Y Dref Werdd have recently launched their latest project, Camu yn ein Blaenau (Stepping into the Future), after receiving a grant of £480,340 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
They’re a long-established group in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area and have nurtured a close relationship with the community. The group has gone from strength to strength and is a great example of how environmental work and supporting communities go hand in hand. Working in the energy, food waste, wellbeing, and skills development areas, the team now employ 11 people – and many more local residents have benefited from opportunities of all sorts, from making apple juice to repairing bikes!
Their work brings our new strategy – It starts with community – to life in numerous ways.
Y Dref Werdd support people with a range of social issues to help them live healthier lives. The door is always open to everyone. Anyone can drop by the Dref Werdd’s centre to ask for support when life’s challenges become difficult, from help with energy bills to a community larder. They also have a community transport service which helps peoples reach medical appointments or go shopping.
They’re also experienced in bringing people together, with their popular programme of activities offering activities from tai-chi and mindfulness sessions in nature, to crafting or litter picking. These sessions have been a great way to make new connections and build relationships.
Being environmentally sustainable has been central to the Dref Werdd’s ethos since their establishment back in 2006. Their work started with planting trees and efforts at eradicating the invasive Rhododendron ponticum. Today, there are three well established community gardens with food grown locally.
Young people have also benefited from the Dref Werdd’s work, with regular educational sessions in the outdoors, even cleaning rivers! A community bike shop is one of the latest developments, with youngsters learning bike maintenance and repairs. They’re also transforming some of the bikes into electric bikes which will allow people to commute to work in a greener way. A great opportunity for young people to learn new skills whilst doing their bit to help tackle climate change at the same time.
Another of their ventures is a repair café. Charlotte from Caffi Trwsio, said: “I want to help people recycle, create and repair instead of buying new everytime. It’s made quite a difference to my confidence – especially after Covid. I was just stuck in the house, and now this gets me out and socialising.”
Funding from The National Lottery Community Fund will help Dref Werdd continue with their valuable work in enabling local residents respond to the challenges they face. They will develop new volunteers and ambassador to continue to support the community and support people in becoming more resilient and independent. It’s hoped that the model developed here in Blaenau Ffestiniog will be replicated in other communities across Wales.
Rhian Williams, Project Manager at Dref Werdd, said: “The new projects will include working with young people in the Penrhyn and Bro Ffestiniog areas, engaging older people and offering inter-generational sessions with local schools. Dref Werdd will deliver projects to help cope with grief, improve mens mental Health, offer community arts and empower people to do more for themselves. Having an investment in the local community ensures that the community leads on what’s needed in their community.”
Y Dref Werdd are recipients of our People & Places funding programmes. To find out more about this funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, visit our website.
The National Lottery Community Fund Blog 