Walking the Talk: Wales Sustainability Health and Well-being Initiatives

Walking the Talk: Wales Sustainability Health and Well-being Initiatives

The Clink

The Clink works in partnership with Her Majesty’s Prison Service to run projects that train and give practical skills to prisoners to aid their rehabilitation. The Clink Restaurants allow prisoners to learn, engage with the public and take their first steps towards a new life. The second restaurant opened at HMP Cardiff in Cardiff – the first restaurant to be located outside prison walls. It works alongside HMP Prescoed to offer over 30 Category D prisoners from HMP Prescoed and HMP Cardiff full-time work within the kitchen, restaurant and gardens. The prisoners at the Clink Gardens grow, cultivate and harvest crops and rear chickens for their eggs. Seasonal fruits, speciality and heritage vegetables and salad items are then transported to The Clink Restaurants at HMP High Down, HMP Cardiff and HMP Brixton where they are used to create fresh, seasonal and organic dishes for The Clink Restaurant menus by our kitchen trainees. In order for The Clink Charity to continue its work, we engage with employers within the hospitality industry to place ex-prisoners on internships or in permanent employment. The Clink Restaurant at Cardiff has won several prestigious awards, including The Sustainable Restaurant Association’s 3 Star Award and The Craft Guild of Chefs Award for Education Excellence. It also champions the wealth of quality, fresh and organic produce available throughout Wales.

Further Details:

http://theclinkcharity.org/the-clink-restaurants/cardiff-wales/

Down to Earth

The Down to Earth Project is an award winning not-for-profit education organisation specialising in working with ‘hard to reach’ and ‘disadvantaged’ groups through the outdoors with personal development at the very centre, we support individuals and groups through practical, hands-on sustainability. Down to Earth has a 10 year track record in offering award-winning programmes which are designed to be inclusive and engaging for all groups. With a learner-centred approach centred on developing well-being and a diverse range of accredited learning opportunities, our educationprogrammes support young people and adults from very different backgrounds. Down to Earth uses traditional and sustainable building methods to offerfully accessible and inclusive commercial construction projects to diverse community groups, particularly from ‘hard to reach’ and disadvantaged backgrounds. This remarkable approach transforms both the participants and the community involved in the project – whilst simultaneously creating stunning, sustainable buildings.

From large scale commercial training spaces to smaller outdoor classrooms, Down to Earth has an excellent track record in accessible, accredited training programmes resulting in remarkable buildings.

Further Information: http://www.downtoearthproject.org.uk/contact/

Time Banking Wales Time Banking Wales pays homage to the traditions of mutualism and collective action of the South Wales Valleys that gave birth to the medical aid societies, workers educational associations and miners welfare institutes during the 19th and 20th century. These community initiatives fired the collective imagination and were fuelled by the active engagement of ‘people in communities’.

Timebanking is a social instrument designed to develop a more active dialogue between public and third sector community organisations and ‘people in communities’ - the intention being to move the agenda from people being ‘passive beneficiaries of community services’ to ‘active citizens for change’. Welsh time- banks work a little differently to the traditional timebank model in that they are ‘hosted’ within public and community agencies. Community members are then invited to actively engage and take ownership of public services rather than being passive recipients. The ‘host’ agency acts as the central bank and acknowledges members for their time with credits. These credits can be used to access social, cultural and educational activities on a quid pro quo hourly basis.

Further Information: http://www.timebankingwales.org.uk/#!about_us/csgz

Just add spice

Just Add Spice develop ‘time credit’ systems that value everyone’s time, no matter who they are.

Time credits open up new opportunities to try new things, learn, be healthier and have fun. We work with communities of all kinds, across many sectors. We’re passionate about the power within communities, and think that we’re better at solving problems when we work together. Our programmes embody exciting partnerships between individuals and the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Our work was founded on the concept of Time Banking: a time-based currency system theorised and popularised by human rights lawyer Edgar Cahn in 1986. In 2003, an Institute was established within the University of Wales, Newport to explore the use of community currencies to support social regeneration in the South Wales Valleys. The Wales Institute for Community Currencies (WICC) began to develop time-based currencies that could be used as a tool within the community sector. When the WICC project finished at the end of 2008, Spice was established to further develop the Time Credits concept.

