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.
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.
Treherbert OAP Hall – Update – £1,690 awarded for “one final push for our lovely hall”
Update on impact of Vision Fund award of £11,538 to Men’s Shed Tynewydd / Grow Rhondda in 2022
Winter 2024
The funding supported a 4 hrs per week funded role for a Grow Rhondda administrator. This role supported all our activities thought the Upper Rhondda. As all our projects remain volunteer led there is a need for this paid parttime administrative role which has supported several activities and programmes during 2022-2024.
PYC Supporting Business Growth- Penaluna’s Road Chip- Faster Food
Summer 2024
We supported Penaluna’s with £26,000 loan/grant mix for their new mobile shop ready to attend events, festivals and private functions.
Already a successful business with an excellent local reputation, Penaluna’s had clearly identified why they needed this and the benefit it would bring to them as a business, their staff and the local area.
New Welsh Themed, Bilingual Coffee Shop Awarded £6,455.04 to Help With Start Up Costs
Summer 2024
The applicant applied to the fund with the aspiration to open a Welsh themed bilingual coffee shop in the historic Aberdare Market, offering Welsh coffee, tea and other drinks along with food produced in Wales. The aim was to promote local and Welsh culture, the Welsh language and be a friendly place to meet.
PyC Supporting Groups to thrive – Treorchy Male Voice Choir
Tonmawr RFC supported with grant of £5,908.50
Resilient Pupil Programme with Call of the Wild Development Trust
Culvert and Cultivate – Micro Fund Grant
Scouts go Green
£5000 awarded to Abergorki Community Hall
Job Creation: Paving the Way for a Brighter Future
Spring 2024
Did you know that PyC funding has created over 25 jobs and helped support and sustain a further 156 jobs in the fund area so far? As a fund, we are committed to promoting and growing local businesses, creating job opportunities, and attracting enterprise and investment to the area, creating high-quality, secure jobs.
Case Study – £2,750 awarded to local training business BPI Consultancy
Under the Sky Growing and Learning – End of project reflections
Winter 2024
After 4 years the Under the Sky Growing and Learning Project has come to an end. We were excited to fund this for the 4 year period. Despite the obvious challenges that had not been planned for with the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, this project had impact and many unexpected outcomes.
Arts Factory Case Study
Winter 2023
Arts Factory Health & Wellbeing Youth Club was opened in October 2021 due to the increased demand for a youth provision in the Rhondda Fach area. This was a very limited service and we had a large number of young people trying to access our service. Fortunately were able to secure additional funding from the Micro Fund Grant and after consultation with the young people we found that they would prefer it to stay open longer on nights it was already open.
Recycle, recreate and retail: trailblazing new plastics recycling initiative launched in Rhondda.
Summer 2023
A trailblazing new community-led initiative has just launched in the Rhondda Valley that aims to recycle, recreate, and retail single-use plastics. Social enterprise, Soaring Supersaurus based in Penrhys, but working across the valleys, aims to create a currency for recycled plastic within the local community.
Otterly Amazing: Threatened mammals returning to River Cynon following funding.
Summer 2023
The number of otters spotted in the river Cynon has increased following a £50K investment to clean up the river. The ‘River for All’ project being part-funded by the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund and run by the Southeast Wales Rivers Trust is a three-year initiative aimed at improving and enhancing the biodiversity of the river Cynon.
