The Community Impact Initiative won the Supporting Communities Award for its work in South Wales. Catrin Evans explains its work
Across South Wales, people are struggling. Over the past three years, issues already prevalent in our communities such as unemployment and social isolation have been exacerbated due to the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. People who once lived comfortably can now only afford the very basics. We have come to recognise, understandably, a general attitude of pessimism and anxiety across our communities, with many feeling stuck and unable to find opportunities to change their lives for the better.
At the Community Impact Initiative (CII), we work directly with people facing difficult circumstances, giving them the opportunity to make long-term, positive changes in their lives. Our Community Regeneration Programme provides opportunities for people facing socio-economic barriers in South Wales to gain skills, achieve qualifications and improve their wellbeing through the renovation of empty properties. Since we started in 2016, our organisation has regenerated eight empty properties and helped over 250 people to change their lives for the better.
Last November, we completed a project in Glynneath, which supported 28 local people over six months. We began the project in April 2022. Our tutors, Liam and Dai, welcomed the participants on to the project and quickly got to work teaching them a wide range of skills, including plastering, tiling, painting, kitchen and bathroom fitting and carpentry.
Our engagement and wellbeing officer, Abi, was also on hand to ensure that everyone was having a good experience, and to provide extra support and advice when needed. After a challenging few years due to the pandemic, and more recently the rising cost of living, Abi was conscious of how vital her wellbeing support would be on this particular project. Sure enough, the cost of living crisis affected every part of the project from travel and food expenses to qualification achievement.
The most obvious effect of the cost of living crisis was the clear financial strain it was having on our participants. Project staff saw several instances of participants not being able to afford lunch. One participant bought lunch but chose to save it so that he would have something for his evening meal. Another confided in Abi that he and his mum were struggling to pay their electric bill. It was clear that things were beginning to look dire for our communities.
Recognising that immediate action was needed, we made several changes to the project so that we could more effectively support our participants through the crisis. After our tutors raised concerns that people were coming to the project in unsuitable clothing, we began providing t-shirts so that participants didn’t have to dirty their own clothes. Wellbeing support was also increased in several areas, including employment and qualification support, to reflect the effect the crisis was having on overall support needs. These changes were effective: 75 per cent of the participants in our Glynneath project moved into employment, work experience or further education, against a target of 50 per cent.
We’re proud to say that our project helped to create lasting change. Tim joined the project after losing his job due to Covid. Having to navigate a global pandemic and a diagnosis of autism, his confidence was low. When he joined us, he was very anxious but excited to get started and meet new people. Tim quickly took to the project activities and got along well with the tutors and other participants.
Working with Abi, Tim achieved the Level 3 Emergency First Aid in the Workplace qualification and passed the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) test the first time. He has successfully found part-time employment with a local retailer and is looking for a work placement for the future to help him reach his career goals.
Having passed his qualifications, Tim told us: ‘I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you guys. You’ve helped me so much with my construction skills and my self-esteem.’
After a challenging project and a difficult year for our communities, winning the Supporting Communities Award at the CIH Welsh Housing Awards means the world to all of us at The Cii. Our project staff have gone above and beyond this year, supporting our participants to navigate these complicated and distressing times. We want to thank the CIH for recognising and celebrating this hard work.
Catrin Evans is trusts & foundations fundraising officer at The Community Impact Initiative C.I.C.