Forge Fach Resource Centre set for new lease of life

The Forge Fach Resource Centre was handed over to new managers on Tuesday October 6, ensuring it remains open to service community groups and projects in the future.

Swansea Council worked out the deal with the national charity Walsingham, who will keep the centre open for community use and base their regional headquarters there.

The council stepped in to save Forge Fach in Clydach from immediate closure after its operators went into administration in September, 2013.

Since then Swansea Council has managed to keep the popular community facility open so that it can be used daily by community members for health and wellbeing activities, adult education courses and children’s activities. It’s also offered a day nursery.

Cllr Will Evans, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Anti-Poverty, said: “This is an opportunity for a new lease of life for the centre. Our agreement with Walsingham not only provides a secure future for the centre, it also promises investment into the local community. The charity has lots of exciting plans that will involve and benefit the local community as well as provide services and support for adults with additional needs.”

The news comes off the back of the handover last week of the Graigfelen Community Hall to the local Community Council in a similar move to safeguard facilities.

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Next Generation Services, said: “We will be enabling Walsingham to take over the lease and management of the venue for a peppercorn rent. In turn, they will be responsible for financing maintenance, repairs and running costs in the years ahead.”

Walsingham is a community-based charity operating across England and Wales, supporting people with disabilities and social care needs. It has a base in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.