Further Information: http://www.justaddspice.org/

Action in Caerau and Ely (ACE)

ACE (Action in Caerau & Ely) is a Charity located in Ely and Caerau, Cardiff. ACE aims to bring the community together, support community groups, manage and develop local projects, and find ways of regenerating the local community. The organisation has developed a number of projects with community members and partners funded from other sources. These include the Community Ambassadors project, the award winning CAER Heritage Project and Time- place. ACE has recently acquired a local historic building from Cardiff Council. Our Place: Dusty Forge provides an exciting opportunity to develop new projects and activities with local people at their heart. It is rapidly becoming a home for a diverse collection of community groups and individuals who are learning to co-operate and act together towards common goals. ACE acts on a commitment to social justice as a member of Cardiff and Vale Citizens (part of the Citizens UK alliance). Approximately 100 local organisations, including churches, universities, schools, mosques, unions and community groups, campaign together on a range of issues which impact on our communities. ACE leads efforts to secure living wage employment in South Wales.

Further Information: http://www.aceplace.org/

Tools for Self Reliance

TOOLS FOR SELF RELIANCE groups collect old and unwanted hand tools and sewing machines from all over the UK. We clean repair and sharpen them, and send tool kits and sewing machines to grass roots community groups in several African countries. At present TFSR Cymru concentrates its overseas efforts in Tanzania. TFSR Cymru currently have about 70 volunteers, men and women aged 14 to 85. We meet at one of several sessions a week in our workshop, where we repair and renovate hand tools by the thousand. The tools are donated by individuals or collected by a wide variety of other organisations from across Wales – Rotary Clubs, Schools, WI groups, Church groups. We are also funding our joint SIDO Wales Tools Workshop in Mwanza. This workshop is employing 4 people and producing more than 200 kits per year for local artisan groups.

Further Information: https://www.tfsrcymru.org.uk/about-us/

Amelia Trust Farm

The Amelia Trust is a working farm set on 160 acres of countryside in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan.

Visitors are invited to see, hear and smell a working farm, which is providing an alternative education for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people working with skilled staff and volunteers. The many other people that make up the daily community on the farm include volunteers, adults with learning difficulties on work placements and members of the public enjoying the wonders of nature which offer a calming and therapeutic environment. It is a fantastic recipe that makes the Amelia Trust Farm an amazing place to be. The Amelia Trust Farm employs 16 staff (through a mix of full and part time) and has the support of around 100 regular volunteers. It generates income through the services it provides but also relies on the generous support of those who regularly donate to the work of this charity. The Amelia Trust is an educational intervention that supports young people who find the traditional education pathway difficult. It is a total sensory experience within a farming environment.

Placement referrals are made by schools, pupil referral units and social services across South Wales.

When visiting the farm you are able to see accredited activity based sessions being delivered by our Care Farm staff.

Further Information: http://www.ameliatrust.org.uk/about/

Nant Gwrtheyrn

Nant Gwrtheyrn was an abandoned village in the 1970s following the closure of the quarries. The redundant houses, offices, chapel and shops constructed during the quarry’s heyday between 1860 and 1920,when over 2,000 men worked the granite, had fallen into rack and ruin. The Nant Gwrtheyrn Trust, a registered charity was formed through the energies of Dr Carl Clowes, the local GP and others and eventually they bought the village and set about renovating the old buildings and developed a centre to teach Welsh to adults which also attracted other groups to enjoy the unique ambience of this peaceful valley. Between 2007 and 2010 a £5m renovation of the listed village at Nant Gwrtheyrn was realised through grant aid principally from the European Commission, The Welsh Assembly Government and The Heritage Lottery Fund. This grant aid has helped to establish a unique residential centre and day visitor attraction at Nant Gwrtheyrn.

Further Information: http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/about-nant

Community Food Co-operatives

The Rural Regeneration Unit (RRU) is an award winning Social Enterprise, governed by an independent Board. We specialise in designing and delivering social and economic projects that help regenerate communities. Promoting sustainable links between rural and urban communities is one of our key strategic aims meaning, in essence, the RRU is a social inclusion unit dedicated to people based, bottom up regeneration.

