Built It Glyncoch

The smart guy on the left is Hywel Williams, Project Leader of Build It Glyncoch (nick named Papa Smurf by some of his team!). As you can see he’s just taken delivery of a nice shiny new van! There’ll be no hiding place with those bright colours (!) and we’re very grateful to Dragon Truck and Van of Merthyr for their sponsorship. Now Hywel has wheels he doesn’t have to store a pick axe, shovel and tools in his own boot! This month Hywel and his happy gang finished digging a trench for the polytunnel at Cefn School and then used time credits earned to go bowling and have Big Macs.

The Build It project from the People & Work Unit is funded for 5 years by Rank and is involved with a number of voluntary projects in Glyncoch – decorating, environmental and wood working during the summer holidays – with the express aim of helping develop construction skills. Hywel will then be supporting a number of young people into apprenticeships. There’s a huge amount of housing maintenance and development work coming to all parts of Wales and we don’t want Glyncoch to miss out on the employment opportunities right on our doorstep.

Communities First in collaboration with the People & Work Unit have also just appointed a homework support worker for 12 hours per week. Jess Adams will begin in the summer holidays by joining in with current projects, giving her time to meet as many people as possible. There will be a lunchtime club twice a week in Pontypridd High School followed by a late afternoon club in Glyncoch with the specific aim of helping pupils with GCSE work. Our aim is to increase the numbers gaining A* - C grades. The other brilliant news is that we have received a grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Trust to fund an adult learning support worker for 3 years in Glyncoch. Sue Barrow will be taking up this opportunity in October. Watch this space for details!!

Further information on any of these opportunities from:-

James Hall, Project Manager, People & Work Unit