Case Studies Booklet by Jonathan Davies

Groundwork Bridgend &Neath Port Talbot Case Studies Booklet

www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-porttalbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

Groundwork BNPT is a non- profit organisation who work with local partners with an aim of creating sustainable communities, through improving the local environment across South West Wales.

Our Projects: Our Positive Energy team have worked to get across an energy saving message across South Wales . The aim is to produce an awareness of energy conservation and lower its consumption .This operation is being supported funding from the Rural Development Plan for Wales*, who support our ideals and objectives.

  

Bettws Garden Solar event Energy awareness training Pontycymmer Energy day

  

Snakes and Ladders Gorseinon Bridgend Rec School day North Cornelly Solar Boats

They have ran 13 programmes in the last 4 months aimed at environmental enhancement and sustainability. The team have got their message across through interaction with the local communities, using workshops, quizzes, school visits and experiment to promote their Positive energy message to at least 562 people.

The Landscape team have worked with local communities and to tackle a number physical regeneration projects. This work has taken place throughout the Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot regions and can vary from them being the designers and consultants to the production of large scale tourist attractions. Our Landscape team look to transform the local environment into something that is useful for the community, whether that be a park for local schools, security for a business estate or a selection of artwork to improve tourism. They look to produce something that is environmentally friendly yet economically viable.

  

Caerau Welfare Grounds Trotting Track

 

Tree Nursery



Neath Abbey Ynysdawley Play Bryngarw Country Park

Youthworks is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and is still trying to create brighter futures for young people. The team work across Bridgend county to provide young people with the support they need to be successful in life. We have had great success over the last year with the Marlas centre having an attendance of 6000 alone.

  

Marlas Community centre ERIC Skills for Living

 

Caerau Youth Club Wildmill Youthworks

This support ranges from providing training and work through the life skills programme to the chance to socialise and have fun with other children in the community Play programme. The main objective for our Youthworks team is to provide personal development activities for those who come from deprived areas and create positive changes in their lives.

The Environmental Action team who are funded through the Rural Development plan for Wales*, have been involved with over 50 environmental regeneration projects through their Community Gateway programme and have helped developed 27 projects through their current CORE initiative. The aim is to help local communities in disadvantaged areas and regenerate neglected waste land through environmental projects, the  team are highly involved with all the projects and are  available for fundraising, design or planning. 

Llangeinor Community Gardens Bettws Nature reserve Goderiag Park

  

Sustrans Bench Resolfens Miners Welfare Garden Miles’ Field

Footprint looks to provide employment for the long term unemployed. The footprint team employs people to work on our regeneration projects within local communities and the projects can vary from the construction of a playground to the landscaping of a memorial Garden.

  

Glyncorwwg River Festival Resolven Waterways Festival One World

  

Farmfeild Avenue Plasnewydd Primary School Neath Pony Club

This programme aims to give participants the experience they need for further employment and hone their skills in construction, horticulture and carpentry.

Case Study:

Afan River Walk Port Talbot is a region that‟s landscape has been scarred by heavy industry, but there has been great deal of work over the past few years to bring this area back to its once natural beauty. The Groundwork BNPT team has worked alongside the Aberafon and Sandfields Renewal Area team to raise the profile of the Afan River Walk. The Afan River Walk is a key feature for the community as it runs adjacent to the River Afan and is frequently used by cyclists and pedestrians. Primarily the objective for this project was to raise awareness of the River Walk and improve the surrounding area but do this through engagement with the local community.

IMPACT 

Total cost £88,303



55 children involved



1 workshop and 1 visit by Tywyn Primary School



813m of River Walk enhanced



4 artistic features



2 features at Newbridge



1 feature at midpoint of River Walk



1 artistic feature in Aberavon

To complete this goal the Neighbourhood Renewal and Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund provided financial support. The Walk is part of the National Sustrans Cycle network and they support the use of artwork, with a local community theme, along the route. Artistic features, which were inspired by the local landscape and heritage, were placed alongside the Walk to make it more appealing, and each sculpture has a link to the local community and industry . The sculptures incorporated local timber from Swansea docks which was donated by ABP and were designed with the help of pupils from Tywyn Primary School. The children visited the site with ecologist Judith Oakley and took part in art sessions with Nigel Talbot, it is hoped that these beautiful features make the path more attractive to its users and raise awareness of the environment.

