We approached Ruth Taylor-Davies, Community Development Officer, with the concept of developing a Community Action Hub in July 2020. Having previously worked together we were reassured that the pilots would have the essential link required to coordinate its efforts.
The involvement of a community centered linchpin meant that there was already potential access to a vast resource of raw data, networked links, and a certain sympathetic appreciation towards the intention of the pilot ideas.
Involving the Community Council, discussions around public engagement, data gaps and services, considerations of peripatetic support and thoughts on differences within the wider ward of Llanedi helped develop the project and the eventual creation of three community action hubs: Llanedi, Tycroes and Hendy.
One of the initial barriers to overcome was public perception of ‘being done to’ which was managed immediately through Ruth’s involvement and being seen as a bridge to the community council. Being an active and ‘present’ member of the community lent a level of established history of delivering on support.
Another point of consideration was that of community isolation; there were clear opportunities to develop wider ‘partnerships’ and become involved with other groups. Whilst there were already links with groups such as ‘Shadows’, a mental health group based in neighbouring Cwmaman, greater community resilience could be developed though focusing on bringing others in eg. Carmarthenshire United Support Project (CUSP) and developing a signposting directory. (Referred to Infoengine and Dewis).
The development of a public engagement plan, engagement of a pilot project volunteer to support with organising the raw data and promotion of ‘Community Action’ lent a feeling of progress and progression. Social media and the development of newsletters, formed the basis for information sharing and could also be used to track developments. As the pilot looked further into the community’s profile information to ensure diversity and inclusivity, there were further discussions around engagement and ways to spend the associated discretionary funds. By the end of the third month mark the first newsletter had been distributed, planning altered to reflect all 5 ‘localities’ to include Forest and Pantyfynnon and a community association prelim meeting had been set.
It is important to highlight that whilst the association has not developed further, there have been discussions around the practicalities of creating a forum and there is great promise that this will take root in 2022. Support accessed around developing constitutions, accessing relevant funding to support this endeavor and alternative structures has been a good investment.
Before the end of 2020 there had been initial discussions around the concept of participatory budgeting as a way of the community deciding on ways to spend the allocated funding. A launch date of March 1st supported a period of engagement, the release of the next newsletter and further developments around linking with wider projects, such as Eden Communities Climate Change, and community artwork.
It was encouraging to see the local primary schools involved in the design of the hub totems as well as the use of social media to garner community opinions
The participatory budgeting pilot was by no means a failure, but it also did not conform to typical expectations and procedures so was not a success by those measures. Whilst it took some time for groups to show their interest in developing community project ideas there was a final offering of 10 groups which in turn accessed almost £3,000. The proposals each evidenced community interest but unfortunately there was no interest in the voting process itself. Three evenings, of planned community presentations, had been promoted and shared across the individual hub areas with no turn out. It was decided at this point that all 10 projects would be funded and supported to involve as many residents as possible.
All but one of the supported groups were a success and their impact can be seen throughout this report.
- 49Volunteers supporting 9 activities
- 428+Beneficiaries (though the fairy village is not included in this figure as it is open to all three communities)
“As well as the bird box making workshop and the Herbology workshop, there have been opportunities for the volunteers to enroll in courses – Sustainable Woodland Management, Ecology /Nature Walk and training for strimming and using scythes”.
Friends of Tycroes Park.
The Community Action Hub pilot offered the space to explore various exchanges around community assets and future developments. It also became very clear that the Community Council was an instrumental partner in enabling some of the projects; the Fairy Trail, for instance, required a conversation around insurance which the council was able to support with.
We chose to embed reflection into the project so were able to be responsive to community need. It became clear that the availability of community led funding brought with it a positive and open acceptance of the project by the community. Simple applications, with timely action, and impact led monitoring all contributed to making these engagements streamlined and positive. It might be said that the Covid-19 Pandemic gave communities the impetus to act locally. In seeing the needs of isolated and vulnerable members of their community, in recognising the urgency for immediate action and realizing the importance of sustainable resilience and connections – people were looking for the easiest ways to do what they felt was the right thing for where they live.