The RRU has formed many community food co-operatives across the UK and we presently oversee in excess of 300 community food co-operatives across Wales. Where possible we link food co-ops to local growers or suppliers, supporting the local economy and in turn reducing food miles. These community groups have formed the basis for the delivery of a broad range of sustainable community based initiatives such as ‘Cook & Eat’ sessions, farm visits, fruit tuck shops in schools and ‘Fuel for Sport’.

Further Information: http://www.foodcoopswales.org.uk/

Artisans Collective

Artisans Collective formed during 2012 by a group of local crafts people and artists. Who were organizing weekly Artisan markets on Prestatyn High Street. To help awareness of local shopping during the opening of a new shopping park in town.

The group saw the opportunity to develop the idea further and formalized their structure by becoming a social enterprise, and became a Community Interest Company. The original concept was to use the centre as an outlet for local artisan products with each participant paying a weekly rent. But quickly found out that due to demand there was a need for health and wellbeing activities, particularly to enable citizens to age well in our locality.

Since opening in November 2014 the centre has evolved into a community hub, due to local demand for the activities we now hold. Currently we facilitate, Men’s Shed Prestatyn, Prestatyn Dementia Friendly Community, Coffee Pod bereavement group, weekly art and craft groups and lots more.

We reach all ages and social backgrounds and are the North Wales community hub of Kew Gardens Via their Grow Wild outreach project. We participate in Wales in Bloom, and all of the local events and festivals. We are transforming a site that was once a waste disposal site and was covered by Japanese Knotweed and attracts anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping into a wildflower meadow/recreation area.

Further Information at: https://artisans-collective.org.uk/

Pedal Power Pedal Power is a charity based in Cardiff that encourages and enables children and adults of all ages and abilities to experience the benefits of cycling. We strive to remove the barriers to cycling that many people face and work to a key set of values. Though the benefits of walking and cycling to people’s health are well recognised, many of us fail to get the exercise and regular physical activity that we need. Think how much harder it is to exercise if you are disabled and equipment and facilities are not geared to your needs. Imagine how isolating it can be not to be able to undertake exercise alongside friends and family. Here at Pedal Power, we have a whole range of specially adapted trikes and bikes designed for children and adults with impairments. What’s more, we have regular bikes that friends, family and care workers can use, so that cycling can be a social activity too. We also run a welcoming café so that the visit to Pedal Power is even more sociable and rewarding. Pedal Power operates an environment friendly bike refurbishment and re-sale programme with the help of dedicated volunteers.

Further Information: http://www.cardiffpedalpower.org/about/

Menter Môn

Menter Môn was established in 1995 to deliver EU rural development programmes. It is a third sector company with a board of directors made up of the private, voluntary and community sector.

Its primary aim is to facilitate rural economic regeneration on Ynys Môn. In order to achieve this Menter Môn recognise the importance of preserving and celebrating the islands unique and valuable resources, from the Welsh language and Red Squirrel, to our stunning coastline and able young people. Menter Môn has worked closely with towns and villages across Anglesey since 1995. With funding from various European and Welsh Government programmes we have restored community assets, supported events, established community enterprises and promoted local heritage. These activities have encouraged a sense of community ownership and have breathed new life into villages that have suffered the loss of many key amenities in recent years.

Further Information: http://www.mentermon.com

FareShare Cymru

FareShare Cymru was established in 2010 and began delivering food in July 2011. We are at the centre of two of the most urgent issues that face the UK – food poverty and food waste.

Our vision is of a Wales where no good food goes to waste. A Wales where food waste is minimised and any surplus food is used to benefit those that need it most. Our aim is to divert the edible food currently treated as waste by the food manufacturers and retailers and distribute it to disadvantaged people across Wales who can benefit by eating it. We turn an environmental problem into a social solution, helping to feed thousands of people each week. We take surplus edible food from the food and drink industry (food that would otherwise be wasted) and redistribute it to organisations in Wales that feed people in need, turning an environmental problem into a social solution.

