A ‘New Start’ For Local Learners

A number of learners have successfully obtained qualifications and new skills through the ‘New Start’ programme which is being delivered by Caerphilly County Borough Council and Growing Space at the Hafod Deg Resource Centre in Rhymney, through the Welsh Government funded Communities First programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In total 42 qualifications were obtained by 22 learners, who were presented with certificates for their achievements at a celebration event held at Hafod Deg last month. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

‘New Start’ is a programme run by Upper Rhymney Valley Communities First team and Growing Space; a registered mental health charity founded in 1992. The programme is designed to act as a stepping stone into the countryside management, horticulture or construction industries, whilst also providing participants with training, team working skills and improved fitness levels. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

All ‘New Start’ learners work towards Agored Cymru’s Suite of Personal and Social Education (PSE) qualifications and, to enable leaners to take the next step in their journey to returning to employment, Growing Space also delivers Agored Cymru’s Suite of Work Related Education (WRE) qualifications. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gerald, a ‘New Start’ learner, said “I’ve been coming here for 10 months, I like coming here because of the new skills I’m learning. I’m doing something I wouldn’t have attempted – I’m learning without realising. I now know how to use a variety of tools. It’s a good bunch of people.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Hafod Deg Resource Centre reopened last year following extensive refurbishments. These improvements were made possible with funding of over £230,000 from Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places Tackling Poverty fund, alongside £66,000 funding provided by the council. An additional grant of over £190,000 has also been awarded from Welsh Government to enable further improvements to be made at Hafod Deg. These improvements will include creating additional outdoor space to accommodate the increasing numbers of people participating in the ‘New Start’ programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Certificates were presented by Cllr Ken James, the council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development, who commented, “Programmes like ‘New Start’ are really effective in helping people build a range of skills and knowledge. As well as being given the opportunity to gain qualifications and hands-on experience, the programme also helps build people’s confidence and improve their overall health and wellbeing. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting the group today and would like to congratulate them all on their achievements. It’s also been excellent meeting the team responsible for delivering the programme and to see how passionate they are about it.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​