Vital Signs Wales 2016
CONTENTS Introduction 5 Tackling Disadvantage & Exclusion
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Housing & Homelessness 8 Health 10 Vital Conversation: Ely 12 Rurality and Transport 16 Crime & Safety 18 Vital Conversation: Bro Aberffraw 20 Education & Learning 24 Strong Communities 26 Work & Local Economy 28 Vital Conversation: Mid Rhondda 30 Arts, Culture & Heritage 34 Environment 36 How you can make a difference 38
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Community Foundation in Wales thanks our partners, supporters and everyone who has given their time to participate in our focus groups and respond to our community survey. Your insights and reflections have given us a unique glimpse into communities the length and breadth of Wales.
The Vital Signs trademark is used with permission from Community Foundations of Canada, our partner and supporter in Vital Signs.
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Welcome to Vital Signs Wales 2016, Wales’s first guide to matching needs with philanthropy.
The Community Foundation in Wales walks alongside people who want to make a difference in communities across Wales. We match donors and do-ers, helping people who are philanthropic - in families, businesses and charitable trusts - to give effectively and to make the impact they are committed to achieving. Our mission statement confirms our faith that communities create solutions based on their needs. And our ambition is to build our endowment - a sustainable source of charitable funding to support innovative, responsive and inspiring people, projects and charities. Vital Signs is a global project, run by community foundations which listen to, understand and appreciate the communities in which they work on behalf of their clients. It takes the temperature of how our communities are faring, and asks people across Wales what’s working and where we could all prioritise our actions – be these actions personal, professional or philanthropic. Dovetailing with our recent publication ‘A Portrait of Philanthropy in Wales’, and featuring examples of recent Community Foundation in Wales grants, Vital Signs highlights examples of community need and action, helping us all to give, and to give better.
Thank you for your interest in the work of the Community Foundation in Wales.
Core themes Tackling Disadvantage and Exclusion Education and Learning Housing and Homelessness Strong Communities Health Work and Local Economy Rurality Arts, Culture and Heritage Crime and Safety Environment
We also asked volunteers and community leaders from all sectors across Wales about the key issues in their communities. Four focus groups, three with community representatives in Ely (Cardiff ), Mid-Rhondda (Rhondda Cynon Taff ) and Bro Aberffraw (Anglesey), and one with the Social Responsibility Officers of the Church in Wales yielded some fascinating insights into community priorities. We present a snapshot of the feedback we received in the Vital Conversation sections of this report. Finally, we carried out a community survey which received over 300 individual responses, with people rating their communities across our ten core themes, according to the grades below.
Methodology Our Vital Signs programme has several elements to it. We looked at statistical data, reports and consultations from government sources, both UK and Welsh Government, statutory agencies and third sector organisations across our ten core themes. We present a summary of our key data findings in this report.
A B C D E
Everything is great Things are going well The situation is OK Things aren’t going very well Things are going very badly
A summary of the findings from the survey can be found in each themed section of this report.
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TACKLING DISADVANTAGE AND EXCLUSION When it comes to income inequality, Wales has the narrowest gap between rich and poor in the UK. However this disguises the fact that Wales is a low income nation with the highest proportion of adults and children living below the poverty line in the UK. Work is still the best route out of poverty but increasing in-work poverty means many working households are finding it tough to cover all their essential needs. Children growing up in poorer communities are less likely to do well at school and are more likely to have worse health outcomes over their lifetime. Social isolation, loneliness and the cost of fuel are also mounting concerns in a nation with the highest proportion of people of pensionable age in the UK.
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the current picture of Tackling Disadvantage and Exclusion in Wales as “C, the Situation is OK”.
16% of people
AGED 65 OR OVER live in poverty compared to a UK average of
13%
31%
OF CHILDREN
386,000 the number of households estimated to be
LIVING IN FUEL POVERTY
23% of the population
LIVE IN POVERTY THE HIGHEST OF ANY UK NATION Joseph Rowntree Foundation identified that
285,000 people are in
LOW INCOME WORKING FAMILIES HIGHER THAN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN LOW INCOME NON-WORKING FAMILIES (275,000)
are living in poverty a higher proportion than any other UK nation
People in Monmouthshire live on average
UK AVERAGE IS 27%
than people in neighbouring Blaenau Gwent.
Children on free school meals are
4.3 YEARS LONGER
TWO & A HALF TIMES
less likely to achieve in school
20%
52%
of children on free school meals
of children not on free school meals
ACHIEVE 5 GCSES A* - C
ACHIEVE 5 GCSES A* - C
including in English/Welsh & Maths
including in English/Welsh & Maths
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Levels of deprivation in Wales
%
Denbighshire
Swansea
Neath Port Talbot
Bridgend
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Merthyr Tydfil
Caerphilly
Blaenau Gwent
Newport
Cardiff
The Welsh index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) is made up of eight separate types of deprivation. Listed in order of weighting, they are as follows: Income (23.5%), Employment (23.5%), Health (14%), Education (14%), Access to Services (10%), Community Safety (5%), Housing (5%) and Physical Environment (5%). The graph shows local authorities which have more than 10 per cent of their small areas in the most deprived 10 per cent in Wales for this overall indicator between 2005 and 2014. A change in rank for an area can be due to changes in that area itself, or to other areas moving up or down the ranks. WIMD is the Welsh Government’s official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in Wales of approximately 1,600 people. It is designed to identify those small areas where there are the highest concentrations of several different types of deprivation.
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Giving every child the chance to participate in community life. Making extra-curricular activities such as arts, music and sports affordable to children from low-income families removes barriers to participation.
Enriching people’s lives, building confidence and nurturing aspiration. Providing bursaries, supporting work experience, and funding outdoor adventure programmes and voluntary work can increase social mobility, expand horizons, and give people with dreams an important leg-up.
Providing immediate relief to those in need. Foodbanks have proliferated over recent years and provide a vital lifeline to thousands of people across Wales, offering food and advice but also emotional support to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Money advice services and access to affordable finance through Credit Unions can also help people break the cycle of debt.
Helping people grow old with dignity and respect. Luncheon clubs, tea dances and befriending programmes reduce isolation and loneliness for older people. Projects which focus on income maximisation and ensuring older people have the resources to survive the winter months can also have a huge impact on the quality of life of people over the age of 65.
Rhondda Foodbank provides a vital lifeline to over 2,000 families in the Rhondda Valleys relieving hunger through the provision of nutritious food parcels. More than just a place to get something to eat, the volunteers also offer important wrap-around services, including debt advice and a jobs club. Perhaps most important, though, is the emotional support they provide to some of the most vulnerable people in the community. Many of these people are socially isolated and suffer from mental health problems. Taking the time to listen, to care and to offer reassurance, can be a key first step to getting someone’s life back on track.
Building on its purpose to create a bridge between Wales and beyond, the new Wales in London Philanthropic Fund provides a sustainable source of funding to support enterprising students, entrepreneurs and the people of Wales, to achieve their ambitions. The Fund will help support post graduate studies, scholarships, business bursaries,work experience and career development. Beneficiaries are then encouraged to give back themselves, perpetuating a cycle of philanthropy.
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HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS Homelessness
In Wales there is a higher percentage of owner occupied properties than in England, with fewer people renting. House prices, too, are on average more affordable than in England. However, in some parts of Wales house prices are outstripping earnings, making it difficult for people to get on the housing ladder. More and more people are being pushed into the private rental market, which has doubled over recent years. The latest data indicates that the official number of homeless households fell 11% over the last year. Yet there is real concern about the number of people who are ‘hidden’ homeless – the sofa surfers and rough sleepers – and the damaging effect homelessness has on health and mortality.
