WIREDGOV

More than £50,000 is to be shared between seven projects which play a vital role to communities in Conwy.

A training facility for young people with autism and special needs, a replacement bus shelter in an isolated area used by schoolchildren and the elderly and restoration work at a castle are amongst the projects to benefit from Rhyl Flats Wind Farm Community Fund. Rhyl Flats Wind Farm is operated by Innogy Renewables UK Ltd.

Creatasmile have been awarded £10,000 to expand the services they offer and develop a training tea room which will help young people with autism and special needs to gain skills and build confidence working with people from the local community.

The same amount will benefit Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust to support the next phase of work at the Castle which includes the Creation of a coppice in the woodlands and repairs to the Melon House roof.

Community and Voluntary Support Conwy will also benefit from £10,000 investment to support the role of a Programme Development Officer to pilot the Veteran Hub in Conwy.  The officer will provide a holistic and bespoke service to each veteran to successfully transition into civilian life.  

Sport Conwy is set to gain £9,860 funding to purchase adapted cycles to provide a range of cycling sessions for disabled people.

Benefits Advice Shop is to receive £6,300 in this financial year and again in 2018/19 to continue to provide a weekly outreach service to residents in Abergele and Colwyn Bay to access advice and advocacy.

Abergele Town Council will be supported by £2,257 funding towards the cost of providing a replacement bus shelter located on an isolated and exposed coastal bus route, used by schoolchildren and the elderly.

Funding of £1,900 will help Colwyn Bay Model Boat Club to help control and manage the widespread presence of invasive aquatic weeds at the new boating lake.

Community or voluntary groups, charities, and town and community councils in eligible areas of Conwy are being encouraged to apply to the Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund, which is administered by the Welsh Government and provides grants of between £2,000 and £10,000.

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant said:

“This funding will be a real boost to local communities in Conwy and help improve lives.

“From helping people gain new skills to supporting local services, the Rhyl Flats Wind Farm Community Fund is investing in projects which are an important part of the area. I encourage all groups interested in applying for funding to find our more about the scheme.”

Katy Woodington, Senior Community Investment Officer for innogy said:

“It’s exciting to see the Rhyl Flats Wind Farm Community Fund supporting such a wide range of projects again this year. I will be really looking forward to hearing more about how these projects use their fuding to make a positive difference for local people.

“This funding, which is administered by the Welsh Government, is available each year the wind farm is operational, so please think about whether the community groups you are involved with could benefit from applying for funding in the future.”

If your community group or project is interested in learning more about applying for funding please visit the Rhyl Flats website for further information - http://gov.wales/topics/housing-and-regeneration/regeneration/strategicareas/northwalescoast/communityfund/?lang=en