PEN Y CYMOEDD
project case studies
Projects that inspire
Discover the inspiring projects recently supported by the Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund. From local enterprises and environmental initiatives to community spaces and youth programmes, these projects highlight the creativity, passion, and commitment of people across the Neath, Afan, Rhondda, and Cynon Valleys. See how funding is helping communities grow, connect, and thrive.
OUR SPACE | EIN LLE NI – COMPLETION & REFLECTION
Treorchy RFC – Building a Legacy for the Community
Summer 2025
At Pen y Cymoedd, we’re passionate about backing bold, ambitious ideas that can make a real, long-term difference.
Treorchy RFC is a club with deep roots in its community – and a big vision for the future. In 2022, instead of simply refurbishing their much-loved but ageing clubhouse, they set their sights on something transformational: a brand-new facility by the pitch, designed to be a thriving hub for sport, community events, and local enterprise.
Investing in Impact: Building Stronger Charities in RCT and Beyond
From Dream to Reality – A Hair Salon in Tynewydd
Summer 2025
Last year, Pen-Y-Cymoedd was proud to award a £6,500 Micro Fund grant to a determined local woman with a long-standing career in hairdressing but no salon of her own. Her goal was simple but powerful: open her own business in the heart of Tynewydd, providing a vital service to her community while building a sustainable future for herself.
Supporting Local Garages – Investment, Growth & Impact
Summer 2025
Over last couple of years, Pen y Cymoedd has supported several local garages across the fund area through Micro Fund and Vision Fund grants. While each business is different, clear themes emerged from their journeys with us — highlighting the value of flexible, friendly support and the direct impact on growth and employment.
Saving Our Water Vole – Project Progress Update (Sept 2024 – Mar 2025)
Daisy Fresh Wales – Crafting a Brighter Future with Pen y Cymoedd Support
Upper Rhondda Vets Football Club – Building Community Through Football
Summer 2025
Upper Rhondda Vets Football Club (URVFC) was founded to bring together men aged 40+ for fun, friendly, and accessible 6-a-side football. The idea was born from a social media survey that highlighted a lack of provision for older players in the Upper Rhondda area.
From the outset, the group embraced a welcoming, non-judgemental ethos that prioritised inclusivity, mental and physical wellbeing, and the joy of social connection through sport.
From Drab to Fab!
PYC – Helping Businesses to Develop and Grow Busy Pins & Needles – Learning to Sew
Summer 2025
Busy Pins and Needles is a family-run fabric shop located in Aberdare. Not only do they offer a wide range of craft supplies, but they also use these supplies to create stunning and unique creations that are exclusive to their store. They provide an extensive selection of fabrics, wool, and knitting supplies, along with sewing essentials. Their staff are highly knowledgeable and experienced, and can offer tailored advice to customers who need help.
Animal Friendly – The Vegan Coffi House, Aberdare
The Tea Rooms Travelling Tea Pilot
Moonshine Events UK – Turning Dreams into Sustainable Success
Summer 2025
In September 2024, Penelope approached the Micro Fund with a vision: to expand their mobile bar business, Moonshine Events UK, into a full-time operation that could serve both private and public events. The Micro Fund awarded a grant of £3,600 to support the ambitions — helping to elevate their offerings and lay the foundations for future growth.
Talisha’s Hearing Clinic – From Idea to Impact
Time Credits Taking Root in Cynon Valley
Spring 2025
Tempo Time Credits has begun laying strong foundations for a local Time Credit network in the Cynon Valley. Supported by Pen y Cymoedd funding, the project is connecting volunteers, community groups, and local services to increase community participation and reward people for giving their time.
Stacked Street Food Ltd – The Home of the Gourmet Burger
Winter 2024
PYC supported Stacked Street Food Ltd (better known as “Stacked Aberdare” on social media) with a Micro Fund grant of £6,500 to assist with upscaling the business with a contribution that enabled a purpose built food truck to be purchased.
Stacked Aberdare prepares gourmet food specialising in American Burgers and operates throughout Rhondda Cynon Taff and surrounding areas.
Busy Pins & Needles – Learning to Sew
Winter 2024
Busy Pins and Needles is a family-run fabric shop located in Aberdare. Not only do they offer a wide range of craft supplies, but they also use these supplies to create stunning and unique creations that are exclusive to their store. They provide an extensive selection of fabrics, wool, and knitting supplies, along with sewing essentials. Their staff are highly knowledgeable and experienced, and can offer tailored advice to customers who need help.
Glwyptiroedd – Wetlands
Winter 2024
The project was centred around the purchase of 27 acres of wetlands and broadleaf native woodlands better known as Cwmbach Wetlands. The project was a multi-partnership project between Down to Zero ltd as the lead, Cwmbach Community wetlands Ltd as the leaseholder/manager of the wetlands and its funders Pen-y-Cymoedd community Fund CIC, Cynon Taf Community Housing Group and Sustainable Steps Wales.
Update on Water Vole Project
Cap y Gymuned Community Hub at Capcoch
Winter 2024
Situated in Capcoch School grounds. They will run a food pantry, recycled school uniform and clothing swap shop will be open daily to parents, residents and surrounding communities.
They will also be hosting training sessions and courses and are excited to provide these to community in their local area. They will be inviting Citizens Advice, health, work & skills agencies and services to hold regular advice sessions.