Latest news with #GrŵpCynefin
Business News Wales
5 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Social Housing Associations Highlight Community Impact at Eisteddfod
Providing a quality home is essential to people's health and well-being and has wider positive impacts on the local community. That was one of the key discussion points at a discussion hosted by four north Wales social housing associations on the Eisteddfod Maes in Wrexham. The impact of the housing sector, the importance of the social value provided to local communities, supporting tenants through the cost of living crisis and community engagement were some of the other key topics discussed at the session. On the panel were Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra; Osian Elis, Head of Supported Housing at North Wales Housing Association, Ffion Pittendreigh, Community Initiatives Manager at Grŵp Cynefin, Claire Morgan, Head of People from ClwydAlyn and Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Môn. A panel spokesperson said: 'We were delighted to host such an important discussion on the Eisteddfod Maes. 'Social housing associations across north Wales provide a valuable role and have a significant impact on communities, providing quality homes and being significant employers. 'But we are more than simply housing associations- we provide a range of additional support to our customers. 'The cost of living crisis continues to have an impact on tenants right across the region and we have been providing a supporting role through helping direct tenants to advice and financial support. This helps their health and well-being in terms of maximising their income and providing practical energy efficiency advice and support to reduce increasing fuel bills. 'Community engagement is a significant element of our work. We work with a range of community groups to arrange educational, environmental and social events and initiatives to support our tenants. This is supported by projects to make our communities safer. 'The social housing sector also supports the local economy by awarding contracts to small and medium sized businesses, as well as larger contractors. This helps keep the pound local, supports local firms to employ local staff and helps protect the Welsh language and culture by providing quality jobs locally. 'But we cannot do this work alone and we have examples of great partnership within the housing sector regionally and nationally, but also with a wide range of public, voluntary and private sectors – all working together to support tenants and help our communities across north Wales to thrive.'
Business News Wales
6 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Housing Charity Seeks Board Members to Support New Commercial Venture
Canllaw, Penygroes, New Premises – Gwynfor Evans, Wyn Parry, Elfyn Owen, Catrin Williams, Owain Feaver, Iwan Lloyd, Zara Tudor-Jones A North Wales charity that helps older people stay in their own homes is looking for entrepreneurs and business people to launch a new commercial venture. Canllaw, which provides a care and repair service across Gwynedd and Anglesey, is looking to recruit up to six new volunteer board members and create five jobs as part of the expansion. The organisation, a subsidiary of the Grŵp Cynefin housing association, assists homeowners and tenants in private sector housing aged 60 or over. Its mission is to enable them to live in comfort, safety and warmth by helping them with all kinds of improvements, adaptations and advice. The Canllaw board has currently six people on it, and is seeking more members. Chief Officer Elfyn Owen said the charity wants to appoint a minimum of two and up to six new board members to fill the skills gap created by the new enterprise. He said: 'As well as delivering on our charitable objectives, we have two trading elements in the business. 'Canllaw Addasu carries out home adaptation works and Canllaw Technegol project manages major works such as extensions and conversions to clients homes. 'The new development is that we are now also installing kitchens and bathrooms on a commercial basis for Grŵp Cynefin in its homes in the two counties. 'We're looking for entrepreneurs and people with commercial experience or those with a background in construction or the law. 'We have already have board members who have experience in the public sector, health and social care, governance and finance so the priority will be finding people with experience in the private and commercial sector. 'On the other hand we're not saying that we wouldn't consider anybody from the public sector if they have the skills to enhance and add value to the board which oversees the three main elements in what we do. 'The charitable side of the operation is carried out by the care and repair team who help older people who are disabled or are vulnerable in some way, providing free advice about home repairs, adaptations or improvements to meet their needs and in some cases we can help them access funding to cover the cost. 'As we are developing our commercial trading operation, why we're looking for people with those skills to provide guidance in that particular field. 'In short we're looking for people who can contribute and provide strategic leadership to work with Canllaw to enable vulnerable people to stay in their own homes or come home sooner from hospital. 'What we do makes a tangible difference to our clients' quality of life and I know our volunteer board members feel it's very worthwhile and satisfying meeting the changing needs of people as they grow older. 'We receive public money from the Welsh Government, local government and the health board to support the activities of the charitable side of the operation, helping people to live independently in their own homes. 'There is a significant return on that investment because every £1 invested in the repairs and adaptations generates a saving of £7.50 for health and social care services. 'As well as saving a huge amount of money, it also relieves the pressure on hospitals and other statutory services that are struggling to keep up with the growing demand. We provide a lot of bang for their buck. 'In terms of revenue, we have a turnover of £1.5 million and we are expanding the Canllaw Addasu operation and recruiting five more people to the team to carry out kitchen and bathroom installations for Grŵp Cynefin in their housing stock. 'That's a new commercial venture in addition to what we have traditionally done and it will increase turnover to around £2 million and create extra income which will be recycled to support the charitable side of things. 'The public purse is under pressure like never before and the grants we receive does not necessarily meet all of the needs of our clients. 'So the need to develop other sustainable solutions is part of business model going forward – to benefit our clients and support our charitable obligations.' The new board members will be expected to devote an average of one day of their time every month, attending quarterly meetings as well as strategy meetings and workshops. 'If anybody is interested I would ask them to get in touch with me in the first instance,' said Mr Owen. Anybody wanting more information can contact Elfyn Owen by email at elfyn@ or on 07702 191 828.
