Lottery funded projects make a positive difference in Bangor

Members of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Wales Committee visited four National Lottery funded projects in and around Bangor and Caernarfon this week, to see some of the positive impacts that National Lottery money is having in North-West Wales. 

They started the tour at MaesNi, in Maesgeirchen, Bangor. MaesNi is one of 13 long term place-based investments supported through Building Communities Trust’s Invest Local programme, which was awarded endowment funding of £16.5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund in 2016.  

The Invest Local programme, which started in 2016, has been supporting the residents of Maesgeirchen ever since, offering the community £1m in funding, alongside support and advice to enable local people to build on their strengths and talents, and take action to make their area a better place to live.  

Volunteers and staff members met the Committee and showed them the many sites that had been improved on the estate, thanks to the funding, including the Hive Garden, the Fun Zone play park, and the youth club.  

Gwen Thirsk, Invest Local Officer said: “The long-term nature of Invest Local funding and a community-led approach has allowed local people to come together to help determine what changes really matter to residents in Maesgeirchen. In deciding these priorities, a genuine sense of trust and confidence has been established and the community’s input has created a plan to support the wellbeing of residents. Not only are people now benefitting from the great work that has already taken place here, but it is also encouraging residents to become more involved and lead projects, to have their voices heard, and to develop a sense of ownership and pride in the future of their area.” 

The Committee then put on their dancing shoes and took part in Sistema Cymru-Codi’r To samba and rhythm session led by children from Ysgol Glancegin, Maesgeirchen.  

Codi’r To is a community development project that aims to improve the lives of individuals and families through music in disadvantaged communities, in North Wales. 

Over the last eight years, they’ve received over £225,000 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. The Committee went to Plas Hedd Residential Home where Sistema Cymru-Codi’r To held a music session for the residents. The pupils from Ysgol Glancegin got the opportunity to co-lead on the session with Bari, Codi’r To’s Music Director. 

Y Bartneriaeth Awyr Agored/ The Outdoor Partnership, in Plas Menai, Felinheli was the next project visited by the Committee. There they met Tracey Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Mark Jones, Programme Manager and a beneficiary, who is now employed by The Outdoor Partnership thanks to National Lottery funding. The Committee heard more about how £3.4 million of National Lottery money is used to increase participation by local people, in the outdoor activities sector in North Wales. 

Finally, in the evening The Fund’s Wales Committee went to visit Llofft, Felinheli for an evening reception with local stakeholders. The stakeholders had the opportunity to voice issues of strategic relevance to North Wales so that the Committee could consider these in relation to The Fund’s new Strategy – ‘It Starts with Community’.     

Llofft is a café/bar, restaurant and above all, a community hub, that was renovated with a £299,779 grant from The Fund’s Coastal Communities Programme, which was distributed on behalf of the Welsh Government.  

Elen ap Robert and Dylan Huws, LLOFFT Directors:  “We are very grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting the development of LLOFFT. It has enabled us to adapt and extend an old sailing loft in Felinheli into a new bar, café and kitchen for locals and visitors alike. With this support we have appointed a Manager and Head Chef and created work opportunities for young people in the area. Our aim is to create a welcoming and contemporary space which celebrates the Welsh language, Welsh produce, and the heritage and history of our unique village here on the Menai Strait. Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund.” 

Simone Lowthe Thomas, Wales Chair, said: “It’s been a real pleasure seeing and hearing more about the fantastic work that is happening in North Wales, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. I’d like to thank Maes Ni-BCT, Sistema Cymru-Codi’r To, Y Bartneriaeth Awyr Agored/ The Outdoor Partnership and Llofft for their welcome and giving me a glimpse of the difference, they make to their local communities.”