closely with the Community Regeneration Unit of the City & County of Swansea. It is also involved with Health Force Swansea.