Blaenymaes, Portmead, Penplas Development Trust Ltd

Description & History

In 1999 Penderry Ward in Swansea was selected for the Welsh Assembly’s People in Communities pilot scheme to tackle social exclusion. The local Council, in partnership with local residents, community groups and other agencies, received funding to employ a co-ordinator. Over the next few years a range of community development work following consultations was undertaken and the partnership was set up as a company in 2001.

Location and Area of Benefit

The trust operates in Portmead, Blaenymaes and Penplas (Swansea) which was an urban area coming under Communities First. It is based in the Penderry Ward, one of the most deprived ward in Wales.

Main services, Enterprises and Activities

The trust works to promote community regeneration through partnership and community participation. The trust wishes to help local people to improve their lives and prosperity on a long term basis. The most effective way of doing this is in partnership with the community and all the agencies that offer services to it. In numerous ways and through a variety of projects, they have been and continue to be successful.

The trust is engaged in the advancement and provision of education and training (particularly for unemployed people), work experience, general assistance and advice and workspace to promote employment and training opportunities.

It is based at and manages The ARC (Action Resource Centre). It is striving for self-sufficiency though its many activities, which include a community café (run by local volunteers) and managed workspace. It is a growing and developing partnership of many members including local residents, the private, public and voluntary sectors. Its primary role is as a facilitator, a representative and resource – bringing all these partners together to share concerns, ideas and aspirations.

The ARC is a venue for several agencies working in the community:-

* The Jobshop - helping local people into employment.

* The Connecting Communities Cymru - the IT suite holds adult courses in partnership with the University of Wales, Swansea.

* SureStart Health Development Project bases its Health Visitor staff at the ARC.

* Swansea College - runs a range of courses, including English for Speakers of Other Languages for local Asylum Seekers.

* The trust is actively engaged in other local partnerships, for example:-

* The Citizen’s Advice Bureau - Family Outreach Project.

* Community News - newsletter produced by volunteers and funded by the trust’s People In Communities programme.

* GATE (Gwalia Action for Training and Employment) - an estate maintenance project. employing up to 12 local young people funded by People in Communities.

* 104 Community House - provides advice and support to local people.

* Spark Centre - works in training and education of adults, young people and children.