EUROPE & SOUTH EAST Building a brighter future

Produced by the South East Wales Specialist European Team 2014 CELEBRATING EUROPEAN SUCCESS CONTENTS

1: SUPPORTING SOCIAL ENTERPRISES More than 90 different social enterprises have been created in the region thanks to the success of the South East Wales Community Economic Development Programme (SEWCED). 2: SUPPORTING BUSINESSES The impact of European funding on the people and communities of south Supporting businesses in south east Wales has been a priority for European east Wales has been hugely significant. At a time when economic austerity funding, and the Local Investment Fund (LIF) has been one of the key programmes supporting economic growth in the region. has placed enormous pressures on our public services, the funding has been 3: SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE a valuable source of income, helping to ensure the delivery of vital projects in Across south east Wales, thousands of young people have been benefited from a range of projects all aimed at providing them with extra support to help them fulfil some of the most deprived communities in the UK. their potential. Much of this success can be attributed to the successful partnership 4: SUPPORTING TOWN CENTRES European funding has played a key role in developing vibrant town centres in south between the Welsh European Funding Office and the Specialist European east Wales, which are helping support sustainable communities and the local Teams which has enabled the public, private and third sectors in south east economy. 5: SUPPORTING EMPLOYMENT Wales to really maximise the opportunities of EU funding in the region – Projects such as Bridges into Work have helped thousands of people gain making sure its resources are invested in those areas that have the greatest sustainable employment during the economic downturn. economic impact. 6: SUPPORTING WORKPLACE TRAINING Working Skills for Adults has enabled thousands of people to develop their skills In this brochure you can discover more about how some of these projects are helping to regenerate our town and knowledge in the workplace, helping them to develop their career and enhance their future prospects. centres, supporting people back into work, revolutionising the learning environments for our young people and 7: SUPPORTING FURTHER EDUCATION helping them to reach their full potential. The quality of post-16 education in and Blaenau has been transformed over the past few years thanks to two multi-million pound With no sign of the pressures on the public sector easing in the years ahead, it’s vital that we all continue to campuses. build on the success we’ve achieved and ensure that EU funding continues to be invested in supporting those 8: SUPPORTING TOURISM Tourism has long been one of the key drivers of the Welsh economy and in coastal people and communities of south east Wales that need it the most. towns such as Porthcawl, European funding is being used to drive forward multi- million pound regeneration projects aimed at enhancing facilities and boosting Councillor Bob Wellington CBE visitors. Leader of County Borough Council and Leader of the Welsh Local Government 9: SOUTH EAST WALES SPECIALIST EUROPEAN TEAM SETs provide free support, information and advice to anyone in Wales seeking to Association benefit from the European Structural Funds. In south east Wales the team has been praised for its support and guidance.

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The South East Wales Community Economic Development Programme or SEWCED as it is often referred to - is a specialist tailored grant scheme to support social enterprises in the region.

Supporting these organisations To date the project has invested “We’ve had a great success at £5 million and enabling them to develop and over £5 million, supported 100 MTIB. We needed an opportunity to expand has been a key priority organisations and created 90 jobs improve our commercial sales and for the Community Economic and 16 brand new social enterprises. (through SEWCED) we were able Invested Development Programme which has to secure support for an additional been a huge success in south east Merthyr Institute for the Blind business development manager Wales. was established in 1923 and is post, as well as a help for a new van a not for profit organisation that and sanding machine which have It’s delivered in partnership by six provides sustainable employment supported our production of garden local authorities across some of opportunities for disabled and furniture.” the most deprived communities in disadvantaged people.

Wales. Too Good to Waste in Rhondda 100 MTIB chief executive Richard Cynon Taf collects household items The core aims of the project are to: Welfoot said SEWCED funding and office furniture which are then

has played a really crucial role in recycled back into the community. • Increase the economic contribution supporting the business. organisations supported of the third sector Lynda Davies, founder and chief • improve services for communities executive of Too Good To Waste, where gaps can be clearly EU funding has‘ said: identified been fundamental “European funding has been • develop local networks that fundamental to enabling a sustained engage local communities to find to the growth of controlled growth of Too Good to 90 jobs created and implement local solutions Waste. Over the last 19 years, we’ve Too Good To used a series of European funding • promote social inclusion through ‘ bids to help us grow in stages and cultural and heritage activities are now the proud owners of our Waste building and created a business that Lynda Davies, Too Good To Waste employs 15 people.” 16 new enterprises created 4 Watch the film: www.youtube.com/sewalesset twitter@SEWalesSET Watch the film: www.youtube.com/sewalesset twitter@SEWalesSET 5 Building a brighter future for South EAst Wales 2: SUPPORTING BUSINESSES

Supporting businesses in south east Wales has been a priority for European funding, and the Local Investment Fund (LIF) has been one of the key programmes supporting economic growth in the region.

