MEALS FOR THE COMMUNITY
JANUARY 24th 2018
NODDFA COMMUNITY CENTRE – GLYNCORRWG
£2,500 – MICRO FUND – FEB 2017
This application was to further support the centre’s provision of meals to the local community by purchasing and installing a dishwasher. The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) feels that under-investment puts elderly people at risk and places unnecessary pressure on the NHS – meals services can help prevent hospital admissions and extend the time residents can live at home.
The grant provided most of the funding for the installation of a dishwasher to benefit the community. Hundreds of villagers attend functions at Noddfa Community Centre and the dishwasher made a significant difference. Since installation they have held an Italian night, a Faggots and Peas dinner, Afternoon Tea and Christmas dinner and the dishwasher eased the work of the volunteers at all of these functions. The dishwasher is used at 6-10 major events each year but also smaller weekly events such as coffee morning, Bingo and Friday club.
“Our volunteers can spend more time with the residents and enjoying the function instead of being in the kitchen….It has helped increase our service to include breakfasts. Our 30 or so volunteers and the committee have benefitted by improving how quickly and easily we can serve and clear up after functions.” – Steve English
“Marvellous. Brilliant, when it’s busy. Very handy when we’ve got functions and coffee morning.” – Rita Clackworthy Volunteer
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.