An additional 21 community hubs and learning centres are to be provided throughout Wales thanks to a £15m Community Hubs Capital Grant fund announced by Education Minister Kirsty Williams today.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The fund comes as part of the 21st Century Schools and Education Programme, which will see an investment of £3.7 billion over two waves of investment, which began in 2014, to replace and refurbish education buildings throughout Wales.
The primary purpose of the £15m will be to fund projects that cater for the local community.
This could be through adapting existing buildings for wider community use, such as increasing the size of a school hall, by providing specialist facilities that widen use or enhanced sporting facilities, which can be used by local people.
Funding will also be used to create spaces that meet a specific need within the local community, such as learning new languages or vocational skills.
Education Minister Kirsty Williams said:
“Our 21st Century Schools and Education programme is already making a huge difference to pupils, teachers and local communities throughout Wales; giving them access to state of the art educational facilities.
“Schools play a vital role within a community, and I’m fully aware of the importance of ensuring that our schools are not only fit for purpose, but are able to cater to the needs of local communities.
“That’s why we’ve committed to introducing more community learning centres, and plan to make community focused projects a key aspect of the second wave of the programme.
“Through this additional funding local authorities will be able to build new centres or change existing facilities to provide communities with essential services such as childcare, parenting, and family learning support.”
Further information on projects funded through the grant is provided in the table below:
|
Local authority/ Further Education Institution |
Region |
Brief description of project |
|
Anglesey |
North |
Develop Bryn Hwfa Community Hub to bring a range of resources together across agencies to support disabled pupils and their parents / carers |
|
Bridgend |
Central South |
Brynteg School - East Hub. Re-locate a multi-service hub to the school to accommodate 40 staff and allow for close integrated working |
|
Caerphilly |
South East |
Create an athletics facility on Rhiw Syr-Dafydd Primary School to serve schools across the county as well as the wider community |
|
Carmarthenshire |
Mid / West Wales |
Construction of a community room built onto a 21C school - Llandovery (Rhys Pritchard school). An opportunity to help meet the need in a rural area for community spaces. |
|
Ceredigion |
Mid / West Wales |
Extend Plascrug Lesiure Centre to create Community hub - first point of contact for a range of services to support families on a site adjacent to a number of schools |
|
Conwy |
North |
Create a multi-purpose extension on Ysgol Pencae for childcare, co-location of services to parents and community use |
|
Conwy |
North |
Construction of a multi-purpose room for the Youth Service and community in the Kinmel Bay area as part of the new school campus. |
|
Conwy |
North |
Construction of a multi-purpose room for the Youth Service and community in the Llanddulas area as part of the new school campus. |
|
Flintshire |
North |
A new community learning and multi-agency hub on Queensferry campus to be built alongside a school and PRU / adult day care centre to meet the need for learning and sports opportunities |
|
Gwynedd |
North |
Construction of a new community hall and multi service hub with meeting rooms and facilities as part of Ysgol Cymerau, Pwllheli. Community council to meet here. |
|
Gwynedd |
North |
Construction of a new community centre and multi service hub as part of Ysgol y Faenol, Bangor, to include a home for the community council |
|
Merthyr |
Central South |
Creation of an engagement and training space in the Gurnos Community Zone hub which is developing a co-located service model; also creation of a Creative Clinic Arts & media Centre in an adjacent building |
|
NPT |
Mid / West Wales |
Creation of the 'Hafan', a fully resourced community room / annex on Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tyle’r Ynn, Briton Ferry |
|
Pembrokeshire |
Mid / West Wales |
Refurbishment of Science block of former Pembroke School and work with Ysgol Harri Tudur & Lesiure centre to create a vocational curriculum centre |
|
RCT |
Central South |
Creation of a new hall, childcare facilities and community room on Ffynnon Taf Primary School, Taffs Well |
|
RCT |
Central South |
Enhancement and reconfiguring of Porth Plaza Community Hub - multi-agency site to support individuals and families to access services |
|
Swansea |
Mid / West Wales |
Provision of sport, community facilities and flexible spaces at Cefn Hengoed Community School, Swansea for school, community and multi-agency usage |
|
Torfaen |
South East |
Create an extension to Crownbridge special school to form a café and accessible multi-use space to build links between the school, the community and services |
|
Torfaen |
South East |
Creation of a 3G Pitch at West Monmouth High School for school use during school day and community use at other times. |
|
CAVC |
Central South |
Creation of the Canal Park Community Sport & Play Centre in Butetown, one of the most deprived areas in Wales, for free use by schools and organised community sport and play events. Joint project with Cardiff Council. |
|
Coleg Cambria |
North |
Create dedicated Community Learning Hub on Llysfasi campus to include co-location of facilities and support for rural businesses |