Member Article

Grŵp Cynefin development gives back to Rhyl community

A housing development in Rhyl has helped two charities in the town as well as provided additional training opportunities for apprentices following the launch of a new initiative.

North Wales housing association Grŵp Cynefin, which will manage the eight new flats on Brighton Road, set up a community benefits programme with construction company G M Jones.

The Kings Storehouse food bank received a £1,000 donation, which will be used to help build its permanent home at Rhyl Rugby Club on Vale Road.

The project also donated £1,000 to Rhyl City Strategy, which helps people with mental health conditions enter employment and build social skills. The charity is to build a kitchen and café with the funds, using the facility to help participants socialise and hold nutrition workshops.

The apprentices all gained practical work experience with G M Jones, which has delivered more than 170 weeks of training so far.

In addition, the project safeguarded six jobs and for every £1 spent on the development, an additional £1.92 was invested in the Welsh economy. Grŵp Cynefin also ensured the development supported Welsh businesses, with 88 per cent of spend on goods and services taking place in Wales.

Mike Bettany, who runs the Kings Storehouse food bank, said: “£1,000 has come at just the time. At the moment we’re in a container on the car park of Rhyl Rugby Club, but when the club moves out we are going to fit out a permanent base for the food bank.

“It’s going to involve tiling, redoing the floor and purchasing freezers, and the donation will go towards that.”

Elliott Llewellyn, apprentice joiner at GM Jones, said: “A lot of people on my college course haven’t had a complex job like this to get a wide range of experience. For example, I’ve been working on stair cases, which is not a common aspect of an apprenticeship.

“I’ve been able to have a wide range of training on different aspects of joinery, which has really helped me expand my portfolio.”

Dewi Llwyd Evans, sustainability and regeneration manager at Grŵp Cynefin, said: “Grwp Cynefin’s slogan is ‘more than housing’ and this project is a perfect example of it.

“We’re happy to say GM Jones has far exceeded the agreed amount of training time, which will help the apprentices progress in their careers.

“Rhyl City Strategy and The Kings Storehouse are on the front line helping people in Rhyl, so we knew our donations would go a long way and have a meaningful impact.

“The project demonstrates how community benefits can be delivered effectively, and we’ll be applying more initiatives like this to our future contracts.”

The development consists of eight flats, including one that has been adapted for disability living.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .