A young people’s mental health charity in Pembrokeshire, a rugby club in Carmarthenshire and a church in Swansea are amongst the projects to receive support from the Welsh Government, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Jane Hutt has announced.

The funding is being provided through the Community Facilities Programme, a capital grant scheme which helps voluntary sector organisations make improvements to community facilities such as sports clubs and community halls for the benefit of the people they serve.

Megan’s Starr Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting young people’s mental health and tackling bullying, is to receive £20,000 to create a warm, welcoming coffee house in Pembrokeshire. They also offer essential mental health support to their community.

St Clears RFC will receive £25,077 to improve their current facilities such as pitch side fencing.

Capel Seion Congregational Church in Llanelli will be awarded £300,000 to redevelop their vestry building to include a kitchen, community café, meeting rooms, podcast studio and accessible toilets.

Goleudy Housing and Support will use £300,000 to create a community hub in their building, providing a space suitable for their support service and a community garden.

The Social Justice Secretary visited the Parish of Casllwchwr and Gorseinon in Swansea recently where £300,000 funding will be vital in redesigning and repurposing the historic church building to create a multi-purpose community space.

Rev’d Dr Adrian Morgan, Vicar of St Catherine's in Gorseinon said: "I’m delighted that Government can see the benefit of centres like these to support community based intergenerational activities, reduce loneliness and isolation for both young and old alike, and help communities strengthen their sense of place and be a welcoming place for all." 

Jane Hutt said:

“The Community Facilities Programme is important in helping organisations improve facilities so local people can benefit from them in their day to day lives.

“Each recipient of support from the programme provides a crucial service to the people they serve and it is great the Welsh Government is able to help them do even more.”