10,000 The Local Investment Fund is a flexible grant moved and doubled the size of the business. We scheme delivered through a partnership across now employ 15 people and all this was made to , Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, available to us through LIF funding.” Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen local authorities. Jobs safeguarded Jane Cook, director of regeneration and planning at LIF provides financial support to help eligible local Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “The success of businesses realise their ambitions to develop LIF is huge. We can’t underestimate the impact that and grow, by supporting investment in capital it has had on the communities of south east Wales.

programmes. “We’re talking about 10,000 One of the businesses that jobs safeguarded through the 950 has been able to expand and The success life of this project to date…950

increase its workforce with businesses supported including Businesses supported the support of LIF funding of LIF is huge. 150 brand new businesses that has been Vintage Joinery in have been created directly as Abertillery which produces We can’t ‘ result of Local Investment Fund. a range of joinery for ‘underestimate “We’ve seen 1500 new jobs customers throughout the UK, across south east Wales as a commercially and domestically. the impact that result of investment from LIF. Steve Lewis, managing director, It has been a huge success said: “We started eight years it has had on our for the communities, residents ago with three of us and during and businesses in south east that time we’ve moved three communities Wales.” times, expanding each time. Jane Cook For more information on LIF About 18 months ago we Director of Regeneration and Planning funding visit www.lifcymru.org

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Across south east Wales a range of European-funded projects have been supporting young people, providing them with support and guidance to reach their full potential.

Pre-VENT 14-19 is a European funded project The Regional SEN Transition Into Employment 6,000 working in Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Initiative, also know as the Real Opportunities Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen. project, aims to help young people aged 14 – 19 to become as independent as possible in their adult Young people The project aims to support young people in lives and to prepare them for the transition into the region to develop the skills they need and to employment. motivate them to become more confident in their supported to own abilities, so that they are able to work towards To do this, the project works closely with young achieving their goals. people and their families and professionals to

develop a plan that is centred on the young person. This includes things like developing skills, develop their It operates across nine local authorities in south aspirations, confidence, self-esteem, and ability Wales and European funding has played a huge

by overcoming barriers that are linked to future role in helping it to transform the lives of so many skills employment and participation in learning. young people across Wales. Maesteg Comprehensive School deputy Isobel Easterbrook,‘ whose son Ieuan is part of the headteacher, Lee Jarvis said: Real Opportunities, project, “Pre-VENT has been said: “The project has been a revolutionary for us. We’ve Pre-VENT has lifeline for Ieuan to help him found pupils coming back with his confidence. He knows have been much more keen been revolutionary he can do things now, whilst to get involved in their lessons, before he wouldn’t have had their attendance has improved for us in Maesteg the confidence. Now he’s as a result and generally they Lee Jarvis, Deputy Head learnt there’s always someone are happier around the place.” ‘ there to help him.”

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Local authorities and Welsh Government, supported by the SET, have prioritised a series of regeneration programmes.

Recognising these challenges and the has benefited from a £2.5m investment which opportunities that European funding presented, has seen modern market units built around a new the south east Wales local authorities, Specialist square as well as public art, bus station links and a £2.5 million European Teams and the Welsh government have canopy and events stage. prioritised a series of regeneration programmes Maesteg butcher, Andrew Garnett, said: “We were across the region. relocated while the works were going on but are Invested in maesteg The programme has seen millions of pounds back in the same spot. We’ve got a brand new invested in regenerating town centres in premises and things are going well.”

Newbridge, Maesteg, Pontypool, Ebbw Vale, Market Square In Merthyr, European funding has transformed the Aberdare, Bridgend, Pontypridd and Merthyr at a town centre with buildings enhanced, new road

time when they have needed it the most. and pedestrian links created, a restored town hall Richard Crook, director of environment and and revamped public squares all helping to create regeneration at Blaenau Gwent a welcoming environment in the Council, said: ‘ town for residents and visitors. “Town centres are a key part We’ve got a brand Antonia Pompa, town centre of the community and having new premises manager for Merthyr Tydfil vibrant and viable town centres County Borough Council, said: is an important way of taking the and things are “Regeneration is all about regeneration of the area forward creating spaces and places into the 21st Century.” ‘ going well for people and that’s what Andrew Garnett, European funding has done for In Maesteg, the Market Square Butcher, Maesteg us.”