38.5 PER 10,000 HOUSEHOLDS is the Wales average of households officially recognised as homeless Swansea has the highest rate -
75.9 PER 10,000 HOUSEHOLDS Is this the full picture of homelessness in Wales? The homelessness charity Crisis reports that… of homeless people do not show up in official statistics
62%
And that homelessness has serious effects on health and mortality…
47 IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF DEATH FOR A HOMELESS PERSON 43 FOR A HOMELESS WOMAN
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the current picture of Housing and Homelessness in Wales as “C, the Situation is OK”.
Homeless people are… times more likely to die from alcohol related conditions
7-9
£150,000
20
times more likely to die from drugs overdoses.
IS THE AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE IN WALES £91,000 LOWER THAN THE ENGLAND & WALES AVERAGE OF
£241,000 67.5% of people own their own homes in Wales, higher than the England & Wales average of 63.6% 08
6.82
is the ratio of average house prices to average earnings in Wales
LOWER THAN THE ENGLAND AND WALES AVERAGE OF 8.85
5,070 households officially recognised as homeless
2,050 households in temporary accommodation
97%
of owner-occupiers are satisfied with their accommodation, compared with
90%
of those in private rented accommodation and
83%
of those who were in social housing.
Least Affordable
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Housing Affordability
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House prices in rural areas are on average 26% higher than in urban areas. In rural Monmouthshire houses cost more than twice as much to buy as those in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
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Based on a house price to earnings ratio, house prices in Blaenau Gwent are more than twice as affordable as those in Ceredigion.
Most Affordable
4 2 0 Blaenau Gwent
Merthyr Tydfil
Neath Port Talbot
Powys
Pembroke Ceredigion -shire
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Ensuring older people are able to live in dignity in their own homes. With an average 1,500 excess winter deaths a year in Wales, programmes which help older people stay warm, safe and secure in their own homes will improve their quality of life, and ultimately save lives.
Providing immediate shelter and support to vulnerable homeless people. In addition to dealing with urgent basic needs, targeting funding to projects which tackle the root causes of homelessness, and offer emotional support and practical advice, can help people get their lives back on track.
Emmaus, Bridgend Emmaus communities help homeless people to help themselves – and others. A global movement with 25 communities in the UK, the Emmaus charity in Bridgend has been operating a social enterprise collecting and re-selling donated household goods. Thanks to business income, donations and fundraising, the charity will soon welcome 23 homeless people, providing meaningful work, a home, and a sense of community and purpose for as long as they need to help them move on from homelessness.
Preventing homelessness and supporting affordable housing. Strategic interventions such as advice, advocacy, and tenancy support prevent homelessness. Housing co-operatives, land trusts and community self-build projects create and perpetuate affordable housing, particularly in rural areas.
Helping homeless people turn their lives around through education, training and enterprise. Homelessness charities help people take those first important steps into employment by building up their confidence and developing vocational skills. Even small things like getting someone to a job interview by paying for travel costs, or buying someone a new pair of shoes so they can impress a potential employer, can have a long-term impact on reducing homelessness.
Care & Repair, Neath Port Talbot One of twenty-two local Care & Repair organisations throughout Wales undertaking housing maintenance and minor repair services for older people on low incomes, the work of Care & Repair volunteers enables older people to continue to live in their homes. It is particularly valued for making it safe and manageable for people to return home after having been in hospital.
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HEALTH Where you live may not determine your health outcomes. Nonetheless, you are statistically more likely to have poor health if you live in the most deprived communities in Wales. The average life expectancy across the nation is just under a year lower than the England and Wales average. Yet people living in the poorest communities can live for almost a decade less than people in more affluent areas. Self reported health is not only poorer than England but also worse than any region of England. Poor health not only impacts quality of life but has a knock-on effect for employment and economic growth.
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the current picture of Health in Wales as “C, the Situation is OK”.
9 YEARS is the
average life expectancy gap for men between the
MOST and LEAST DEPRIVED DEPRIVED communities in Wales
Overweight or obese in Wales:
58% of adults
26% 12% OF ADULTS
of children
report being treated for a
MENTAL ILLNESS
1 IN 4
are likely to experience some form of
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE IN A YEAR
32%
report that they consume the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables, down from 36% in 2008
34%
report that they are not physically active on any days
21%
of adults smoke, down from
27%
a decade ago
14.2% of young carers who register
50+ CARING HOURS PER WEEK
91% 10
of people were satisfied with the care they received from their GP at their last visit
in Wales report that that their health was
‘NOT GOOD’
That’s 4.4 times the percentage of young people who have no caring responsibilities
Health Indicators by Health Board area
Smokers Physically active on no days Overweight or obese Eating 5 fruit & veg a day Heavy (binge) drinking
20% 17% 19% 21% 21% 23% 22% 21% 31% 28% 31% 38% 33% 39% 35% 34% 57% 59% 58% 58% 52% 64% 60% 58% 35% 35% 37% 29% 33% 28% 31% 32% 24% 21% 22% 26% 27% 27% 26% 25%
Betsi Cadwalader Powys Hywel Dda Abertawe Bro Morgannwg
Cardiff & Vale Cwm Taf Aneurin Bevan Wales
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Educating parents and children about healthy living. Empowering parents to take responsibility for their family’s health is vitally important. Family centres develop key parenting skills and through healthy cooking classes can help parents to make better decisions about what they and their children eat.
Encouraging active lifestyles. Supporting grass roots sports and organisations which develop an appreciation of the outdoors, such as walking groups, brownies, sea cadets, and forest schools can get people of all ages fit and active.
Squirrel’s Nest Men’s Shed, Bridgend The Squirrel’s Nest Men’s Shed, a charity based on an industrial park in Tondu near Bridgend, appears from the outside to be simply a wood workshop, but it’s so much more than that! Based on an Australian model, it’s really a purposeful gathering place for men of all ages to meet, work alongside each other, and feel comfortable talking. Most importantly, the Squirrel’s Nest doesn’t make the members feel that they’re part of a mental health project, simply a friendship group that can take part in mutually enjoyable activities.
Reducing the strain on young carers. Helping young people to share their problems, develop friendships and get support from other people in similar situations can alleviate some of the burden of caring for a family member. Peer support networks are particularly important in rural areas for tackling social isolation.
Ensuring people with mental health problems receive the support they need. Charities are often the front line in mental health support and ensuring that drop-in facilities are accessible allows people to get the support they need, when they need it. Mental health charities have also been at the forefront of advocating for people with mental health issues and working to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness.
Rainbow Women’s Group, Vale of Glamorgan Rainbow Women’s Group organises walks, yoga and aerobics sessions for women who currently take no or little exercise and who are prone to suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and other preventable illnesses due to a lack of physical activity. The sessions are free, sensitive to the needs of women from all backgrounds, and are enthusiastically attended by women of diverse ages, cultures and ethnicities.
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VITAL CONVERSATION: ELY, CARDIFF Ely is a community of 8,600 people based in the west of Cardiff, approximately four miles from the city centre. Our conversation with the people of Ely took the form of a focus group with local residents, volunteers and community leaders, alongside our community survey. The feedback and comments cited here reflect the views and opinions of local people. This gives a snapshot of what they told us about community life where they live – this is what it feels like for them.