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rather than imposing environmental improvements on the community we gave residents the opportunity to participate and influence the design in partnership with Groundwork . This partnership has been a very positive experienceâ&#x20AC;? Chris Davies, Community regeneration officer

Case Study:

Gateway to the Black Mountain IMPACT The Communities Gateway project was set up to create small -scale, physical environmental projects that have a gateway theme. Many of the projects contained artwork that was culturally linked to the local community.



First public consult March 12th



Wall – 7m x 2.5m at highest point

Woking in partnership with the Upper Aman Valley Renewal Area and Aman Communities First, Groundwork BNPT helped develop the gateway to the Black mountain feature in the Lower Aman valley. The gateway consisted of a natural stone wall which contained artwork that integrated the communities‟ outlook on Brynaman. Funding for this project came from multiple sources with the Council's Upper Amman Valley Renewal Area, the Welsh Government, Gwaun Cae Gurwen Community Council and the Rural Development plan for Wales*, all working to make this possible.



4 panels created by Carlos Pinatti



32 Volunteers



400 leaflet dropped



1 local school



65 School children



5 separate workshops with different community groups Ysgol Y Glyn Chwoirydd Ebenesar Merched y Wawr The Heritage Society General Public

*This project has been made possible through funding from Groundwork through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The aim of this project was to enhance the local area and provide an exciting and bold design, so that passers by are drawn to the gateway and the area of natural beauty behind it. This gateway project gave Groundwork a chance to engage with the local community and create an imaginative piece of work that best represents the area. This was completed through a series of creative workshops with Ysgol y Glyn, Chwiorydd Ebenesar, Merched y Wawr, the Heritage Society and the general public. From these workshops the artist Carlos Pinatti was able to construct a sequence of four panels that represent the pride and ideals of the people from the Aman valley, and these are now set in the wall which has been constructed from locally sourced stone, at the Gwrhyd Quarry, and incorporates a large slate engraved with “Lower Brynaman- Gateway to the Black Mountain.”

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

“ The artwork is wonderful. You have to stop and look at it. I study mosaics as a hobby and can really appreciate the hard work put into this piece. It represents Brynaman through it’s culture, heritage and history.” Diane Gill, Member of the Brynaman Heritage society

Case Study:

Bont Centre Our Positive Energy team have been working with the Pontardullais Bont Centre to help them with their energy conservation. This energy conservation project has been achieved through a partnership with the City and County of Swansea, with the financial support of the Rural Development Plan for Wales* and the Countryside Commission. The team helped the Bont Centre change their energy tariff using the uswitch website and this resulted in the centre saving £340 a month.

IMPACT 

Positive Energy project cost £352,566



Estimated £340 savings each month



1 new energy conservation technique per month



15 Positive Energy leaflets given out

The energy tariff was just the beginning as the team also put into action a scheme where they would install a new energy saving measure every month. The schemes aim was to promote the energy saving ideas to the visitors of the centre and hope they then use them in their own homes.

*This project has been made possible through funding from Groundwork through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 20072013 funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Europe-



35 Thermometers given to centre

This project involved the draft proofing of the centres main doors and a display which showed the efficiency of radiator panels for conserving energy, this was completed alongside a leaflet campaign within the centre. We hope that the Positive Energy teams work will give the centre the capacity to complete these energy conservation techniques in the future, and pass the message on to visitors. We also look forward to future ventures with the Bont centre as it has been a pleasure working with them.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the kind of relationship with Groundwork, that if we had a problem we could pick up the phone and they would come down and help straight awayâ&#x20AC;? Cath, Manager of The Bont Centre

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

Case Study:

Calon Lan The Calon Lan project was a community driven scheme on a site of reclaimed land in Blaengarw, and Groundwork BNPT helped revitalise this previously unused land and create a magnificent green open space, for the residents of the Garw valley. Phase 1 involved the creation of a park area with an events field and footpath for the community to use as a focal point for local proceedings and celebrations. Groundwork BNPT played a key role in phase one as the designers but took a pivotal role in phase 2 as the project manager.

