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BLAENLLECHAU YOUTH PROJECT

JANUARY 12th 2019

Micro Fund Grant: £3425.00
 
Blaenllechau Youth Project received a Micro Fund grant of £3425 for their Blaenllechau Dance and Drama Project. They held weekly dance and drama sessions which accumulated in shows and showcases. They held a show in Morlais Hall for friends and family and well as performing in school fetes, Christmas events and a performance in an elderly residents’ home.
 
The project built the confidence and self-esteem of the youngsters and encouraged engagement with the wider community. Two of the youngsters gained so much experience and confidence through the weekly sessions that they went on to audition for and star in Jack and the Beanstalk in both The Coliseum and The Park and Dare. Both now have confidence and imagination to pursue a career in the performing arts sector.
 
The children and young people learned new dances with dance tutor and were encouraged to give their own ideas to the project to shape performances.
 
“We took our show to local elderly home for the first time this year and they loved watching the young people perform, we will go back incorporating music of their choice and we think this helps the residents there feel more connected to the community and reduces isolation. The biggest issue was we were oversubscribed and so in 2019 we will run 3 sessions per week instead of 2 to accommodate more young people. Projects like this bring enjoyment to the whole community, and makes people smile and encourages a sense of belonging and pride in the community.” Julie – Blaenllechau Youth Project
 
 
“dance and drama at this project allow all ages to join in and is giving so much back to this community as there is very little in this area for young children”
 “going to drama class is inspirational and helps me to express myself with confidence”
“she loves going to sessions because it’s lots of fun and she has made so many new friends”

The Fund was established by energy company Vattenfall to benefit the communities hosting the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. It exists to support local people, groups and organisations to invest in themselves, their ideas and their communities.

The Community Fund has a substantial annual budget that is index-linked, meaning it increases in line with inflation. As an example, this equated to around £2.5 million in 2025. The Fund will continue to support communities until 2043, creating long-term opportunities for growth, resilience and positive change.

The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with strong local connections and delivered by a small but dedicated staff team with extensive community engagement experience. We are here to help ensure the Fund delivers on the vision and priorities of local communities.

Over the next 10 years, the Fund is focusing on investment in people, places and businesses — helping the Valleys to thrive, driving bold ideas, supporting transformation and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.

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