WIREDGOV

Two popular community projects in Newport are set to celebrate after being awarded £232,000 by Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths.

Bettws in Bloom, a voluntary organisation providing training courses, job clubs and a range of social activities will receive £180,000, while Newport Credit Union, which offers affordable financial services to local people, has been awarded £52,800.

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

The funding will provide a new support structure and roof for Bettws in Bloom, extending the lifespan of the building, reducing maintenance costs and improving safety. The voluntary project works with the Welsh Government’s Communities First programme to provide job search and training services, as well as hosting Brownies and Rainbows clubs, arts and crafts clubs, support groups for people with autism and gardening groups.

The charity also works in partnership with Newport High School to host alternative provision for pupils at risk of exclusion, and has helped to increase the GSCE pass rate for this group from 27% to 90% over the past 7 years. The renovation will enable the charity to provide a range of new activities, such as youth clubs, a mums and tots group, and keep fit classes.

The funding for Newport Credit Union will enable the organisation to move from its current cramped premises in Market Arcade, into larger premises in Market Hall. The new facility will provide a larger customer area with private consulting rooms and separate back office space.

The project will allow the credit union to offer low-cost financial services to even more people within the local community, increasing its membership from 2,550 in 2014 to around 5,000 by 2017. The new space will also support its steady growth in junior membership and enable them to open for an extra 2 hours every day.

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths said:

“I am delighted to announce funding of £232,000 to transform these local facilities in Newport.

“Bettws in Bloom and Newport Credit Union truly serve their communities, providing quality services and support to local people. Bettws in Bloom provides a huge range of activities from training courses to Brownies clubs, while Newport Credit Union’s ethical financial services help increase people’s financial literacy, confidence and well-being.

“The money will enable the projects to expand their work further, throwing opening their doors to even more people in the local community.”

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