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Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has announced funding of £186,565 to create a new media centre in Merthyr set to give local youngsters valuable training opportunities.

The Community Facilities Programme provides capital grant funding of up to £500,000 to help tackle poverty through creating and improving local facilities.

The grant has been awarded to 3G’s Development Trust to transform a former medical practice in Gurnos, Merthyr into an arts and media training centre for young people. The Centre will contain a recording studio, community radio station, music teaching room, IT suite, media editing room, photography studio, and a training room which will also be used as a dance and fitness studio.

The project is expected to work with 1,500 young people in its first year, and will link with Merthyr College, Merthyr Alternative Provision and the University of South Wales to provide a range of training opportunities from basic skills through to foundation and degree courses.

The funding is part of a £940,000 boost for four community projects across Wales announced by the Minister recently. Lesley Griffiths said:  

“I am pleased to announce over £186,000 for this excellent project in Merthyr, which is set to become a focal point of the community. The facilities will enable 3G’s Development Trust to provide young people with a huge range of skills and training opportunities which will have a positive impact on their education, career, health and wellbeing.

“The Community Facilities Programme has a big impact on communities across Wales and the day-to-day lives of local people. I have been impressed by the well-developed proposals which have come forward from dedicated and passionate community groups across Wales.”

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