Further Information: http://www.fareshare.cymru/

Forest School Wales

An interest in building Emotional Intelligence is crucial to the Forest School approach, and means that all sessions will allow time for social interaction, including opportunities for teamwork, individual and group reviews and informal Play and socialising. Another core theme is increasing Environmental Awareness and knowledge, with obvious links to Sustainability and Global Citizenship. Fully qualified Forest School leaders help to facilitate the developing of coping strategies which in turn affect positive emotional and behavioural changes. Forest School allows participants the time and space to develop skills, interests and understanding through practical hands-on experiences. The Forest School approach focuses on the process of learning rather than the outcomes and of course, the longer a programme runs the more beneficial it will be. At least ten sessions may be considered necessary for initial projects. Schools are increasingly looking to provide year round provision for their pupils, with great benefits. Time allows for repetition, the development of confidence as well as the consolidation and transfer of skills.

Further Information: http://www.forestschoolwales.org.uk/

Green Shoots

Green Shoots is a Social Firm established to offer training and employment opportunities to young people who face disadvantage and barriers to employment. Set up in response to growing demand, Green Shoots provides buffets and sandwich deliveries to businesses and organizations across Cardiff. We believe in sourcing fair-trade and local produce, with many of our vegetables supplied by our organically certified project in the Vale of Glamorgan (Field Days Organic). We also minimise our impact to the environment by supplying recycled or reusable plates and cutlery to reduce waste to landfill from our business.

Antur Waunfawr

The establishment of Antur Waunfawr in 1984 stemmed from the vision of R. Gwynn Davies, and the strong support he received from the people of the Waunfawr area. By now, it is a leading social enterprise providing employment and training opportunities for people with learning disabilities in their own community.

Antur Waunfawr is committed to developing in a sustainable way – which means that protecting the natural environment and developing green businesses is integral to the values of the company.

Antur’s vision, however, is to combine this with the concept of integrating people with learning difficulties to every aspect of our work. The recycling projects are a key part of this integrating process, and our Caergylchu, Warws Werdd and Beics Menai Bikes projects offer a range of work and training opportunities.

Further Information: http://www.anturwaunfawr.org/en/

Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners Pembrokeshire has some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the UK which provides habitat for a diverse range of fauna and flora. This habitat and the wildlife it supports have come under increasing pressure in recent times. Coast Care aims to involve people in caring for their local, coastal environment where volunteers can adopt a beach or stretch of coastline and carry out activities such as litter picks, dune maintenance and environmental education events.

Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners or N.A.R.C for short mimic the beach litter picks carried out by Coast Care groups with the only difference being they are carried out underwater! The organisation is made up of voluntary divers with a passion for keeping the underwater environment in Pembrokeshire as pristine as it should be.

Divers descend in buddy pairs armed with scissors, bags, trays, lifting bags and a great belief in what they are doing. Dives can last almost an hour in which litter is collected, bagged and sent to the surface for retrieval by a support boat. The diversity of litter found on dives is staggering with mobile phones, shopping trolleys, bicycles, revolving chairs, skate boards, batteries and quite literally the kitchen sink! The highest presence of litter is from recreational fishing with weights, rods, hooks and endless amounts of line retrieved from dives all around the county. Once retrieved the various items are cleaned, sorted, recorded and recycled where possible.

Further Information: http://www.narc-cc.org.uk/about-us/

Actif Woods Wales Actif Woods Wales’ aim is to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of the most disadvantaged people through outdoor woodland activities which promote health and well-being.

An impact model evolved, partnering health and social care organisations with woodland leaders, and providing training and support to develop cross-sector skills and services for people with a wide range of health conditions. Currently activities are running in 5 areas of Wales.

Further Information: http://www.coedlleol.org.uk/actif-woods-wales/ac- tif-woods-wales-project-history/

Awel Aman Tawe

Awel Aman Tawe is a community energy project working to make a difference to the lives of people at the top of the Swansea and Amman Valleys. It aims to bring clean electricity, jobs and regeneration to the villages near the Mynydd y Gwrhyd. It has planning permission to build a two-turbine community wind farm high up on the Gwrhyd, a £6million asset that will bring low carbon energy and construction contracts to the area, together with an annual income stream from the sale of electricity of some £200,000 that will help to fund local projects.

