Nature and surfing schemes benefit from rural investment

This follows funding that’s been previously awarded to other projects as part of the first funding round.

Schemes to have successfully bid for round two project funding include:

• The Surf to Success project run by Surf Therapy based in Swansea and Gower, which will work with people aged between 18 and 25 in the criminal justice system. The project will enable them to take part in surf therapy sessions and gain the practical knowledge and skills needed to become surf mentors and coaches and develop the skills needed to gain employment in future.
• Led by Cae Felin CSA, a project based at the Cae Felin community garden site to restore wildlife and foster community spirit by connecting people with wildlife through nature-based volunteering.
• The volunteer-based Graig y Coed woodland project led by Llanrhidian Higher Community Council, which is transforming a derelict woodland site into a nature park.

All projects that submit funding applications are assessed by a rural advisory group.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, a member of the group and Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “Rural communities make an important contribution to our city and county’s economy and culture, which is why the funding of rural projects is such a key theme of our Shared Prosperity Fund investment in Swansea.

“Over £380,000 has now been committed to rural projects in Swansea in recent months, with many more to follow because of a third round of funding applications that’s now being assessed.

“The combination of the schemes we’ve now approved for funding will benefit many thousands of people throughout Swansea and beyond.”

Hamish Osborn, of Natural Resources Wales, chairs the rural advisory group.

He said: “From energy efficiency works, biodiversity projects and volunteering initiatives to rambling trails, a surfing programme and a flower market, this funding will boost a huge variety of rural schemes in Swansea.

“We look forward to approving other rural projects in Swansea that will benefit from similar funding in the coming months.”

Other schemes to have recently been approved include a Rural Community Voices project led by Mawr Community Council, where a feasibility study is planned to enable the two villages of Garnswllt and Craig Cefn Parc to adapt and progress as active, intergenerational rural communities.

A feasibility study will also be carried out to establish options and costings for a refurbishment and energy efficiency retrofit at Llanmadoc and Cheriton Village Hall.

At the Welfare Hall in Loughor, investment will lead to new IT equipment, new energy efficiency measures and the training of voluntary IT instructors.