PRIORITY ISSUES Health People in Ely are concerned that local health services are overstretched and that there are fewer health visitors. They feel that there should be more information provided on what is happening to local health care provision. Residents reported problems with child obesity which has led to some children being bullied. Whilst there is a local mental health drop-in service on a Thursday, some think that there needs to be more provision so that people can get the support when they need it.
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Education & Learning Primary schools are well regarded but the local high school is closing, which means children will have to switch to a new ‘super school’ which is further away. Parents are concerned about travel times and bigger class sizes, as well as the impact the closing of a school will have on community life. There is a strong feeling that young people need to be better educated about important life skills, and that too many people are getting into debt or involved with drugs and anti-social behaviour.
Employment & Local Economy Many local people are working, but not necessarily feeling the benefits of work. In-work poverty is a problem, and there is a growing mindset that work doesn’t pay. Residents believe that locally there isn’t much work, and what what is available, is often zero hours or minimum wage employment. Many of these jobs also have exclusivity clauses which means there is no guarantee of work, and employees are not able to supplement their hours through additional employment. Ely has some of the highest levels of economic inactivity in Wales and there is a sense that worklessness has become a generational phenomenon.
Arts, Culture & Heritage There are some excellent local programmes which are making access to arts and culture affordable and accessible. For example, the Sherman 5 programme, which is funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, has proved popular with local residents and provides free and subsidised access to performances at Sherman Theatre. The programme also recognises that transport can be a real barrier to access, so free organised transport is also provided.
Environment The Council’s refuse collection changes are proving unpopular at this early stage, and there is concern that this will lead to more rubbish on the streets. There is a feeling that the council could do more to look after local parks. However, there are some excellent volunteer organisations which take a real pride in looking after their community and work hard to keep the green areas of Ely clean, attractive and accessible to residents. An aspiration expressed by Ely residents was to have a park with more facilities and amenities to rival that of nearby communities such as Victoria Park.
Strong Communities People are clearly proud to live in Ely, and it has a fantastic community spirit. Volunteers make a huge difference running junior football teams,
maintaining parks, arranging day trips for older residents and organising community events such as the annual ELYmpics, which brings together children from all the primary schools in Ely for a fun sports day.
Disadvantage & Exclusion Local residents are concerned about the number of people experiencing in-work poverty, working long hours and getting nothing out of it. Statistically, Ely scores poorly when it comes to employment, education and health and many of the issues raised are inter-related. The community has played a central role in transforming external perceptions of Ely and people’s self-perceptions about what they can achieve. Whilst people in Ely are aware of the social and economic problems in their community, they don’t ‘live the statistics’. There is a real positivity about changing the community for the better by getting people active and involved, building confidence and addressing local issues together.
Transport Ely is by no means a rural area and statistics show that it has good access to services. Yet people in Ely feel that they share some of the same problems as rural areas when it comes to transport, especially around the cost of travel. Whilst competition has recently led to a reduction in bus prices, there’s a two bus mentality – if it takes two busses to get
somewhere, it’s not worth it. For people on the minimum wage, travel is prohibitive – it’s disheartening to lose your first hour’s pay on the bus fare, especially when many local people only have part-time hours.
Housing and homelessness People without children are a low priority for housing and ‘sofa surfing’ is a hidden problem. Housing insecurity is a real concern amongst the residents of Ely, and some shared their stories about their fears of homelessness and the effect this had on their mental wellbeing. Increasingly, people are being forced to rent privately, which is more expensive and can place a real strain on individuals and families on low incomes.
Crime and safety There is a high perception of crime locally, but a feeling that other communities in Cardiff fare worse. Some older residents reported being afraid to be out of their homes late at night. Although there is a good relationship with local Police Community Support Officers, the closure of Council funded youth clubs has led to more kids on the streets, and there is a concern that anti-social behaviour is going to get worse as a result. There was a feeling that Ely is a tolerant community but that sometimes people put up with stuff they don’t like because they have grown up with it and have become used to it.
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HOW THE COMMUNITY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Ely is a thriving community with an excellent culture of community action. A hub of the community is Action Ely & Caerau (ACE), the local community development charity, which is a place for people to come together to learn, to socialise and to volunteer. ACE’s time banking initiative has been particularly successful. Ely Garden Villagers was formed by local residents who came together to oppose the development of their local playing field. After a successful campaign the group now runs junior football teams on the playing fields and organises family fun days, litter picks and an annual bonfire evening. For older people in Ely, the community group Liberty provides a vital lifeline, reducing isolation by running day trips and opportunities to socialise and build friendships.
The residents of Ely take a real pride in maintaining their local environment. Friends of Mill Park, is a group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to rejuvenate a local park and return it to community use. It is now a place for children and families to relax and play. The volunteers maintain the park all year round involving children in litter picking, gardening and arts-based projects.
Case Study Making Music Changing Lives is an innovative charity which brings music to the children of Ely. Founded by the local Vicar and former professional violinist Rev. Jan Gould, the project is based on the El Sistema model, which transformed the lives of street children in Venezuela. It works in partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to offer children the chance to learn an instrument, be part of a community orchestra and experience regular live music performances. The students from the college act as musical mentors to the children helping them to develop confidence, focus and ambition. Jan was recently awarded a Point of Light Award by the Prime Minister in recognition of her work in establishing this pioneering charity.
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“We are proud that Ely has its own youth orchestra.”
“Crime and Safety has improved lots due to the hard work and commitment by community members.”
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RURALITY One in three people in Wales live in rural communities. Powys, the largest local authority in Wales by area size, covers 25% of the landmass of Wales but has only 4% of the total population. Whilst the natural beauty and tranquillity of rural Wales is one of our nation’s key assets, rurality also brings its own issues for people living in these communities. Earnings are on average lower than in urban areas and house prices are less affordable. Transport, access to services and employment, and social isolation are also key issues, as is the fact that many of the people with acute needs are often ‘hidden’ from official statistics. Identifying those most in need of support presents additional challenges for charities and community groups operating in rural areas.
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the current picture of Rurality in Wales as “C, the Situation is OK”.
85% of Wales is rural
49% 43%
of rural communities have access to a general store of rural communities have a post office
Average earning for full-time employees in
46%
67% of rural local authorities are below the Wales average
of people in rural areas rate public transport as good
POWYS
Of all rural issues, public transport is the issue people are most concerned about
has the lowest average full-time earnings in Wales at
£472 A WEEK
17% of rural communities do not have a bus service on any day of the week
“Access depends on being able to catch a bus. Access to all services in Mid Wales is poor, difficult and patchy. We are discriminated against because of our geographical location and sparsity of population.” Vital Signs Survey Respondent
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£425 MILLION IS BEING SPENT BY WELSH GOVERNMENT TO ROLL-OUT SUPERFAST BROADBAND TO 96% OF WALES BY 2016
Access to services in Wales Wales Average Conwy Denbighshire Monmouthshire Carmarthenshire Gwynedd Anglesey Pembrokeshire Ceredigion Powys
This graph shows the local authorities with the highest proportion of small areas in the most deprived ten percent in Wales for access to services. The Welsh index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) is the Welsh Government’s official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in Wales of approximately 1,600 people. It is designed to identify those small areas where there are the highest concentrations of several different types of deprivation. The access to services domain measures travel times to 9 services, typically considered necessary for day-to-day day living, using private transport and public transport.
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Ensuring vulnerable people in rural communities receive care and support.
Helping people access key services.
Outreach services run by charities are effective at identifying the often hidden needs in rural communities and delivering key services to the elderly, young carers, people with mental health issues and those experiencing problems with addiction.