AAT is embedded in the community, its small staff and active volunteer group live in the area, and it is committed to protecting the outstanding natural environment of the neighbourhood. It works to raise awareness of the importance of clean energy in the fight against the threat of climate change through a sustained programme of information, communication and consultation and, more recently, through an innovative range of arts activities related to climate change that often reach people at a deeper level. The quality of its work has been recognised nationally and internationally by a growing number of prestigious awards.

Further Information: http://www.awelamantawe.org.uk/

Powys Moorland Partnership

Awel Aman Tawe is a community energy project working to make a difference to the lives of people at the top of the Swansea and Amman Valleys. It aims to bring clean electricity, jobs and regeneration to the villages near the Mynydd y Gwrhyd. It has planning permission to build a two-turbine community wind farm high up on the Gwrhyd, a £6million asset that will bring low carbon energy and construction contracts to the area, together with an annual income stream from the sale of electricity of some £200,000 that will help to fund local projects.

AAT is embedded in the community, its small staff and active volunteer group live in the area, and it is committed to protecting the outstanding natural environment of the neighbourhood. It works to raise awareness of the importance of clean energy in the fight against the threat of climate change through a sustained programme of information, communication and consultation and, more recently, through an innovative range of arts activities related to climate change that often reach people at a deeper level. The quality of its work has been recognised nationally and internationally by a growing number of prestigious awards.

Further Information: http://www.awelamantawe.org.uk/

Ein Berllan – Our Orchard

Ein Berllan – Our Orchard will bring to life the vision of a community orchard to the fields surrounding the hospital site. The Health Board is working with partners to establish this innovative project which is believed to be the first of its kind at a hospital site in the UK. Our goal is to establish an ecological community health park which aims to benefit wildlife, plants and people through positive human environment interaction.

Further Information: http://www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/ein-berllan-our-orchard

Colwyn Bay Health Precinct The Colwyn Bay Health Care and Well-being Precinct is a partnership between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Conwy County Borough Council and the Welsh Rugby Union.

It aims to improve the health of people living in Conwy through community based physical activity.

This can be to prevent ill health, manage chronic illnesses, or form part of rehabilitation programmes.

The initiative was developed in response to a number of issues including reducing budgets, increasing demand for physiotherapy services, a lack of space in hospital for the intermediate care team to work in, and a growing recognition of the contribution physical activity can make to a range of health conditions.

During the refurbishment of Conwy Leisure Centre, the health board’s Head of Therapy Services and Conwy County Borough Council’s Head of Active and Creative Lifestyles worked together to create space for the Intermediate Care Team in the centre. A dedicated area within the leisure centre gave the team more space and access to a range of fitness facilities. The team also saw potential for this arrangement to provide a model for health and social services initiatives in the future. The health precinct concept has created a place where health and social care professionals can work together to provide appropriate solutions for local people.

Further Information: john.hardy@conwy.gov.uk

Cynon Valley Organic Adventures

Cynon Valley Organic Adventures is a social enterprise that offers numerous activities and services to benefit our local communities. Everyone is welcome and there is always someone around for a cuppa and a chat should you need one. We welcome community involvement so if you want to be involved in our garden in any way just chat to a member of staff.

We offer numerous activities and services for all types of groups and needs and we also have an online shop where you can buy learning resources, rocks and minerals, natural soaps and much more. Run by volunteers, our profits are used to develop our community garden and to reinvest in local community initiatives. Children are central to our cause and we welcome involvement of local schools and clubs.

Further Information: https://www.cynonvalleyorganicadventures.co.uk/

The Outdoor Partnership

Established in 2005, The Outdoor Partnership is a registered Charity inspiring local people to take up outdoor activities as a life-long pursuit. Our projects have been developed to create a continuum from grassroots through to podium and career pathways in the outdoor sector. Our sustainable participation, education, training, volunteering, and employment projects are improving the health, economic and social well-being of residents and for our future generations.

Our projects have provided over 100,000 outdoor activity opportunities for health and well-being; trained over 4000 volunteers at a SROI of £10million; helped over 500 unemployed people back into work at a SROI of £7 million; established over 80 community outdoor clubs and groups with over 7000 members regularly participating in a range of activities; provided sustainable opportunities for over 1000 disabled people through established groups and clubs; as a result increased the number of indigenous Welsh speaking instructors in the region from 4% to 25% (Bangor University Research 2003 & 2013) over the last 12 years.

