Latest news with #HelenCunningham
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Community spirit transforms garden at Augusta House
Augusta House, a learning disability respite service in Victoria Park, Blaenau Gwent, received the garden makeover through a community project led by volunteers, schools, and organisations. The project was designed to create a welcoming and stimulating outdoor environment for residents and their families. Cllr Helen Cunningham, cabinet member for adults and communities, said: "The Augusta House Gardening Project is a shining example of how community spirit and collaboration can create meaningful change. Dozens volunteered (Image: Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council) "Seeing volunteers, local schools and organisations come together to transform this space is truly inspiring. "This garden will become a lasting legacy for residents to cherish and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed their time, energy and resources to make it happen." The project involved volunteers from British Gas, Pen-y-Cwm School, St Mary's RC Primary School, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, and the Friends of Augusta group. British Gas provided decorative metal panels, while Able Touch Joinery in Tredegar donated planters and wind chimes. Helen Beecham, service manager at Augusta House, said: "We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity, kindness and community spirit shown by everyone who contributed to the Augusta House Gardening Project. "Seeing volunteers, schools and local organisations come together to create such a beautiful space has been incredibly uplifting." The Council's Neighbourhood Services Team delivered a truckload of compost and chippings from its green waste project at Silent Valley. The sensory garden has also been designed to support wildlife, with insect hotels, solitary bee homes, and bird and bat boxes, all donated by the council's biodiversity team. Cheryl Jones and Suzanne Cadwallader from Friends of Augusta said: "We couldn't thank you all enough. "It's truly been overwhelming to see so many stepping forward to help us achieve the vision we set out for our garden. "I think we have surpassed all expectation on how fantastic it's turned out. "It looks so vibrant and welcoming. "We are blessed to have such thoughtful and generous people in our community." Augusta House staff provided volunteers with a buffet lunch and bottled water on the day of the makeover.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Blaenau Gwent Council awarded £250,000 for nature project
The Nature Networks Fund has given the grant to Blaenau Gwent Council to help understand the value and connectivity of ecosystems across Gwent. The project will explore the benefits these ecosystems provide for both people and nature. The Nature Networks Fund is a collaborative programme between The Heritage Fund, Welsh Government, and Natural Resources Wales, set up to address ecological challenges. In partnership with Natural Resources Wales and other regional organisations, the council will create plans for resilient ecological networks. These plans will guide habitat improvements, nature recovery actions, and highlight the importance of environmental wellbeing. Helen Cunningham, cabinet member for place and environment, said: "We are committed to tackling the climate and nature emergencies declared by the council. "This support from the Nature Networks Fund, distributed by the Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, will enable us to work in partnership to make positive changes for people and nature here in Blaenau Gwent and across the region." Steve Morgan, head of southeast Wales operations at Natural Resources Wales, said: "This project will enable us to achieve significant acceleration towards building ecosystem resilience through a Resilient Ecological Networks (RENs) approach across Gwent, helping us better understand and maximise the fundamental role and value of nature and ecosystem services that underpin our wellbeing, prosperity, culture, and identity across our distinct landscapes and habitats. "The project also highlights the commitment in Gwent to working collaboratively and in partnership to support nature's recovery, contributing towards meeting our Corporate Plan Vision and Wellbeing Goals where biodiversity is protected, valued, restored, and wisely used so that nature and people genuinely thrive together in a way that is sustainable for future generations. "I look forward to seeing the successful progress of this project as it develops in contribution to our collective efforts in taking urgent action to halt and reverse the decline in biodiversity at the pace and scale needed, building ecosystem resilience as a nature-based solutions approach to climate change and pollution, as well as enhancing opportunities and benefits for the health, wellbeing, and resilience of nature and people equitably and inclusively in Gwent." The Nature Networks Fund aims to strengthen the resilience of Wales's network of protected land and marine sites, supporting nature's recovery while actively encouraging community engagement. Improving the condition of these protected and connected sites will enable them to function better as nature networks. Nature networks are vital, resilient areas where habitats and species can thrive and expand. Restoring connectivity in these networks will prevent further declines in species and habitat condition, support nature recovery, and enhance capacity to adapt to the climate crisis. This fund will also support the active involvement of communities in and around protected sites. Strengthening engagement with nature has direct health and wellbeing benefits for people, as well as improving the resilience of the sites themselves. The protected sites network covers Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, and other Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). For further information about protected areas of land and sea, visit the Natural Resources Wales website.