For people who don’t have their own car, accessing key services can be a real problem, particularly for people with disabilities and older people. Community-run transport initiatives are an effective means of ensuring that people can access hospitals and GPs, as well as leisure and recreation activities.
Building stronger rural communities
Supporting the rural economy.
Supporting community initiatives which bring people together enables communities to thrive. Community halls, village festivals, newsletters and local websites enable people to get involved in community life and know what’s going on.
As many rural services have closed over recent years, communityrun shops, pubs and libraries have shown the resilience and enterprise of local volunteers and ensured that services which are vital to the fabric of community life are maintained.
O Ddrws I Ddrws, Llyn Peninsula
Cwmni Nod Glas Cyf, Gwynedd
This much valued local project was set up in response to a survey of elderly residents on the Llyn Peninsula who identified transport as a real problem for them. There is very limited public transport available in the area, and so people living off these bus routes, and people with disabilities, find it difficult to travel which can lead to loneliness and not being able to get to key services. O Ddrws I Ddrws runs an ‘on call’ door to door service of cheap, flexible transport for elderly and immobile locals, as well as a valuable transport service for voluntary and community groups.
Small, rural villages form the backdrop of many people’s lives in Wales, but an idyllic setting can cause daily challenges. Cwmni Nod Glas Cyf, based in Dinas Mawddwy in Gwynedd, has renovated a disused building to set up a community hub in a village where a number of shops and amenities have closed over recent years. This social enterprise has breathed new life into an old village shop which now contains a cafe, office facilities, two small flats for local residents and a hairdressing salon. The new community hub also has a gallery for local artists and craft producers to display and sell their work.
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CRIME AND SAFETY Overall crime in Wales is lower than in England, but across Wales people’s experiences of crime vary depending on where they live, with rural communities having substantially lower crime rates. The crime rate in Cardiff, for example, is almost three times that of rural Ceredigion. In some communities the perception of crime is worse than what the statistics report, but the fear of crime, whether real or perceived, can have a detrimental impact on people’s feelings of safety. Violent crime is slightly above the England and Wales average, but not significantly so. Around 53% of violent crime offences are thought to be linked to alcohol. With 8.5% of women reporting that they have been the victim of domestic violence in the last year, innovative efforts by Welsh domestic violence charities to establish a domestic violence hotline, the first in the UK, addresses an issue which has been bubbling under for years and which is only now beginning to be properly addressed.
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the current picture of Crime & Safety in Wales as “C, the Situation is OK”.
1,809 HATE CRIMES
58 OFFENCES PER THOUSAND of the population, lower than the England & Wales average of
61 PER THOUSAND OVER THE LAST DECADE TOTAL OFFENCES HAVE FALLEN BY 43%
2.42
burglaries per thousand of the population, lower than the England & Wales average of
3.59
12.44
violent crimes per thousand of the population, higher than the England & Wales average of
12.09
were identified in a 12 month period
76%
76% were race hate crimes
13%
13% were homophobic hate crimes
8%
8% were disability hate crimes
3%
3% were religious/faith hate crimes
111,243
incidents of anti-social behaviour reported in the last year, that’s 36 PER 1,000 of the population, similar to the overall England and Wales average
47 INCIDENTS PER 1,000 PEOPLE Gwent had the highest rate of anti-social behaviour recorded of any police force area
7,564 DELIBERATE FIRES WERE STARTED IN 2013-14 56% OF THESE WERE OUTDOOR FIRES In two weeks in April 2015 South Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended to 473 grass fires. Most were deliberately started. 18
Total Offences per 1,000 of the population 100 90 80 70 60 50
Total Offences by local authority area
40 30 20
Wales average
10 0 Blaenau Gwent
Cardiff
Merthyr Tydfil
Newport
Swansea
Torfaen
Wrexham
The graph shows local authorities where total offences per thousand people are above the Wales average
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Supporting diversionary youth activities. Projects which give young people somewhere to go where they can have fun with their friends, play sport, or be part of a club, help to keep them off the streets, and can help reduce the problem of anti-social and nuisance behaviour at key times.
Enabling local people to improve their communities. Neighbourhood Watch groups and community organisations which empower people to take a sense of pride and ownership over public spaces, can help deter crime and anti-social behaviour.
Helping ex-offenders reintegrate into the community.
Ensuring that people receive treatment and support for addiction.
Programmes which provide accommodation, training and work opportunities help nurture people’s potential and give them a second chance. Micro finance loans and grants to help people set up their own businesses or become self employed are increasingly shown to be effective in reducing re-offending.
Charities which provide treatment services for addiction recognise that keeping people off drugs and alcohol over the long-term is the key challenge. Diversionary activities can be an effective means of occupying the space which drugs and alcohol once filled and helping people develop a new purpose and direction in life.
Torfaen Women’s Aid, Torfaen
Duffryn Community Link, Newport
Operating a drop-in centre where women facing domestic abuse can call in for a chat and advice, this charity also runs two refuges and gives one-to-one support to over 1,800 women a year. Recognising how harmful it can be for children in these situations - in the short and the longterm – Torfaen Women’s Aid offers support and counselling for children, as well as a programme of activities during weekends and school holidays.
This community development charity tackles youth disengagement in the Duffryn area of Newport. Its Friday night youth club runs workshops giving guidance and support on issues relevant to young people, along with sports and other activities which takes young people off the streets at a time when anti-social behaviour is at its highest. Working with the local police, the project has helped reduce anti-social behaviour whilst developing young people’s confidence and ability to make better, more informed, life choices.
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Education & Learning
VITAL CONVERSATION: BRO ABERFFRAW, ANGLESEY Bro Aberffraw is a cluster of villages on the rural south side of the Isle of Anglesey with a population of approximately 5,000. Our conversation with the people of Bro Aberffraw took the form of a focus group with local residents, volunteers and community leaders from all sectors, alongside a community survey. The feedback and comments cited here reflect the views and opinions of local people. This gives a snapshot of what they told us about community life where they live – this is what it feels like for them.
PRIORITY ISSUES Education & Learning Plans to close a number of small village primary schools and create one ‘super school’ are unpopular and local people are concerned about the impact this will have on community life as schools often double up as community centres. There is a fear that adult learning classes will be lost and that educational attainment will be affected– these small schools get good results.
Rurality & Transport Public transport provision is patchy and expensive, and residents find that
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in most parts of this community there are no buses after 6pm. Transport is a central issue which has a domino effect on many aspects of community life in Bro Aberffraw. It is a particular problem for people getting to work – and sometimes even getting to a job interview - and also for those attending medical appointments, leisure activities, further education and childcare.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Because of its rural location, people have to travel relatively long distances to get to arts and cultural events, although there are village film nights in Dwyran, and the
Bodorgan WI have held painting classes. The area does have a rich cultural and natural heritage, and there is a strong feeling that more needs to be made of these local assets, not just as an opportunity for education and employment, but also for stronger local community pride and engagement. The Llys Rhosyr Medieval Prince’s Court, the ruins of which are near Newborough, is currently being re-imagined at St Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff, and thanks to the work of charity Geo Môn, the uniqueness of Anglesey’s geology has been recognised by UNESCO.
Disadvantage & Exclusion Although Bro Aberffraw does not have statistically high levels of poverty, the demand on its rural food bank paints a different picture. Many homes are dependent on oil for their heating, which can be more expensive than gas and can place financial strains on people on low incomes during the winter months. Parents and teenagers are concerned about the lack of out of school activities and clubs for young people to attend regularly. Local people worry about older people feeling lonely, and about a sense that those living in Bro Aberffraw feel that the natural splendours of their blue flag beaches and forests are somehow not for them.
