Social Enterprises Celebrate Success of Project

Over 140 representatives from Social Enterprises and Third Sector Organisations from across the South West Wales Region attended the recent Collaborative Communities ‘Celebrating Success’ Conference in Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.

The Conference aimed to celebrate the success of the organisations that Collaborative Communities has helped with advice and assistance or funding since the project began in 2009.

TV presenter Arfon Haines Davies, who was Master of Ceremonies for the event, said: “I felt it a great honour to be invited to compere the conference and hearing about the way that the Collaborative Communities project has helped so many organisations realise their full potential was indeed inspiring.

“Having spoken to a number of exhibitors on the day the sense of pride and achievement experienced by the organisations that have benefited from the project was testament to the hard work and dedication of Jane Lewis and her team at Collaborative Communities.”

Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr,Meryl Gravell, who officially opened the Conference said: “It was a pleasure to see so many enthusiastic and enterprising Social Enterprises and organisations together, all keen to share experiences and learn new ideas and ways of working. The conference was a huge success for all.”

The day brought together many inspirational speakers including Professor Andrew Davies Chair of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and the Welsh Co-operative and Mutuals Commission, who spoke about growing and developing the co-operative and mutual economy in Wales in order to create jobs and wealth. Linda Whittaker, Chief Executive of NPT Homes, delivered a presentation on achieving results and overcoming barriers to be able to succeed.

Afternoon speakers were Cris Tomos, Director of the Cardigan Castle Project and Matthew Brown, Manager of WCVA’s Communities Investment Fund (CIF), spoke in depth about finance and other potential opportunities for the future for the third sector. This was followed by a host of different workshops.

A moving film was premiered at the Conference that illustrated a selection of inspiring projects who have received grants and support from Collaborative Communities.

Jane Lewis, Collaborative Communities Project Manager, said: “While conference delegates watched the short films and listened to how the Collaborative Communities project has changed their lives I, as Project Manager of a great team of officers, felt very proud that we have been able to help these organisations to move forward and grow.

“There are so many amazing and inspirational projects in this area of Wales that we have been involved with who make a difference to many people’s lives. The conference certainly showcased many of these projects and I hope will continue to grow and prosper after the Collaborative Communities project ends in September 2014.”

Twenty trade stands were set up by successful social enterprises across the four counties including Accommodation Furniture Solutions Ltd, Crafty Beggars, Canolfan Maerdy, Clydach Heritage Centre, Clynfyw Care Farm, Cyfle i Dyfu, Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC), DOVE Workshop – Sarn Helen Homemade Chutney, Gwyn i Wyrdd, Myddfai Trading Company, iSmooth Community Cafe, Organised KAOS, Pembroke 21C Community Interest Company, Pembrokeshire Mencap Ltd, Port Talbot and Afan Women’s Aid, RSPCA Llys Nini, Ramps Skate Park, South Wales Miner’s Museum, Trwco Time Bank, The ManVan – Tenovus, and Victim Support.

Collaborative Communities is a European, Convergence funded project that has helped over 600 Social Enterprises and Third Sector organisations to identify ways of becoming more sustainable and less reliant on grant funding.

The project is a partnership of the four Local Authorities and Councils for Voluntary Services across Neath and Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. During the lifetime of the project it also offered workshops and training opportunities for groups to develop themselves as self sufficient organisations that become less reliant on grants as their trading income increases.