Additional project ideas were presented and they too provided a rich experience for the beneficiaries. The two forest school activities, for instance, did not exist before this pilot and represents a hugely successful outcome. With the intention of encouraging more people to play in the woods/environment and offering a health and wellbeing benefit, supporting friendships and relationships it was able to engage families that had not been reached previously. Furthermore, the Gardening Talyclun project also highlighted how the wider community are supporting volunteers. The skateboarding project came from a 12 year old young man who felt compelled to contact his community council at a time when there were resources available. It is often young people who feel the restrictive and binding red tape that comes with such requests and tend to dismiss the likelihood of being supported and so do not try.
Llanedi, Tycroes and Hendy communities are very different in their needs, expectations and involvement. What was evident throughout this pilot was the commitment residents have to one another. Two recommendations that have raised themselves is the need for a community link worker to facilitate community action until the community themselves feel confident to form a resident’s association, or similar structure, to provide a clear focus and avenue. The second is to consider further explorations into a participatory budgeting / co-produced community outcome platform which engages, excites and brings these communities together to share responsibility for decision making.
Jamie Horton, Community Volunteering Development Officer, CAVS
Everyone was taken aback when the Pandemic came to our shores March 2020, with this came much change in the way we were asked to work. Fortunately, local communities came into action. Llanedi, Tycroes and Hendy supported by the Community Council Development Officer were one of the first to ensure that local people were fully supported in their health and wellbeing. I cannot believe what has been achieved in such a short time with very little funding. Support in the way of providing food, hot meals, joining community together, ensuring no one is left out, a credit to the Officer and to the community for all the work that has been achieved. If it wasn’t for the drive and enthusiasm people within the communities mentioned could feel isolated and lonely. Amazing work everyone.
Jackie Dorrian – Health & Wellbeing Officer – CAVS
(Jackie’s support has been invaluable throughout the pilot project with focus on governance, funding and health and wellbeing).
The Hubs project has allowed for greater freedom in encouraging and delivering community projects. It has been a truly inclusive process, where groups, and individuals have been able to contribute to a host of new initiatives. The hubs have also created great legacies including physical assets like the totems and infographics, a baseline of community information and of course its legacy will be that it encouraged more social interaction and volunteering opportunities.
One lesson taken from this is that such a project needs a community-based driver (like the community council) to help coordinate the overall activity and which can respond quickly as needs and opportunities change.
How have we helped achieve the outcomes of the LAH project?
- Alleviated social isolation – The above projects have helped to alleviate isolation and have tried to reach people in a variety of ways – open air, virtual, in print, by delivering bags of joy – with reminders that people had not been forgotten and that there was/is still support out there.
- New and improved services in the community – things like the art club, catchup with the kiddies, Tycroes Trekkers and Friends of Tycroes Parks are all new social initiatives for our area. Projects such as the public art totems, the planters, the infographics and the asset register have also provided new services in terms of information and encouraging local pride.
- Increased skills and knowledge within the community – the Hub funding has enabled people to discover more about their areas, undertake training and informal learning – gardening skills, artistic skills, environmental work etc.
- Intergenerational activity – projects like the gardening clubs and art club have encouraged intergenerational activity.
- New friendships and relationships locally – people have definitely made new contacts and friends through the volunteering aspects of the projects.
- Enhanced community environment both aesthetically and ecologically – several projects have befitted the environment – from the planters to the Friends of Tycroes Parks, Hendy Nature Trail, the fairy village, and the totems – all will have a legacy of improving the environment in one way or another.
- Increased sense of pride and belonging – the infographics, newsletters and totems have all helped improve a sense of belonging and pride, but more fundamentally, more residents are volunteering in the respective hubs.
The COVID-19 pandemic did have an impact, but we looked for the opportunities – more outdoor working, better communications, a variety of media etc. It also saw us work with new volunteers to help our community through the pandemic and these wonderful Covid volunteers (around 30 active individuals) are now part of a volunteer network for the hubs.
Ruth Taylor-Davies, Community Development Officer. Llanedi Community Council
This community action hub pilot project took place between July 2020 and December 2021. £10, 500 was allocated to the Ward with each hub being able to access £3,500 each. Whilst many activities undertaken were hub specific, some are multi-hub offers to ensure inclusivity and support Ward cohesion and resilience.