Housing & Homelessness There is a lack of social housing and this leads to many young people leaving Anglesey in search of jobs and housing in other parts of Wales. However, the tranquillity of Bro Aberffraw is one of the reasons people enjoy living there and too much housing development could have a negative impact. Local opposition to the closure of the public toilets and associated car parking in the village of Newborough, with a plan to build new homes on the site, is an example of how complex the balance of planning can be.
Crime and Safety Bro Aberffraw has a low crime rate and there is visible presence of police community support officers. Traffic is relatively calm. In one area where there was a problem with speeding, the community successfully campaigned for a new 40mph limit. The speed warning sign there has now broken, though, and there is no money to fix it.
Health Locals say there is a problem with underage drinking, and this is coupled with the realisation that cuts to youth services will make the matter worse. Accessing health services is an issue for people without private transport, and there is concern about ambulance waiting times.
Strong Communities Beacon groups, clubs and facilities underpin community life in Bro Aberffraw, but limited transport and small population clusters make the distances between these physically and metaphorically far away.
Employment and Local Economy Anglesey has the lowest Gross Value Added (the value of goods and services produced) of any local authority in the UK. Although there have been excellent programmes to stimulate the local economy, often funded with European and Welsh Government grants, local people feel that there are few skilled and higher paid jobs, and worry about the lack of aspiration and opportunity for young people. Smaller Bro Aberffraw buisnesses such as Halen MĂ´n and the Marram Grass CafĂŠ have helped to raise the profile of the area and work opportunities for local people.
Environment Volunteers help with environmental initiatives as diverse as community planting schemes, maintaining the Wales coastal path, and protecting red squirrels. Renewable energy represents a big opportunity for Bro Aberffraw and the Isle of Anglesey, however, not everyone is supportive due to a perceived negative impact on the natural beauty of the island and the fact that the energy generated does not necessarily directly benefit local people.
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HOW THE COMMUNITY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
There is a strong culture of volunteering and of helping neighbours in Bro Aberffraw. Criw Niwbrwch Cyf formed ten years ago to renovate a disused church into a community centre, and has continued to organise leisure, sport and cultural activities at the heart of Newborough village. It has a weekly youth club, mothers and toddlers group, hosts WI meetings, and continues to be involved in all aspects of community life. Malltraeth Ymlaen is also a beacon community organisation which brings together its small, scattered rural communities , sharing energy, passion and facilities for everyone.
Locals give lifts to hospital appointments, run sports clubs, and organise community celebrations and events. In this rural area, the hubs of activity and facilities that the local schools provide are particularly important. People are worried about how they can compensate for this with planned school closures, and also recognise the need to get even more (and even more varied) people involved, joining in, and leading community activities.
Case Study
A new community project, Llyn Parc Mawr Community Woodland Group, is working with Natural Resources Wales to develop a plan to take on a 50 acre area of Newborough Forest. Two hundred people and seven organisations joined its community open day in August to sign up as volunteers, experience a Forest School in action, learn about the Red Squirrels Trust and take part in some traditional woodland management. Keen to build a sense of identity and ownership for the area, it is ensuring that the forest’s wildlife and woodlands are well looked after and accessible for the local community and visitors alike. Fledgling initiatives include exploring a bike hire enterprise in Newborough, and building a strong volunteer base to maintain the forest’s unique natural heritage.
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“If you don’t know something is happening, or if you can’t get there, then you can’t join in.”
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EDUCATION AND LEARNING The latest international survey of education standards shows that in Wales performance in core subjects is falling behind that of other nations, and that children are underperforming when compared to their peers in other parts of the UK. Raising attainment levels is essential but it is also important that young people develop emotional and linguistic intelligence, and have the confidence and opportunities to learn in family and community settings too. Youth clubs and drop-in services do important work in helping young people make informed decisions, particularly around debt, anti-social behaviour and alcohol and drugs misuse. Across Wales, one in five young people aged 19-24 are not in education, employment or training, higher than the UK average. Life-long learning can address the problems of adults lacking basic skills and older people being digitally excluded.
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the current picture of Education and Learning in Wales as “C, the Situation is OK�.
55.4%
of sixteen year olds in Wales achieved the target of 5 or more GCSEs A-C (or equivalent) including English/Welsh and Maths in 2014.
51.4% WERE BOYS 59.7% WERE GIRLS
9%
of adults in Wales possess no qualifications against a UK average of 8%
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10.9%
10.9% of 16-18 year olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET)
20.7% of 19-24 year olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET)
36%
36% of adults in Wales hold degree level (or equivalent) qualifications compared to a UK average of 38%
12% of adults have only entry level literacy skills (the standard expected for ages 5-7) or below
51%
20.7%
12%
51% of adults have only entry level numeracy skills (the standard expected for ages 5-7) or below
Local authorities below the Welsh average for pupils achieving KS 4 Level 2 (GCSE equiv 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths & English/Welsh) Wales average
60
% of students achieving target in each local authority
50
% 40
30
Isle of Angelsey
Wrexham
Pembroke -shire
Bridgend
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Merthyr Tydfil
Cardiff
Blaenau Gwent
Torfaen
Newport
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Supporting extra-curricular activities which build confidence and raise aspirations.
Encouraging life-long learning and helping people furthest away from the labour market.
Getting children involved in community projects such as orchestras, sports teams and after school clubs can provide that vital ‘education beyond the school gate’, which can improve focus, discipline and motivation in the classroom.
Funding community projects which develop literacy, numeracy, IT and vocational skills, benefits NEETs, carers, exoffenders and adults with physical and mental health support needs by increasing their employability.
Nurturing excellence and ambition.
Ensuring young people develop key life skills.
For students from low-income families, bursaries and scholarships can be the difference between going to university or not. Financial support, mentoring and coaching ensure that sporting and creative talents can be developed.
Children’s after school clubs and youth drop-in groups are particularly effective at getting children and young people off the streets and into a safe environment where they can have fun with their friends, and learn through play.
Digital Volunteers CIC, Torfaen
Plas Derw Trust, Flintshire
Digital Volunteers CIC deliver after-school coding clubs to a cluster of four schools where on average 31% of children receive free school meals. In partnership with Torfaen Communities First Digital Inclusion Team, and supported by Code Club UK and STEMNET, the company runs digital skills sessions to help young people develop the computer skills and confidence needed to excel in their studies and enter skilled employment after their school years.
Plas Derw Trust Ltd, based in North East Wales, work with local schools and organisations to provide forest school and environmental education to disadvantaged children, young people, and adults. Running a range of different programmes, the charitable company encourage sociability through fun activities that focus on sustainability and an understanding of the local and global natural world. Working with schools across Flintshire, the group also runs a coastal school and family learning sessions, developing team work and promoting learning out of school hours.
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STRONG COMMUNITIES People in Wales have a strong sense of belonging to their community, as demonstrated by the commitment of over 900,000 volunteers who underpin the work over 33,000 community organisations and charities. However with community facilities increasingly under threat of closure there are questions about the impact this may have on people’s ability to participate meaningfully in community life. There is added pressure on volunteers to play a greater role in the delivery of community services and a growing expectation on philanthropy to ‘plug the gaps’ and underpin local facilities such as libraries, leisure centres and youth services.
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the Strength of Communities in Wales as “C, the Situation is OK”.