IMPACT 

Phase 1-£160,000



Phase 2– £300,000



80 hectares of land regenerated



Events field 

Installation of a BMX track and MUGA



After a series of consultations with members of the local neighbourhood it was determined that the aim

Creation of an

900 houses leaflet dropped



9 months from consultation to completion



1 local school



35 school children

for phase 2 was to improve upon the park and create facilities for children's activities. This included the design and implementation of a BMX track and multiuse games area with floodlights. The project cost a total of £300,000 which came from through Groundwork through the Rural Development Plan for Wales* and BIFFA. The construction of the site finished in October 2011 but, Phase 2 of the site was officially opened in December, when a local school was invited to explore the new area, plant bulbs and use the all weather play area. After visiting the site the children sat down to a celebratory meal in the local workman's hall.

“Thanks to Groundwork and the Valley Community Council,the people of the Garw have acquired a great asset” Wyn Davies Garw Valley Community Council

This site will hopefully enhance Blaengarw‟s reputation as vibrant community and as an area of interest in in South Wales.

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

*This project has been made possible through funding from Groundwork through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 20072013 funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Case Study:

Community Task Force Groundwork alongside the Department of Work and Pensions and Job Centre Plus have worked to provide the opportunity for young people to gain paid work experience. Community Task force has been set up through Groundwork to was set up to give young people help across South West Wales and the Valleys. The programme gave the individuals the chance to take up a 13 weeks of paid work experience, alongside a personal mentor to help with the individuals job seeking needs When joining the Community Task Force and individual was expected to work 25 hours per week and an additional five hours dedicated to job searching.

IMPACT 

13 weeks paid placement



25 hours per week



Earns at least minimum wage



5 hour per week job searching



Dedicated mentor for each individual



Led to 37 hours per week, full time employment for Dewi

Dewi Jones took up a Community Task Force placement at the Ty Hafan charity shop in Maesteg. This was his first work experience and made the effort to be as efficient and helpful as possible. His lack of work experience was due to the fact that he had been applying for jobs above his qualifications level, but after speaking with his mentor at job search this soon changed. All his effort during his placement was worth it as after he completed his placement he was offered the assistant manager role in the Bridgend based Ty Hafan store, due to the experience he had gained through his CTF placement. Dewi is elated with what he has achieved and said that he is “so proud that the first paid job on his CV is as a Deputy Manager! Thank you to everyone for giving me the first step on the ladder”‟

“I am so glad I went on to CTF. I was worried before I started about what I would have to do as I hadn’t worked before, but my training co-ordinator put me at ease and explained everything to me and was there for support throughout.” Dewi Jones, Deputy Manager Ty hafan

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

Case Study:

Cwmafan Memorial Garden Cwmafan Memorial Garden saw the combined effort of several Groundwork BNPT projects work in unison to create a beautiful commemorative garden. The land is owned by St Michaels Church and members of the Church approached Groundwork and Communities First with this project. The Environmental Action team was the key player in the creation of this garden, but it was actually constructed with the help of individuals from the Future Jobs Funds and Community Task Force. The Garden consists of a quiet seating area with stones dust paths leading up to it, which is draped by the blossoms of a tree avenue which lays alongside the path. This is then surrounded

IMPACT 

Project cost : £24,499



Rejuvenated 935m² of unused land



January 2010 start date



4 month construction period



3 separate projects involved with its construction Future Jobs Fund Community Task Force Environmental action



1 local school



8 school children

by a series of plant beds and ewe trees and stood at the end of the garden is a large stone pedestal for the placement of memorial plaques. Cwmafan Memorial Garden was a large project which was funded by Groundwork BNPT through the Rural Development Plan for Wales*, who gave a total of £24,499 towards the regeneration. Cwmafan Primary school were invited to the site to plant bulbs and seeds, this was to promote community engagement within Cwmafan and raise awareness of this newly refurbished garden.