Business News Wales
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Maes Deudraeth Development Delivers 41 New Affordable Homes in Eryri
Residents have been welcomed into their new homes at Maes Deudraeth in Penrhyndeudraeth. The properties, which include 41 timber-framed, energy-efficient houses and apartments, form part of the Gwynedd Affordable Housing Development Programme and have been developed by ClwydAlyn and Grŵp Cynefin. The new development is the result of a £10 million scheme built by Williams Homes (Bala) on behalf of ClwydAlyn and Grŵp Cynefin and in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd and Welsh Government. Where possible, the construction has been done using locally sourced materials, and working with a local workforce and suppliers; strengthening community ties. Resident Mairi has just moved into the development, with her daughter. Mairi said: 'I love my new home; I'm trying to stay cool but I'm very excited. It's a massive change as myself and my young daughter Maisie had been living in hotel accommodation for the past nine months, and now this will be our forever home. 'I keep asking myself is this a dream. I'm very grateful to ClwydAlyn and Barry, my Housing Officer, for all his support.' Development Project Manager for ClwydAlyn, Helen Williams, said: 'Our homes are not just about bricks and mortar. We recognise the importance of allowing our residents to make their homes in the areas where they grew up or have long-terms links. 'There is a severe shortage of local homes, where families and individuals can live within their means. Amidst a landscape of rising house prices, limited availability and increasingly difficult financial situations for people, we're glad that we have been able to create this stable community. 'It's been a pleasure to work with Grŵp Cynefin on this scheme, which reflects the extraordinary character of Eryri, whilst meeting the needs of local people.' Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, Councillor Paul Rowlinson, said: 'It's a real milestone to see residents moving into their new homes in Penrhyndeudraeth. Building affordable, high-quality homes like these at Maes Deudraeth is a key priority for us, especially with over 4,300 people currently on the waiting list for a social home in Gwynedd. We are working hard to tackle the housing crisis, which continues to have a serious impact on our communities. By working in close partnership with housing associations like ClwydAlyn and Grŵp Cynefin, we can deliver the energy-efficient, sustainable, and modern homes that the people of Gwynedd so urgently need.' Group Cynefin Chief Executive Mel Evans said: 'We were delighted to work in partnership with ClwydAlyn to provide much needed high quality housing at Maes Deudraeth. 'This development is about so much more than the bricks and mortar – it's about changing people's lives for the better. 'It was wonderful to see the first eight tenants have settled in and are so happy in their new homes.' The development forms part of the Gwynedd Affordable Housing Development Programme which aims to achieve the council's goal of building 700 social homes throughout the county within the lifetime of its Housing Action Plan.
North Wales Chronicle
28-04-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Residents move into affordable Penrhyndeudraeth development
The homes at Maes Deudraeth in Penrhyndeudraeth include 41 timber-framed, energy-efficient houses and apartments. The scheme is part of the Gwynedd Affordable Housing Development Programme and is the result of a £10 million scheme built by Williams Homes (Bala) on behalf of ClwydAlyn and Grŵp Cynefin and in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd and Welsh Government. The affordable homes have been built with Welsh timber-frames and by using modern methods of construction. This ensures that the energy-efficient new properties will be economical to run and boast sustainable credentials. Where possible, construction has been done using locally sourced materials and with suppliers from the area. Clwyd Alyn's Barry Evans with Maisie, aged five (Image: Mandy Jones) Resident Mairi moved into the development with her daughter, Maisie. She said: "I love my new home; I'm trying to stay cool but I'm very excited. It's a massive change as myself and my young daughter Maisie had been living in hotel accommodation for the past nine months, and now this will be our forever home. 'I keep asking myself is this a dream. I'm very grateful to ClwydAlyn and Barry Evans , my Housing Officer, for all his support.' Helen Williams, Development Project Manager for ClwydAlyn, said: 'Our homes are not just about bricks and mortar. We recognise the importance of allowing our residents to make their homes in the areas where they grew up or have long-terms links. 'There is a severe shortage of local homes, where families and individuals can live within their means. Amidst a landscape of rising house prices, limited availability and increasingly difficult financial situations for people, we're glad that we have been able to create this stable community. The development in the heart of Eryri (Image: Mandy Jones) 'It's been a pleasure to work with Grŵp Cynefin on this scheme, which reflects the extraordinary character of Eryri, whilst meeting the needs of local people.' Councillor Paul Rowlinson, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said: 'It's a real milestone to see residents moving into their new homes in Penrhyndeudraeth. Building affordable, high-quality homes like these at Maes Deudraeth is a key priority for us, especially with over 4,300 people currently on the waiting list for a social home in Gwynedd. We are working hard to tackle the housing crisis, which continues to have a serious impact on our communities. "By working in close partnership with housing associations like ClwydAlyn and Grŵp Cynefin, we can deliver the energy-efficient, sustainable, and modern homes that the people of Gwynedd so urgently need.' Mel Evans, Group Cynefin Chief Executive, said: 'We were delighted to work in partnership with ClwydAlyn to provide much needed high quality housing at Maes Deudraeth. 'This development is about so much more than the bricks and mortar – it's about changing people's lives for the better. 'It was wonderful to see the first eight tenants have settled in and are so happy in their new homes.' The Gwynedd Affordable Housing Development Programme aims to fulfil the council's goal of building 700 social homes throughout the county within the lifetime of its Housing Action Plan.