79%
agree that people in their local area treat each other with respect and consideration
60%
of people give to charity, more than any other UK nation
33,000 the number of community organisations and charities across the nation
66%
was the turnout at the 2015 uk general election
42%
79%
was the turnout at the 2011 National Assembly for Wales election
believe that in their area local people from different backgrounds get on well together
36%
82%
of people feel that they belong to their local area down from 85% in the prior year
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was the turnout at the 2012 local council election
931,000 people volunteer or help out in community organisations
Bringing communities together through play The 10-year Fair Share Trust programme managed by the Community Foundation in Wales, walked alongside local people to strengthen communities on Anglesey through play. The programme had a panel of local residents who volunteered their time to advise on planning, priorities and grant-making. This capital investment created five ‘super playgrounds across the island, bringing communities together and consolidating the value, and joy, of play.
“ These local resources and engagement of the broader community have been very helpful in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.” - Local Police Officer
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The importance of community facilities for building a sense of belonging A key conclusion from the Wales We Want report, published in 2015, was that “Future Generations need thriving communities based on a strong sense of place”. Across Wales community centres, libraries, arts centres, toilets and youth clubs are closing or under threat of closure and this has led to more pressure on volunteers and philanthropy and will affect the ability of local people to engage meaningfully in community life.
“ Community and day centres are important for older people and others. These are places where older people can socialise, carry out activities, take up learning opportunities and volunteer. They play a pivotal role in combating social isolation and loneliness amongst older people.” - Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
Providing opportunities for people to get more involved in community life. Wales Council for Voluntary Action estimates that there are 211 million hours of volunteered time given each year, which has an estimated monetary value of £2.2 billion or 4.6% of Wales’ GDP. Funding volunteer costs, community centres, family and community events and local clubs are all ways of getting local people active and engaged.
Nurturing a sense of pride and ownership within communities. Across Wales there are thousands of excellent volunteer-led initiatives which bring people together to respond to local issues, such as neighbourhood watch groups, community orchestras and choirs, litter picks, friends of parks groups and community development organisations.
Funding grassroots community activities which tackle social isolation and anti-social behaviour. Older people’s clubs, and befriending projects are excellent ways of reducing loneliness and enabling older people to get active and have fun. Diversionary sports activities and youth clubs are proven ways of getting young people off the streets and into constructive activities which build confidence and self-esteem whilst instilling a sense of pride in their community and lead to a reduction in anti-social behaviour.
Friends of Pentre Gardens, Cardiff For many years Pentre Gardens was a dilapidated and under-used green space in the Grangetown area of Cardiff. Local volunteers changed that by bringing neighbours together to transform the park into a green space that everyone can enjoy, restoring a sense of pride in the community. Litter, dog mess and graffiti were removed and now families from all faiths and backgrounds unite through planting and play sessions run by volunteers.
Beaufort Community Hall, Blaenau Gwent After a successful campaign to oppose the closure of their community hall, local residents wasted no time in transforming the hall into a place which could bring the whole community together. A broad range of services and activities now run from the hall, including a Mother and Toddler group, dance sessions for adults and children, and a craft club. An over 50s exercise class and luncheon club help to reduce loneliness amongst older people in the community.
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WORK AND LOCAL ECONOMY The economy of Wales has changed significantly since the days when it powered the Industrial Revolution. Today many communities in Wales have some of the highest levels of unemployment in the United Kingdom. Wales is a low-wage economy and lags behind the rest of the UK in terms of the value of the goods and services it produces. The key challenges are boosting prosperity by reducing the productivity gap between Wales and the rest of the UK and attracting more highly skilled industries and jobs. Worklessness, zero hours contracts, and in-work poverty are challenges which impact on health and wellbeing, child poverty and educational attainment.
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the current picture of Work and Employment as “D, Things aren’t going well”; and Local Economy as “C, the situation is OK”.
£537
is the average full-time earnings per week in Wales
£83 lower than the UK average of £620 Average earnings in Cardiff are 22% higher than those in Powys
£16,893 the Gross Value Added
(the value of the goods and services produced in Wales)
per head in Wales is
72.2%
of the UK average and the lowest of all the nations in the United Kingdom and lower than any region of England
At 48.6% of the UK average, Anglesey has the lowest GVA in the UK
5.9%
the proportion of people unemployed in Wales, higher than the UK average of 5.6%
18.9%
of young people aged 16-24 are unemployed, higher than the British average of
16.5% 21.2%
is the economic inactivity rate (excluding students), higher than the UK average of 18.6%
9.1%
Wales has the lowest business closure rate per year in the UK
Neath Port Talbot (25.5%) has the highest rate of economic inactivity; Powys (15.8%) has the lowest.
12.8% OF PEOPLE CLAIM OUT OF WORK BENEFITS, A HIGHER PROPORTION THAN IN ENGLAND OR SCOTLAND 28
Economic Inactivity across Wales Wales average
30
Local authority
25 20 15 10 5 0 Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly Carmarthen -shire
Conwy
Denbigh -shire
Flintshire
Merthyr Tydfil
Neath Rhondda Port Talbot Cynon Taf
Torfaen
The graph shows the local authorities in Wales with levels of economic inactivity above the Wales average at 31st March 2015. The data is taken from the Annual Population Survey (APS) which is conducted quarterly by the Office for National Statistics. By excluding persons of pensionable age who are generally retired, and therefore economically inactive, and students, this gives a more appropriate measure of workforce inactivity.
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Supporting people into work.
Funding affordable childcare.
By focusing on projects which develop key skills and remove barriers to people finding employment, charities can help.
This can remove a major barrier to employment for low income families and enables parents to take those vital first steps into work, training, or learning.
Raising the confidence and aspirations of young people.
Supporting social enterprises.
Activities which mentor and encourage ambition and enterprise, develop leadership skills and push young people to broaden their horizons can help address the issue of high youth unemployment in parts of Wales.
Businesses which have a social purpose are a means of tackling social and environmental problems whilst offering routes into training and employment for people furthest removed from the labour market.
Vintage Vision, Torfaen
Moneypenny Foundation, Wrexham
This is a creative social enterprise based in Blaenavon which gives women the opportunity to develop confidence, new skills and access training and work experience, through sourcing, repairing and marketing vintage and retro clothing. Vintage Vision runs sewing workshops for individuals, schools and community organisations such as Brownies, Women’s Institutes and Housing Associations. Through its website, where clothes can be purchased online, the organisation has built a following across the UK and beyond, with orders growing year on year. Last year 34 women volunteered at Vintage Vision, all of whom gained experience, made new friends and developed confidence.
The charitable arm of the successful Moneypenny telephone answering service, the Moneypenny Foundation gives young unemployed people new opportunities in life and in work. It has created a six month traineeship with an intensive programme of skills and life training, with each of the participants gaining work experience at businesses in Wrexham. The programme develops trust, new experiences, confidence and ambition, and the five young women who took part in the pilot programme are all now in employment.
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VITAL CONVERSATION: MID RHONDDA, RHONDDA CYNON TAF Mid Rhondda is a cluster of communities with a total population of 20,000 centred around Tonypandy in the South Wales Valleys. Our conversation with the people of Mid Rhondda took the form of a focus group with community leaders and local volunteers, and a community survey. The feedback and comments cited here reflect the views and opinions of local people. This gives a snapshot of what they told us about community life where they live – this is what it feels like for them.
PRIORITY ISSUES Disadvantage & Exclusion There are high levels of poverty, with an increasing numbers of local residents dependent on foodbanks. There is also growing in-work poverty as people’s salaries are proving insufficient to cover all essential costs. There are worries about the closure of day centres and how this is impacting on people with dementia. Welsh Government’s Flying Start scheme provides free early years childcare for families in the most deprived communities, however, not all families in Mid Rhondda are eligible for this support.