Ministry of Furniture

Ministry of Furniture are experts in the field of Furniture. We recruit and work with people who understand the demands of the furniture sector. We like to work with those in Education and other sectors every day; that way we keep up to date with change.

Our employment profile is very special too. More than fifty percent of our workforce are people with disabilities, both in our business office and within our manufacturing supply chain. Over many years, we’ve become experts in the development of people and have seen the positive effect it can have on society, lives and local economies.

At Ministry of Furniture, we pride ourselves in keeping one eye on the future. An apprenticeship programme has been put in place to train, develop and retain new talent. We actively encourage this approach from partners sharing similar social aims.

For years our team developed the knowledge and skills to work with people furthest from the job market, and we’re experts in managing programmes and routes back to work for those people. We aim to use as many companies with a similar ethos as part of our supply chain as we can.

Quality & Peace of mind with a positive impact on the environment. We offer our customers a range of remanufactured products with up to 5 years guarantee.

Further Information: https://www.ministryoffurniture.com/

Wild Health Project

With the Wild Health project, Gwent Wildlife Trust is proactively engaging with the health and well-being needs of local communities by running regular workdays and recreational activities at nature reserves. These are geared towards, and will highlight, improvements in health and well-being. GP’s, hospitals and other Health Care Providers are encouraged to make direct referrals to the project, with potential participants also referring themselves. Registered participants are being invited to try out a range of recreational and habitat management activities. As well as the environmental and therapeutic benefits, the project is also supporting with other issues people are tackling such as confidence, self esteem, social isolation and employability.

Further Information: https://www.gwentwildlife.org/wildhealthproject

Men’s Sheds Cymru

‘Men’s Sheds’ are social groups or enterprises set up in local communities for the benefit of men.

They are self-governed, self- supported and sustainable with a small committee; their own individual constitution, their own income and eventually their own premises. How each individual shed looks and the activities that take place in them depend entirely on the skills and interests of the group.

You’d be forgiven for thinking a man’s shed is all about making things out of wood. While many are wood-working groups there is also a huge array of other activity on offer. Shedders are artists, collectors, story-tellers, amateur radio enthusiasts, train spotters, model makers…..Anyone is welcome and any interest, skill or project is given equal consideration – especially if it could attract new members or gain valuable income to support the development of the entire group.

Further Information: http://www.mensshedscymru.co.uk/

Clynfyw Care Farm

The Care Farm is for people who are staying in the cottages and also for local people coming in on a daily basis. We grow fruit and vegetables in two polytunnels, a fruit cage, five raised beds and an acre of land. We have a pottery and a sculpture trail woodland walk for people to enjoy and help to develop. Our Wheelie Good Idea, independent living aid refurbishment project is another project of which we are really delighted! in this project we source and repair old and unused wheelchairs and pieces of mobility equipment which we then export to the developing world where the need is huge and a wheelchair can truly be a life changing piece of equipment. We are an accredited training centre with Agored Cymru, running courses in a huge range of areas from horticulture and creative arts to setting up your own business, wheelchair refurbishment and self-empowerment. For more information, check our Learning Centre page.

Further information: http://www.clynfyw.co.uk/hort.htm

Llandrindod Repair Café

Run by Llandrindod Transition, repair cafes are fun social events where you can bring broken stuff and be shown how to mend it by skilled volunteers. Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things (together). In the place where a Repair Café is located, you’ll find tools and materials to help you make any repairs you need. On clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, crockery, appliances, toys, et cetera. You’ll also find expert volunteers, with repair skills in all kinds of fields.

Visitors bring their broken items from home. Together with the specialists they start making their repairs in the Repair Café. It’s an ongoing learning process. If you have nothing to repair, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Or you can lend a hand with someone else’s repair job. You can also get inspired at the reading table – by leafing through books on repairs and DIY. Further Information: https://www.facebook.com/LlandrindodRepairCafe/

Long Wood Community Woodland Long Wood Community Woodland (CGLWCW) is a social enterprise in based in West Wales.

Established in 2003 the woodland is managed for timber sales and as a recreational facility on a not for profit basis ensuring sustainable community focused development of the woodland as a commercial, educational and recreational community owned asset.