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With south east Wales home to some of the most deprived communities in the UK, supporting people into sustainable employment during the economic downturn has been one of the region’s most challenging issues.

Despite this, projects such as Bridges skills like manual handling and health and confidence, and very often a 7,000 into Work have shown how the and safety; and sector specific reluctance to re-engage with learning successful combination of European qualifications such as support work in after poor experiences of education or funding and strong and effective schools and food hygiene. school in the past. partnership working can deliver People gained outcomes that have transformed the Many of the people supported faced By collaborating with employers, lives of thousands of people in south multiple barriers to gaining employment employees and other relevant east Wales. such as poor health, low self esteem organisations Bridges into Work has developed unique community-based qualifications Bridges into Work was launched in learning and training opportunities that January 2009 with a £10 million grant Bridges into Work give people a wide range of vocational

from the European Social Fund. has been a huge skills and qualifications. It is a strategic partnership covering Sheree Cochlin, from Blaenau Gwent, six local authorities – Blaenau Gwent, success which was one of thousands of people

Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, supported by Bridges into Work, after Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen and has seen public, being made redundant for the first 3,700 includes Coleg Y Cymoedd. ‘ time in her life. She was supported private and third by Bridges into Work officers in her Despite operating in what was already ‘ successful search for new employment. one of the most deprived areas in the sectors all working in People helped back UK, the project to date has helped over Sheree said: “They were so lovely, not 3,700 people into employment, some partnership to make in the least intimidating and helped me for the first time, some after illness and so much with my CV and advice on into work others who had almost lost hope of a real difference to what to say at interviews.” finding a job. thousands of lives in Karen Padfield from Torfaen Council, It has also helped more than 7,000 said: “Bridges into Work has been a people to gain qualifications in work south east Wales huge success, making a real difference relevant subjects such as numeracy, to thousands of lives in south east literacy and ICT; employment specific Karen Padfield, Wales.” Torfaen County Borough Council

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Working Skills for Adults is a project that provides people with the opportunity not just to find a job, but to develop their skills and knowledge to build a sustainable career and enhance their future prospects.

10,000 The project operates across six local authorities Project manager Leila Gouran, from Torfaen and aims to increase people’s transferable skills Council said: through community and workplace training and “The aim of the project is to create a better People engaged in working learning. skilled workforce in south east Wales which is The aim is to improve the opportunities for low good news for the individual and good news for skills for adults skilled workers to sustain employment and employers.” increase their earning potential. To date Working Skills for Adults has engaged The project has developed strong relationships with just over 10,000 people with 6,000 of those

with local employers who recognise the business going on to gain a qualification through the benefits that come from ensuring their workforce project.

6,000 has access to the latest training opportunities. Les Fitzgerald is the head chef at the Royal Many of the courses are free and there is Porthcawl Golf Club and has been undertaking advice and guidance from a team of learner and workplace training to enhance his career Gained a qualification employment officers. ‘ prospects. “It’s really helped The project is delivered me in my role, given me through Caerphilly County It’s given me the confidence… and helping Borough Council, Blaenau me to lead and manage Gwent County Borough skills to manage a a team under pressure Council, Bridgend College, in a range of different Merthyr Tydfil College, Coleg Y team under pressure scenarios.” Cymoedd College and Torfaen ‘ Les Fitzgerald County Borough Council. Head Chef, Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

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The quality of post-16 education in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Blaenau Gwent has been transformed over the past few years thanks to two multi-million pound campuses, both of which benefited from significant European funding.

The £40m Coleg y Cymoedd campus in Nantgarw and The Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone is one of the the £33.5m Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone in Ebbw flagship buildings on the Works site in Ebbw Vale. Vale are providing learners with access to a hugely The building opened in 2012 and is the A-Level expanded range of courses and qualifications in state provider for Blaenau Gwent. Campus director John of the art facilities. Sexton said the state of the art Coleg y Cymoedd student Sophia facilities are already helping to Jacobs, said: “It’s really accessible deliver improved results for post-16 and the modern, spacious facilities It’s accessible, learners. make me feel far more independent