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Employment & Local Economy Despite the work of a town centre forum, Tonypandy high street is run down, with many shops unoccupied. Unemployment is high in Mid Rhondda, and there are few local employers. Commuting to work is feasible, but public transport links need to improve and become more affordable.
Health Life expectancies are lower than other parts of Wales, with poor health linked to the generations of people who worked in the mines and heavy industry. Alcohol and substance misuse by young people is a source of concern, made worse by the fact that many youth centres have closed. A strong tradition of sports and social clubs, and work by local charities, is helping to address the social determinants of health inequality, particularly important as obsesity rates rise across Wales.
Education & Learning Plans to replace the local primary schools with one new ‘super school’ are causing concern, and there is a feeling that people weren’t properly consulted. Residents believe that attainment up to age 11 is broadly comparable with other communities, but that it deteriorates at GCSE level.
Rurality & Transport Although Mid Rhondda is not deemed to be a rural area, there is a strong feeling that the community suffers from some of the problems usually associated with rural areas, namely lack of facilities, poor broadband and transport issues – including poor services and high costs.
Arts, Culture & Heritage Brass bands are still going strong, and community groups do great work in stimulating arts projects such as drama classes, crafts workshops and woodworking. However, local people are concerned that fewer people these days are getting involved with cultural activities. People are also proud of the industrial heritage of Mid-Rhondda and there is a heritage map for Rhondda Cynon Taff. There was an ambition by local residents to renovate an old power station, called the Boiler House, and transform this into a community arts venue. However, progress has been slow and the energy behind this has largely dissipated.
Housing & Homelessness Housing is affordable in comparison to other parts of England and Wales, but with many people on low incomes it can still be difficult to get onto the housing ladder. There is increased private renting due to an under-supply of social housing. Local people feel that property developers are buying up lots of cheap properties and then becoming uninterested landlords. Homelessness is an issue with plenty of ‘sofa surfing’. Residents believe that homelessness charities tend to be more focussed on cities rather than the valleys.
Strong Communities There is a strong sense of neighbourliness, but there is concern that communities are becoming more fragmented as more people move in from outside the area and traditional family structures change. Locals attest to the fact that it is difficult to get new people to volunteer, saying it is often the same people behind community initiatives. Timebanking could be as successful as it has been in some other communities if the incentive rewards were varied, and some beacon community initiatives have been very successful at developing youth volunteers.
Crime and Safety Local people feel that anti-social behaviour is a big issue. There is a perception that crime is worse than it actually is ,and that it is easier for young people to get drugs. There is praise for the local authority’s Community Safety Team, concern that the relationship with the local police isn’t as strong as it could be, although in general people feel safer on the streets than they used to.
Environment There is a feeling that the local authority is doing a good job when it comes to recycling and that on-the-spot fines for littering and fly-tipping appear to be working, although there are some black spots.
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HOW THE COMMUNITY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Volunteers and grass-roots community initiatives play a major part in making Mid Rhondda a more vibrant place to live. Local social enterprise Cambrian Village Trust has developed a top flight 3G sports facility, providing training, football sessions and leisure activities for young people throughout the valley. Rhondda Sea Cadets has been running for 73 years and currently has over 30 cadets coming to weekly sessions where they learn to sail, work in a team and complete skills training that raises confidence and aspirations.
The communities of Mid Rhondda are surrounded by hills and countryside, which provide opportunities for recreation and enjoyment of the natural world. Friends of Cwmclydach Countryside Park is a group of volunteers which look after Mid Rhondda’s countryside park, creating a welcoming atmosphere and making sure the local community stays engaged and gets the most out of the park’s natural resources.
Case Study Trealaw Village Trust runs accessible and affordable activities to address issues facing people in Mid Rhondda. A recent mural project involved local residents and artists in making an underpass a brighter and friendlier place to walk through. Last Christmas a lantern parade brought the communities of Trealaw, Tonypandy and Penygraig together through a festive themed arts and crafts project. An intergenerational garden project is helping to build mutual respect between younger and older members of the community whilst teaching people gardening skills and the importance of fresh and healthy food. The Trust has also set up a small social enterprise called ‘Making It’. Running weekly craft sessions for people with physical and learning disabilities it works with local artists to help people create arts and crafts products which can be kept or sold to the local community. ‘Making It’ is about fun, purpose, contact, friends and confidence.
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“Philanthropy makes things happen, particularly when funding is scarce. A recently funded community mural brought the communities of Trealaw and Tonypandy together.�
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ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE Wales is blessed when it comes to arts and culture. From the national Eisteddfod to the famous male voice choirs of the south Wales valleys, not for nothing is Wales known as the land of song. With reputedly more castles per head than any other nation in Europe, Wales also has a distinct and cherished heritage. Around 20% of the population speak Welsh and in 2011 the language was awarded official status within Wales.
institutions such as Welsh National Opera and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama , as well as treasured local arts facilities such as Theatr Clwyd and the newly opened Pontio in Bangor. There is strong link between philanthropy and the arts too, perhaps best illustrated by the Davies Sisters, Margaret and Gwendoline, who bequeathed one of the UK’s finest collections of 20th Century art to the National Museum of Wales.
According to Baroness Kay Andrews OBE, who has recently written a report for Welsh Government looking into culture and poverty, “Culture and heritage still occupy a uniquely important role in our national life”. Artes Mundi, the UK’s biggest art prize is located in Wales, as are globally renowned
But not everyone is benefitting equally. People from the most deprived communities are less likely to visit an arts event, heritage site or museum. Yet there is a compelling case that cultural participation is integral to education, builds confidence and a sense of identity, and can be a tool for tackling poverty.
The highest proportion of respondents to our community survey rated the current picture of Arts, Culture & Heritage in Wales as “C, the Situation is OK”.
1.49%
150,000
Over people visited the Eisteddfod this year, a unique celebration of Welsh arts, culture and language
of people in Wales are employed in the creative industries, half the average of 3.02% for Great Britain
THERE ARE 6 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN WALES RANGING FROM CASTLES TO INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITES, AND INCLUDING THE FAMOUS PONTCYSYLLTE VIADUCT AND CANAL
IN THE LAST YEAR
58%
of people have been to an arts event
59%
have visited a historic place
39%
have been to a museum
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PEOPLE WITH POST SECONDARY EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS ARE
MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO VISIT AN ARTS EVENT AS THOSE WITH NO QUALIFICATIONS
PEOPLE LIVING IN THE LEAST DEPRIVED COMMUNITIES IN WALES ARE
44%
40%
26%
more likely to visit an arts event
more likely to visit a heritage site
more likely to visit a museum
THAN PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MOST DEPRIVED COMMUNITIES
Culture and Poverty Baroness Kay Andrews OBE was invited by Welsh Government to explore how culture and heritage could help reduce poverty and raise ambition. Her report concluded that:
“ No-one should lose their right to experience the lifelong pleasures and interests that a love of reading, music, art, and theatre brings. Neither should they feel that the history and heritage of Wales, held in our cultural institutions, is not for them.” Welsh Government has responded with a pilot programme called ‘Fusion: Tackling Poverty through Culture’ and is working with selected Communities First cluster areas in Swansea,
Wrexham, Gwynedd, Cardiff, Newport and Torfaen to transform the life chances of people through exposure to the arts, culture and the historic environment.
