Carmarthenshire projects share over £95,500

TWO projects in Carmarthenshire have been given a boost of more than £95,500, as they become the latest applicants to receive funding from the Collaborative Communities Targeted Finance Package (TFP).

Cyfle i Dyfu based in Delta Lakes Enterprise Centre in Llanelli will use their award of £54,525 to purchase a van, machinery and the remainder of the awarded funds will be used to create two new posts and to fund additional hours of an existing post.

The social enterprise has been set up by local substance misuse workers to provide a range of aftercare services that enable people with a history of long-term substance misuse to move on to a position where they have the skills, confidence and motivation to positively restructure their lives, reintegrate with their communities and re-enter the labour market. This is done through the production and sale of bespoke garden furniture and Welsh Oak products.

iSmooth Community Café on College Street, Ammanford will use their funding of £40,980 to cover the salary costs of a new Business Development Manager, recruitment costs, franchising fees, internet community café network set-up costs and marketing costs.

The cafe was established in March 2010 by a group of parents/ carers and people with a learning disability.

Jane Lewis, Collaborative Communities Project Manager said: “I would like to congratulate both groups who have been awarded funding in the latest round of applications and wish them the best of luck in their future. ”

Collaborative Communities is a unique partnership project formed between the County Voluntary Councils and local authorities in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, to help voluntary and community organisations become financially sustainable and to promote Social Enterprises. It is part-funded by the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

The Targeted Finance Package (TFP) assists Social Enterprises or potential enterprises who are working with Collaborative Communities officers to become more sustainable.

The project runs until December 2013.

Find out how Collaborative Communities can help your community group or Social Enterprise by calling the team on 01269 590 270; email contact@collaborativecommunities.org.uk or visit www.collaborativecommunities.org.uk.