“We had a good working relationship with Groundwork BNPT , and at the end of the day without your [Groundwork] help we wouldn’t have achieved what we have. So I am very pleased.” Stuart Morgan, St Michaels Church

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

Case Study:

ERIC IMPACT ERIC is a course based around the issue of emotional health and well being. It allows young people between the ages of 16-25 to engage with others who have experienced similar difficulties.



Has been running since 2009



1 day a week over a 10 week course

The main objective of the programme is to allow young to people to understand and express their feelings, nurture confidence, reduce the stigma attached to emotional health and Increase emotional resilience. This course is conducted through a number of different medium including physical activities, discussion groups and one to one sessions.



3 day residential weekend



Funding from the Big Lottery through Siaradwn Ni and Mental Health Matters.

The programme has several financial supporters and thanks to the partnership of Bro Morgannwg NHS trust and YouthWorks, who secured the funding.



5 years of funding



£12,300 per year



Has had at least 40 participants to date

Sam who is currently studying Sociology and Education at Worcester University, and plays active role in student life in Worcester took part in the ERIC course several years ago. The programme gave Sam the confidence to do things in his life that he had never done before, and he was able build up his self-belief. For example, considering Sam was suffered from vertigo he “managed to scale a full scale indoor rock wall and coasteering off a 50ft cliff easily enough.” This kind of confidence has allowed same to take part in an active social life an make friends with ease. This programme is all about allowing young people to express their self and nurturing their emotional resilience and from Sam point of view we were able to do this as he “felt the programme ran really well, the programme leaders were friendly, easy to talk to and approach if you needed to chat about something”. Sam is now looking forward to finishing university and is hoping to become a teacher of Sociology or Religious Education.

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

“Even after three years I still feel that the Groundwork team will support me if I need it “ Sam Lewis, 2nd year Sociology Student at Worcester University

Case Study:

Gwalia Housing Our Positive Energy team have worked in conjunction with Gwalia Housing Association to promote an energy saving message to their residents. They worked in Pontardullais to give the older a residents at the complex a chance to ask the team about their energy saving needs.

IMPACT



2 workshops

This has been funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales *and the Countryside Commission, and was made possible by a partnership with the City and County of Swansea.



About 10 residents



Energy Project Fund £352,566

attended each workshop 

The team answered questions from the residents of Pontarddulais and have delivered a series of quizzes and open advice energy surgeries focussed around an energy saving message. The surgery and quiz was tailored specifically to the needs of the residents.

Entire Positive

Passed out 20 leaflets



Gave 35 thermometers to residents

The workshops have proven to be very successful with a high number of residents attending, looking to gain some advice on how to conserve energy in their own home this winter. Our workshops were such a triumph that on our second visit we found a number of the same residents attending the same workshop and passing on advice to their neighbours. Our partnership with Gwalia Housing Association has produced some great results and we could look at furthering are association with them in the future at the Pontardullais site, with the possibility of training some residents to become Energy Champions and Gwalia save energy.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really enjoyed the quiz and thought that we were given some very good and easily understandable advice. I would definitely attend another event if it was anything to do with cutting costs.â&#x20AC;? Kay, A resident of Gwalia

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

Case Study:

Industrial Regeneration Groundwork BNPT has worked with a number of industrial estates over the past few years to improve the surrounding areas at the sites and create secure environments for local businesses. The Spelter industrial estate which is situated in the village of Nantyfyllon in Maesteg, was subject to a great deal of vandalism and crime so Bridgend County Council worked with Groundwork BNPT to resolve this issue. Groundwork was the primary designer and contract manager on the Spelter project, with the regenerations main focus being on security and access to the Llynfi cycle route. The project as a whole cost a total of £78,000 which came through Bridgend County Council and the end result delighted local businesses such as Talgarth Bakery, as they could now run their business in safe surroundings.

IMPACT 

Spelter project £78,000



Site consists of 8 units, affected by vandalism



2.5 hectares of land improved



Installed a 2.4m galvanised steel palisade fence



Duration of project 9 months



Penlwyngwent– 12 hectare estate



1 Artist and 1 local primary school

Groundworks (BNPT) involvement with industrial estates is not just limited to the Spelter site, and we have been part of multiple projects including Penlwyngwent Industrial Estate where we were the designers and contract manager. Our focus was on rejuvenating the site through community involvement and funding was also provided through Bridgend County Council. Artist Nigel Talbot worked with Ogmore Vale Primary school to create some of the artwork that was incorporated into the brickwork in the fully regenerated site.