He said: “Quite frankly, the project and happy, while the IT available modern, wouldn’t have got off the ground if makes me feel that I can continue it wasn’t for European funding. It’s and finish my work in confidence.” spacious

amazing the difference that good Karen Phillips, deputy principal at ‘ facilities investment in an area like this can Coleg y Cymoedd, said the campus make. was a great example of how the right make me ‘ “One of the biggest things we’ve physical learning environments can seen change is opportunity for million improve educational outcomes. feel far more £70 everyone in the Blaenau Gwent area. She said: “We are seeing excellent independent People can make a difference to outcomes so far but we’re also their futures and hopefully make a on two post-16 campuses seeing things like more women and happy in difference to the future of Blaenau going into science and mathematics Gwent as a whole.” – an increase of 150 per cent of my learning in Blaenau Gwent and women selecting those subjects Sophia Jacobs, student which is really important.” Rhondda Cynon Taf

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Tourism has long been one of the key drivers of the Welsh economy and in coastal 70 towns such as Porthcawl, European funding is being used to drive forward multimillion pound regeneration projects aimed at enhancing facilities and boosting visitors. Moorings for Leisure,

In April this year, the Porthcawl Marina was officially the Welsh Government, Visit Wales and Swansea commercial and visiting craft opened, providing a new harbour gate, pedestrian and Bridgend councils which is encouraging the footbridge, a permanent water basin and extension development of on and off-shore facilities as part to its eastern breakwater and pontoon moorings of efforts to establish a Water Sports Centre of for a mix of 70 leisure, commercial and visiting Excellence in the Porthcawl and Swansea Bay craft. area. The £3.2million EU-backed project also included Nearby Rest Bay, one of the most popular surfing the refurbishment of the old harbour master’s destinations across the coast and office and appointment of a permanent team of home to several surf and watersports businesses,

staff to oversee daily business at the busy marina. has also benefited from this new investment. The installation of new shower facilities and an With all berths fully allocated and a waiting list in improved slipway for boats and kayaks has helped

operation, the marina is already proving to be a big improve the offer for surfers and watersports success. enthusiasts visiting the bay as Local tourism has already part of a drive to increase the benefited with visitors booking ‘ number of visitors to the area. out the new moorings to The new marina in Funding for the marina has attend Porthcawl events been provided by the Coastal such as the Senior Open golf Porthcawl is already Tourism Project led by Visit tournament and Elvis Festival. proving to be a big Wales, the Welsh Government £3.2 million The new marina also plays and the European Regional an important role within an ‘ success Development Fund. Investment in Porthcawl Marina ongoing partnership between

18 Watch the film: www.youtube.com/sewalesset twitter@SEWalesSET Watch the film: www.youtube.com/sewalesset twitter@SEWalesSET 19 9: SOUTH EAST WALES SPECIALIST EUROPEAN TEAM (SET) The South East Wales SET is a partnership of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen Councils. SETs provide free support, information and advice to anyone in Wales seeking to benefit from the European Structural Funds.

Throughout the current European funding for projects in south east Competitiveness and Employment funding programme, SET teams in Wales. programmes each of the local authorities have The study also estimates that • Projects wishing to engage with been providing expert advice and the impact of the South East potential delivery partners or guidance on how to maximise the Wales SET function has been to organisations at a local or regional benefits of European funding in the safeguard projects resulting in the level communities of south east Wales. creation of 80 enterprises, 1,064 The support provided by the south full-time equivalent jobs, and more Blaenau Gwent CBC east Wales SET has been highly than 100,000 ESF participants of 01495 355717 rated for the officers’ ‘extensive which 35,000 gained qualifications. knowledge’ and ‘first class SET- supported projects account Bridgend CBC guidance’. for 25 per cent of jobs created 01656 815327 by all Convergence projects in Others have described the support Caerphilly CBC the region, while they account for and ‘critical friend’ role of the SET 01443 866250 an impressive 65% and 61% of as ‘invaluable for project success’. participants and participants gaining Merthyr Tydfil CBC During the current round of qualifications, respectively, across 01685 725343 European funding, SET-supported all ESF Convergence projects in the Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC projects have received total ERDF region. 01443 495154 funding of £103 million and total ESF SETs can offer help to: funding of £233 million. Torfaen CBC • Public, private or third sector 01495 742143 An evaluation study by researchers, Miller Consulting estimates that SET • Organisations or businesses Google+ interventions helped to safeguard that are developing or managing Email around £28.8 million of ERDF European projects funded through [email protected] funding and £62.9 million of ESF the Convergence or Regional

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