A DENBIGH housing association has shared £12,000 between 54 community groups and organisations in North Wales to fund a variety of different projects and activities during 2018-2019.

The community fund by Grŵp Cynefin forms part of its commitment to support communities where they work and live.

Community, voluntary and tenant groups are encouraged to bid for up to £500 to help them make a difference to local people’s lives and the environment they live in. The application process is a straight forward, so if you have an idea, don’t hesitate in contacting the team.

Community gardens, festivals, well-being sessions, family camping, conservation days, PA systems, play areas, investing in village halls, arts and science projects, first aid sessions and sporting events are just some of the activities people will benefit from.

One couple from Llangollen, Jan and Don Ware who work on a voluntary basis at Tŷ Allan’s Outhouse Friendship Room have been awarded £495 during two applications for Grŵp Cynefin funding.

The charity, which provides a safe and warm environment for vulnerable people in Llangollen, is dependent on donations and has recently bought heaters and tables that will enable the room to be turned into a space for arts and crafts.

Mrs Ware said: “We run a friendship room in the heart of Llangollen, where we offer a warm room to stop during the day, a cup of tea or coffee, where people of all ages can pop in, chat and share any concerns they may have. It’s a safe and warm environment for local people, with some looking for support during a troublesome period in their lives.

“The people who stop by and visit us vary from young mothers with prams, wanting a five minute break in between shopping in town and the school pick up; young people struggling to find work to older people killing time before the bus arrives and people who are in dire need of support.

“It’s a voluntary project, but we are able to signpost people with more pressing needs to different agencies and organisations. We’ve been known to arrange birthday parties for families who are struggling, feed a family with no food in their cupboards, and Christmas is a special time where we open our doors for the festive period, and offer refreshments to people who may be on their own.

“We are wholly dependent on donations, so receiving support from Grŵp Cynefin has been fantastic. This year we’ve been able to buy new heaters and smaller tables that are more manageable for us to adapt the space we have for arts and craft activities. We’re also keen to develop our informal Welsh learning sessions, as working bilingually is very important to us.”

Tŷ Allan’s Outhouse Friendship Room is situated at Castle Street at the corner of the main car park in Llangollen, and usual opening hours are from 10am – 4pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

“We are delighted that so many applications come through to us each year,” explains Mair Edwards, Community Initiatives Manager at Grŵp Cynefin.

“There are so many people across north Wales and north Powys working hard within their communities to support, care for and make a real difference to people’s lives. The variety of applications we have seen is inspiring.

“We have four application windows where we accept people’s proposals, and then our grants panel, made up of our tenants, meet to discuss each application based on a number of different criteria.”

For more information regarding Grŵp Cynefin’s Community Grant, call the community initiatives team on 0300 111 2122 or email communityinitatives@grwpcynefin.org.