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

“I have been very pleased with what’s happened at the site, and in terms of what it has done for the business in Spelter has been very positive” Ray Pearce, Regeneration and Economic Development Manager

Case Study:

Marlas Marlas is an estate situated in North Cornelly where the YouthWorks team have worked to create a community centre, with a primary aim of engaging with the local youth. The centre is open three nights a week with a drop in period during the day on a Monday and Friday. The volunteers and playworkers here look to create a safe a friendly environment where the youth of the local community can come and learn new skills such as cookery, practical skills and art. The community centre has received funding through the Henry Smith Foundation, and financially supported for a three year period. The Marlas community centre has been such a success that it has led to a number of the local attendees beginning their own social enterprise and looking to gain qualifications. For example three young ladies are creating a salon which offers a

IMPACT 

£120,000 through the Henry Smith Foundation



Funding for 3 years



Open 4 days a week



Reduced crime and antisocial behaviour in the area by 65%



Employs 6 Youth workers



Over 6000 attendees last year

variety of beauty treatments which will be constructed by the members of another YouthWorks programme, called Skills for Living. Whereas Blake Roberts aged 18 has gained multiple qualifications in Youth work and a range of coaching awards, and is looking to start a local gym in the near future. The salon is being set up by three ladies, Bethan White, Shannon Moyle and Cassie Jones who are in the process of gaining their level 1 hair and beauty and call themselves the “Three Beauties.” The groups ambition is not limited to a level 1 qualifications and they are looking to further themselves with additional courses. The course is a total of 15 hours a week and they are hoping that this will improve their job prospects for the future and inspire others to take on these opportunities. Having studied a number of months the three of them are now looking for funding to open the salon and have already received some after pitching to a panel from Live Unlimited for £1500, which featured Janice Gregory AM. Whilst awaiting for the funding the “Three Beauties “ are continuing to advertise their business by attending local community fares and will feature in a job centre

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

“The course gave us the chance to add to our CV, the more qualifications we have the better” Cassie Jones, Member of the “Three Beauties

Case Study:

Natural Play In December 2009 Groundwork BNPT worked with Pontrhydyfen Miners Welfare with the support of Pelena Communities first to organise an event, called “Let us know”, to discover what the community wanted to do with an area of unused land owned by the Miners Welfare. The community was invited to the “Let us know” event where there was a Santa‟s Grotto and face painter, and they were invited to visit the and provide ideas on how the land should be used, and at least 57 people voiced their opinion. This led to the decision to create a natural play area for the local children and engage with community volunteers. A further event was then held on April 8th 2010 to present the proposed designs to the community before construction could commence and the build began in in February 2011 thanks to funding from Groundwork through the Rural Development Plan for Wales*.

IMPACT 

Project cost– £20,424.04



2 hectares of land converted



10 separate wooden play facilities



57 people attended the consultation.



15 core volunteers



17 months of work

The site of previously unused land is now home to a children‟s adventure park which features a vibrant range of playground attractions, suitable for children of various ages. Plans to further enhance the site continue in Pontrhydyfen as the group of 15 volunteers cut back the overgrown bracken and look to create a form of woodland trail in the near future. The site which was fully funded through Groundwork BNPT and the Rural Development Plan for Wales will be maintained by the Miners Welfare. This is all thanks to a core group of volunteers, Pontrhydyfen Miners Welfare, Pelena Communities first and Groundwork BNPT.

“The project has brought the local community members together through a series of consultation events, with some fun included, and given a real sense of puropse to the newly reformed Miner's Welfare Association.” Martin Ellis, Coordinator of Pelenna Communities First

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

Case Study:

PLAY YouthWorks in Bridgend has set up a programme called Play, which consists of a selection of fixed play sites, where children are encouraged to use their imagination and socialise. This does not mean that YouthWorks has constructed a series of play grounds, but the aim is to promote the idea of outdoor play for local children. This programme allows children to interact with their local environment and play with children from their community under the supervision of our staff. YouthWorks has worked in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taff to deliver the Play programme across Bridgend County Borough. The Play programme currently runs in Pencoed , Newton, Broadlands and several other areas. It is a Big Lottery Funded project and is financially supported for a four year period.