Further Information: http://www.longwood-lampeter.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42:home&catid=2&lang=en&Itemid=104

Tir Coed

Tir Coed is a charity and social enterprise that engages people with woodlands through volunteering, training and bespoke activities that increase well-being, develop skills and improve woodlands for the benefit of everyone. Our Vision is to unlock the potential of woodlands to provide a community facility, educational and health activities, and to create job opportunities for disadvantaged individuals in rural Wales. With the aim to make positive lasting change.

Further Information: http://tircoed.org.uk/

Cae Tan CSA

Cae Tan is a Community Supported Agriculture Project (CSA) based on The Gower Peninsula in South Wales. We grow and supply fresh, seasonal, biodynamic produce to our members weekly throughout the year.

We offer volunteering and learning opportunities to a range of groups and individuals, such as local schools to raise awareness of sustainable farming and to reconnect children and young people to the land and their food.

Further Information: http://caetancsa.org/en/

Field Days Organic In an idyllic setting with a range of opportunities for work experience, this project has a history of successfully supporting vulnerable people to develop new skills, meet new people, and think about the next phase of their development in a nurturing and therapeutic environment.

The project produces a range of vegetables and plants, an area which we are developing in order to build the sustainability of the project. The project has environmental sustainability at its heart, and uses environmentally friendly fertiliser, composting and has a wind turbine to generate electricity. It was the winner of the BIFFA Community Award in 2003 for its work in this area.

Further Information: https://www.innovate-trust.org.uk/field-days-organic/department

Stackpole Mencap Gardens

The Garden is managed by the trustees of Pembrokeshire Mencap Ltd (registered charity no 1128982) and you will be able to enjoy the extensive gardens and see first hand the impressive work undertaken by Pembrokeshire adults with learning disabilities , who produce a large range of plants, fresh fruit and vegetables that you can buy in our Garden shop.

Our aims • To provide work experience and horticultural training to adults and young people with learning disabilities • To develop participants’ social skills in a friendly and caring environment • To encourage the development of self worth and a sense of achievement through participation in a recognised qualification • To encourage inclusivity • To provide good quality fresh fruit and vegetables to local residents and visitors Further Information: https://www.stackpole-walledgardens.co.uk/

WRAP Cymru WRAP Cymru provides Wales-specific support on behalf of the Welsh Government, including its Collaborative Change Programme for local authorities, support for Wales’ resource management sector and the Recycle for Wales campaign.

Their work also includes UK-wide programmes such as the Courtauld Commitment for the grocery sector, and consumer behaviour change campaigns such as Love Food Hate Waste.

The work helps businesses, councils and householders prevent waste, recycle more and save money.

Further Information: http://www.wrapcymru.org.uk/

Edible Mach Maethlon Mach Maethlon is a community organisation based in the Dyfi Valley, giving the community access to land for growing, creating edible public spaces with volunteers and providing a seasonal veg-bag scheme.

• We believe that every person has the right to produce and consume healthy food. This is why we run a landshare scheme, create edible public spaces and provide affordable local veg bags.

• Mach Maethlon doesn’t just share food, we want everyone to know how to do it themselves.

We run educational workshops in gardening, harvesting and cooking skills for volunteers, community groups and school children. We believe in the importance of providing education and skill development for everyone.

• Food and growing are great levellers, and we use them to connect as many people as possible in the Dyfi Valley. We support a network of sustainable market gardeners through our veg box scheme, and support community members to share their resources more equitably through public food spaces and landshare agreements. We aim to connect our community by developing strong bonds with networks and institutions in our area.

• Our growers encourage and enable increased biodiversity through wildlife friendly, chemical free and low fossil-fuel production methods. We use education and participation to pass these messages onto other people in our community through skill-sharing and connecting with the customers of the veg bags.

• We want to give as many people the opportunity to experience participation, cooperation and a sense of worth. We aim to support skill development to help people back into work, children gain their first experience of gardening, and the elderly the opportunity to share their experience.

• We are a registered co-operative and believe that co-operative values and principles facilitate inclusion and democracy in key community issues.

Further Information: http://www.machmaethlon.org/