CROWDS gathered in Cwmamman Community Centre last Thursday (Aug 11) for an open day, at which residents were able to sign up to community education courses and for clubs, or to begin their own clubs.
The event and the courses and clubs are part of the process to reinstate the centre as a hub of any community activity and to develop community capacity.
Mayor of Cwmamman, Cllr Kevin Madge, said:
“Community education doesn’t only help improve the skills locally, it plays an important role in the social lives and personal well-being of the individuals that engage with it. In Cwmamman, we hope to provide access to enjoyable social activity and to support developing skills in equal measure. We have a number of excellent partner providers onboard and I am looking forward to the exciting times ahead.”
Over a period of time, the council have been working closely with their partner providers who include WEA Cymru, Coleg Sir Gar, Learn Direct and Swansea University (DACE). Through this, they will be able to ensure that the council can provide access to a broad range of topics. Due to their efforts, they are delighted to announce that they have found more partners, providing courses in needlecraft, history, counselling and woodcarving.
The council have also been working to ensure that there is a full range of levels of courses available, from entry level to part-time degree level qualifications, as this will ensure that all residents can access the service at a level appropriate to their needs. Due to the links that have been developed with key providers within the local area, the council are now in a position to support local residents in developing the skills that they need to move on to access higher level qualifications at colleges or universities.
Cwmamman Town Council recognises the role that education, skills and qualifications can play in a person’s life chances. They hope to work with their partner providers and local residents to ensure that they can provide access to a variety of courses.
Community Development Officer, Rob Venus, said: “Having worked in education for a number of years, this is a topic that is very close to my heart. I have seen first-hand the impact that a robust community education service can have on the lives of individuals and it has an important role to play as a stepping stone, a source of encouragement and confidence, for people to move forward into college and university.”
Some of the organisations that were at the event included the Alzheimer’s Society, Menter, Girl Guides, Army Cadets, Coleg Sir Gar, Swansea University and WEA Cymr u.
During the event. there were several activities for children, which included arts and crafts and a bouncy castle. which was a hit. Organisers were asking children about what they would like to see in the community. When asked this question by The Herald, responses included a museum, more swings and a skate park. Their parents gave ideas for art and craft and dance classes for children’s clubs. Food and refreshments were provided by local cafe, Pantycelyn.
Visitors to the event were positive about the event, as well as the future of the centre, when asked by The Herald.
Comments included: ‘It’s good’, ‘the bouncy castle is a hit’, ‘it has been well advertised but it could have done with a performance’.
A visitor told The Herald: “The food from Pantycelyn is lovely and it’s nice to see the children getting involved in activities. It’s nice to see things beginning to happen again.’’
“The turnout has been great – people have enjoyed seeing what is available and what is potentially available in the centre.”
Residents are encouraged to send their ideas of what they would like to see in the centre and within the community to Community Development Officer, Rob Venus, at [email protected].
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