IMPACT 

Big Lottery Funded



Financially supported for 4 years



Currently runs in 6 throughout the Bridgend area



Suitable for 8-12yrs



Attendance ranges between 15-50 children



Over 40 hours of work went into the video

This programme welcomes volunteers who wish to get involved and help with the continuation of this project. At the Pencoed site three of the older youths, who were part of the programme, have taken it upon their self's to start running a number of activities for the children whereas Lee Thadius Scott a former Future Jobs Fund participant offered his artistic and media skills to help promote the programme. He used his knowledge of video and media editing to create a montage of the children at Play, which is ran alongside a soundtrack of joyous music. This is the second video he has created for GBNPT as he was involved in the production of a video which is ran in Bettws life Centre. This new video will be a great asset to our organisation for the promotion of the project and we offer Lee our gratitude for the time he has put into this project. Lee has thoroughly enjoyed his involvement with the Play programme and is looking forward to further participation in future projects.

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

â&#x20AC;&#x153; It was quite an unusual experience, it was wonderful and I felt quite privileged getting to know all the staff at Groundwork.â&#x20AC;? Lee Thadius Scott, Groundwork Volunteer

Case Study:

Skills for Living This Skills for Living programme redirects pupils energy from behaviour associated with disaffection, into engagement in practical activities . The main objective is to recognise young peoples, strengths and give them the opportunity to learn new skills. Its in place to serve local need as a diversion from crime and helping to motivate young people in high unemployment areas. Whilst attending the programme the young people have the chance to work towards the Construction skills Certification Scheme, get their card and sit the relevant test. Groundwork BNPT, Bridgend Safety Partnership, Bridgend County Borough Council and a number of local Schools. The programme paid for by the schools and Groundwork BNPT provides the programme.

IMPACT 

£35 per person per day



School group of 12, £200 per day



Minimum 6 week project



Tailored to suit individuals



Jamie Spent over 1 year with GBNPT



Now in fulltime employment 6 days a week



8 months into his apprenticeship

The success of this programme can be seen through Jamie Townsend experience, he came to Groundwork BNPT after being referred to the programme following his exclusion from school. Jamie may have struggled in school but when it came to the working with Groundwork BNPT on site he was conscientious and hardworking. He stayed with Groundwork for just over one year where he learnt a number of hands on skills, that would be useful in the future. Due to all his hard-work during his time at Groundwork Jamie was offered and apprenticeship with Oakwood Joinery, where he currently works 6 days a week and has been with the company for 8 months.

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Working with Groundwork gave me life skills and experience, I really enjoyed it and it gave me a good knowledge of the workplace to take into my apprenticeshipâ&#x20AC;? Jamie Townsend, 1st year apprentice with Oakwood Joinery.

Case Study:

Trick or Heat As part of the Positive Energy Swansea programme the Groundwork BNPT team hosted a number of free workshops and presentations across the rural Swansea area. The workshops were held in a selection of libraries across the county including Pontarddulais, Pennard, Gorseinon, Gowerton and Clydach. Our primary objective was to promote an energy saving message in a fun and friendly way, and provide pertinent advice for bill payers. This was made possible with the financial support of the Rural Development Plan for Wales* and the Countryside Commission, and was completed in partnership with the City and County of Swansea. The presentation‟s main focus was the use of insulation and the team explained its cost, how it works and the potential savings that could be made using it.

IMPACT 

Positive Energy project cost £352,566



October Half term 2011,24th-28th



Presentation of 1-1.5 hours



5 libraries participated



153 people attended workshops



Further workshops in February 2012

With the events taking place in the October half-term the Groundwork Positive Energy team designed their workshop around a Halloween theme and produced movie style special effects, whilst endorsing an energy saving lifestyle. The team used a number of different experiments to demonstrate how to conduct and insulate heat, save energy and produce electricity. The demonstration was highly interactive and involved a great deal of audience participation, which ranged from powering a light bulb using a bike to creating ice cream by practically applying the information that was presented to the audience earlier in the workshop. Groundwork‟s Positive Energy team are now looking to create a selection of new workshops that will take place in the libraries in February 2012.