Research by the Arts Council of Wales identified the most popular art forms by attendance Cinema Live Music (not including classical/jazz/world) Carnival and Street Arts Plays Art/Craft Galleries or Exhibitions
50.4% 42.7% 38% 34.4% 31.8%
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Funding community arts initiatives as a way of inspiring young people, raising aspirations and reducing social isolation. Community music projects can instil sense of purpose, pride and ambition in children. Arts initiatives are also a proven way of getting the most vulnerable and isolated people in our communities to participate in community life, make friends and reduce loneliness and isolation.
Enabling access to culture and the arts to people from low-income backgrounds. Outreach projects which take arts into the community, affordable ticket prices to performances and affordable transport can all make the arts more accessible to people in the most deprived communities in Wales.
Gwallgofiaid, Gwynedd Gwallgofiaid offers young people in Blaenau Ffestiniog the chance to develop their artistic flair and explore their local community though the visual arts and journalism. Based in an old courthouse, now transformed into a community café and meeting space, the organisation works with young people to produce a community magazine, short films celebrating Blaenau Ffestiniog and the surrounding area, and develop technical skills in lighting and sound engineering.
Preserving the heritage of Wales for future generations. Local conservation and preservation initiatives are often run by local volunteers, and our buildings, venues and monuments also serve as community facilities and tourist destinations.
Giving to the heart of our institutions safeguards their future. Supporting core costs, membership schemes, endowment campaigns and project fundraising initiatives ensures that the valuable and vital core work of our arts, cultural and heritage charities is preserved.
The Friends of Llanchaiach Fawr Manor House, Caerphilly Llanchaich Fawr Manor transports visitors back 400 years in an authentic rendition of life in rural Wales in 1645. With staff members acting the roles of the house staff and owners, visitors to the Manor can hear, see and smell life as it was in the 17th century. Such is the authenticity of the place, even the cushions have been hand-sewn with a dedicated commitment to maintaining historical accuracy. The Friends group has been instrumental in raising funds to restore the manor house to its former glory and ensuring that visitors receive a unique historical experience.
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ENVIRONMENT Wales’s “great mountain ranges, lush valleys, (and) ragged coastline” were amongst the reasons cited for Wales being named Rough Guide’s top country in the world to visit in 2014. Around 30% of the nation’s land and water is protected and with three national parks, five areas of outstanding natural beauty and 41 Blue Flag beaches there is plenty of opportunity for people to explore and enjoy the natural environment. Whilst recycling rates are encouraging, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions are worryingly high. There is also concern that despite an abundance of green space, many children are disconnected from the natural world.
26% of people responding to the Wales We Want survey said that Climate Change was the most pressing issue facing Wales, more important than any other issue.
49%
the household waste recycling rate in Wales, the highest in the UK
10.71
Connecting children to nature A three year research project carried out by the RSPB found that only 1 in 8 children in Wales (13%) has a level of connection to nature that the RSPB considers to be a realistic and achievable target for all children. This was the lower than the UK average (21%) and more than half the rate of children in Scotland (27%).
“When young people are connected to nature, it has positive impacts on their education, physical health, emotional wellbeing, and personal and social skills, and helps them to become responsible citizens.” (RSPB. Connecting With Nature, 2013)
218,000
homes at risk of flooding in Wales
48,000
are at significant risk of flooding
KILOTONNES is the CO2 emissions per capita, the highest in Britain and
There are more than 1000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest covering approximately 12% of Wales’s land surface area
40% HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR ENGLAND OF 7.62 KILOTONNES
8% Wales’s share of UK greenhouse gas emissions, despite only having 4.8% of the UK’s population
4.8%
8%
THERE ARE MORE THAN 1000 SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST COVERING APPROXIMATELY 12% OF WALES’S LAND SURFACE AREA 36
Physical Environment indicators across local authorities 40
Wales average
Local authority
35 30 25 %
20 15 10 5 0 Flintshire
Neath Port Talbot
Vale of Glamorgan
Newport
HOW PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Ensuring children have access to nature and understand about our environment. Forest schools bring the magic of nature to children, as do outdoor pursuits and membership of clubs like guides, scouts and sea cadets.
Supporting community power and recycling initiatives. Not only do they have benefits for the environment, community recycling projects also encourage volunteering, provide opportunities for training and offer affordable goods to people on low-incomes. Community power projects build financial and environmental sustainability and engage local communities with a global issue.
Providing immediate relief to the victims of environmental disasters. The storms of winter 2013/14 wreaked devastation on many Welsh coastal communities. The Community Foundation in Wales created the Flood Recovery Fund in direct response to get financial support to people who had been made homeless by coastal flooding, and to community facilities affected by storm damage.
Cardiff
This graph shows the local authorities with the highest proportion of small areas in the most deprived ten percent in Wales for Physical Environment. The Physical Environment indicator of the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) measures factors which may impact on quality of life. It analyses air concentrations, air emissions, proximity to waste disposal and industrial sites and flood risk at small area level (or LSOA) (approximately 1,600 residents).
Wales Flood Recovery Fund The Community Foundation in Wales set up the Wales Flood Recovery Fund in 2014 in response to the devastating coastal floods which affected so many communities in December 2013. Rhyl was one of the towns badly affected and the town council founded the Rhyl Flood Relief charity to help individuals and families most seriously impacted - over 100 homes were evacuated, with people moved to emergency centres. A grant was awarded to help these people rebuild their lives through small emergency payments which helped relieve financial hardship and purchase essential items.
Green Valleys CIC, Powys Working across the Brecon Beacons National Park, this pioneering social enterprise promotes environmental sustainability for rural communities by improving energy efficiency and delivering renewable technologies, such as micro-hydro schemes, for people and communities. Woodlands are being brought back into sustainable management and local food production is encouraged through the development of community allotments and orchards. The community is involved at every stage and there is a shared ambition to make the communities of the Brecon Beacons National Park carbon negative.
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HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Community Foundation in Wales is a charitable business - a trusted philanthropy adviser offering each of our Fund holders and clients a bespoke service. We advise on where their priorities for charitable giving can make the best impact, investing their donations to maximise return and delivering robust grant-making programmes on their behalf.
OUR PHILANTHROPY SERVICES Establish your own Fund Immediate Impact – A Fund for today Endowment Fund – A Fund invested in perpetuity, the gift which keeps on giving Hybrid Fund – A Fund which makes an impact today whilst investing for the needs of tomorrow. Funds can be themed according to our clients’ wishes, for example as area or topic-specific grant programmes. Double the impact of your gift to the Fund for Wales thanks to our Big Match Challenge. Provide a better future for Welsh communities by leaving a gift in your will.
A RANGE OF BENEFITS A bespoke Fund tailored to your wishes • project visits & meetings with beneficiaries • annual impact reports & Fund investment statements
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invitations to philanthropy events and forums tax-effective giving
OUR FUND OPTIONS GIVE
Immediate Impact Fund
GROW
GRANT
IMPACT NOW
Endowment Fund
IMPACT FOREVER
Hybrid Fund
IMPACT NOW & FOREVER
Our philanthropy team works with each Fund holder to develop a portfolio of giving in line with their wishes to maximise the impact of their philanthropy. Contact us on 02920 379580 to discuss how your donations can make a difference or visit our website www.cfiw.org.uk.
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A Community Foundation in Wales St. Andrews House 24 St. Andrews Crescent Cardiff CF10 3DD E info@cfiw.org.uk T +44 (0)2920 379580 W www.cfiw.org.uk /cfinwales @cfinwales Registered Charity 1074655 Company Number 03670680
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