Name: Darren Rees
Role: Community Development Officer, Llanelli Rural Council
Location: Llwynhendy, Llanelli
Website: www.facebook.com/LlwynhendyHub
Canolfan Llwynhendy
Can you tell us a little about your organisation, what inspired you to start, and its role within the local community?
Canolfan Llwynhendy is a newly refurbished library building which is now a vibrant Community Centre right at the heart of the neighbourhood which has been without a dedicated space for years. There were plenty of homes and businesses here, but there wasn’t a dedicated space for the community to meet. Some groups used a room at the school others went to the working men’s club; but these arrangements weren't suitable for everyone.
How has the UK SPF supported your organisation, and what specific improvements or changes have you been able to make with the funding?
We received lottery money to renovate the old library building – which is now Canolfan Llwynhendy - some time ago. But we needed further funds to furnish it and make it attractive and usable. And that's where the UK SPF Sustainable Communities Fund came in. We received funding to buy tables, chairs, conference facilities, a projector, a screen and a sound system too. Now, we’ll be able to realise our vision of being a resource for people in their daily lives. The groups 'Llwynhendy Ni', ‘Tŷ Enfys’ and 'Pro-vision Llwynhendy' have already met here. Soon, we plan to open a café and a youth club and be a hub that provides advice about jobs and homes. And outside, there’ll be a park where children can play, and space for families to picnic.
What impact has this project had on the local community so far, and how have they responded to the services/improvements you’ve made?
Canolfan Llwynhendy is in a perfect location - off the main road, but at the heart of the village. It came alive during the children’s Halloween disco, and we’d like to keep the momentum going by building on the sense of belonging and community we had here then. Hopefully the digital library that's already here will be a bit of a bait too; encouraging those who use it to love the Canolfan and return to use it in other ways. Perhaps the best way for us to explain how our fabulous centre, with its wonderful resources is inspiring people, is to share the fact that someone from a neighbouring village has been in touch with us to ask how they too can get a similar resource! It seems that Canolfan Llwynhendy’s impact is already reaching beyond its immediate community!
Quotes from users of the facilities:
MENCAP
"Great venue, not been for a number of years, an excellent asset for the community.”
Communities for Work
"Lots of room, comfortable building, easy to park, lots of access to electrical points. Good to be able to use meeting rooms to hold courses. Great space!"