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

“The children had a fantastic day and were still talking about it a couple of weeks later when they came back with their parents” Julie Emanuel, Manger of Gorseinon Library

Case Study:

Victoria Park Briton Ferry is a town in the county of Neath Port Talbot with little green space available for children to use.

IMPACT

In 2007 Groundwork BNPT partnered by Briton Ferry West Communities First began a project to rejuvenate an area called Victoria Park. Victoria Park is a small green space in the middle of a densely populated area that was not being used because of a number of safety issues concerning the environment and the lack of facilities .



1 local school



30 children



2 workshops with

Following consultation with the residents of the local area it was decided to redesign the park and construct a fence around the perimeter, to maintain a safe ,friendly and welcoming environment.



Cost a total of £94,060

Angharad Pearce 

168 m of 1.2m looped steel fencing



4 semi mature birch trees



100 hedgelings



1 feature gate designed by school children and artist



Over 5000m² land regenerated

This project was supported by funding from WREN and the Welsh Assembly „s Western Valleys Regeneration Area, who through Groundwork gave £94,060 towards the regeneration of Victoria Park. With the funding secured pupils from Llansawel Primary School attended workshops with metal artist, Angharad Pearce, to help design the fence to surround the park. The designs were based on play and recreation, to tie in with what the space would be used for. The area was opened by the pupils of Llansawel Primary school, and they planted trees to celebrate the new park. This area can now be used as focal point for community events and the local infants school can once again stage their sports day in the Park, a secure and friendly environment.

“The relationship with the schools and the children working in the forge with the artist was absolutely fantastic. We really had some positive vibes from the children who were involved, and the support of Geoff [GBNPT Principal Landscape Architect] and Rhian[ Project Coordinator Environmental Improvements] was fantastic” Leigh Batchelor, Briton Ferry Communities First

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

Case Study:

Wood Vibrations IMPACT

A musical woodland trail, named “The Good Vibrations trail” was opened in Margam Country Park on July 13. The trail features a number of giant musical instruments sculpt-  ed by Scott Blytt-Jordens of Dragonfly creations.The opening was celebrated with the help of several local schools,  who marked the occasion with a parade of melodically magical instruments crafted from the trees felled within the  park. This exciting project was made possible with the support and funding of a several financial backers who believed the project was worth while. The total cost of the project was £29,430, with Rural Development Plan for Wales* contributing around £6,000 through Groundwork BNPT.



The Wood vibrations venture was ran over a period of several months with an overall objective of increasing park vis itors and promoting an awareness of the importance of trees.

Project cost£29,430 500m trail 8 musical wooden sculptures Funded by Forrest Education Initi ative who gave Neat Port Talbot Cluster group financial sup port, The Field Sale Council Groundwork BNPT

Over 200 people attended the celebration

Several local schools including Gnoll Primary School, Tonmawr Primary School, Crynallt Primary School, Neath Abbey Infants, Eastern Primary School and Playworks! and Wise Up! a home education group took part in the project and it wasn‟t just the children who got their hands dirty. The teachers took part in a two day course alongside Scott Blytt-Jordens, to improve their wood working skills and produce musical instruments with the children, to parade along the new trail which runs from the parks car park up to the Field Studies Council Discovery centre. To further improve this understanding of the importance of the woodlands the children visited the park to see the trees being felled by Paul Thornton of the South and West Wales Wildlife trust ,the trees that were felled were then used to create the wonderful musical sculptures that are placed along

Contact us: www.wales.groundwork.org.uk/bridgend--neath-port-talbot.aspx Twitter: @groundworkbnpt Facebook:www.facebook.com/groundworkbnpt Tel no:01656727800

“Some of the children who visited Margam to watch the trees being felled were inspired to go on an study OCN’s relating to the woodland Industry” Lisa Clements Playworks! and Wise up!