Community News

Find out whats going on, and when it's happening...

Fun Day was a huge success

A BIG thank you to everyone who attended the Family Fun Day on the 4th August. Thank you to everyone who helped out on the day it was much appreciated. Well done to all all the contestants who took part in the Gellideg Got Talent competition. The winer was Deryn Allen Dyer (Aged 7) pictured below (center)

Senior Learner of the Year Ada Evans (88) is an inspiration

A big well done to Ada Evans who was put forward for the Senior Learner of the Year by friend of her Golden Class, Olive Bedford. Ada Evans is 88 years old, and is a true inspiration to everyone she meets-not least because in the last few years she has learned how to assemble a complete computer from scratch. On Thursday, May 13th, Ada attended the glittering red-carpet awards event in Cardiff Bay and she left as joint winner of the Senior Learner of the Year Award.
Ada's learning curve began in 2006 when she decided she needed to keep up to date with technology. After seeing an advert for a computer class in her local Communities First office at The Gellideg Foundation she signed up for a course. While apprehensive that her age would be a barrier to her learning new skills she bit the bullet and went along.

After three months, Ada from Merthyr Tydfil had learnt the basics and developed a real thirst for learning but due to poor attendance the group folded. Despite this setback Ada was undeterred and she pursued her ambition of becoming computer literate by signing onto a series of advanced computer courses run by the WEA.

"Being able to learn at my age has given me so much confidence," said Ada. "I never thought i would be able to achieve so much in my eighties. It's certainly stopped my brain from rusting!"

Ada has gone on to give talks about computing and has used her experience to motivate others, trying to enthuse them with her own passion for learning.

With Ada's newly acquired skills she is constanly looking to the future to increase her knowledge.
"I've been busy with my voluntary work, but i already have itchy feet. I'll soon be looking for my next course," she said.

The awards are organised by NIACE Dysgu Cymru which is celebrating 25 years of promoting adult learning in Wales and were presented by TV's Claire Summers and comedian and presenter Chris Corcoran.

A 'FREE'Access gym

For further imformation please call in to the Gellideg Foundation Group and speak to chris .

Gellideg Spark Project

Following a successful pilot. The Spark is launching in Merthyr Tydfil. The Gellideg foundation Group on Swansea Road Estate has been chosen as the community partner to recruit 13 young people who are not in employment, education or training to take part in the 12 week programme. The young people will design a phone application and plan and deliver their own community project. The aim will be to enable the Group to acquire skills that can be transferred to the work place, such as project management, marketing and presentation skills Also, there will be work shadowing at T-Mobile, and a career development day, CV writing classes and Interview workshops.

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Brian Gibbons (Minister) visit.

We were recently visited by The Minister who was launching a major Wales-wide campaign to encourage people to give a little bit of their time to volunteer and gain new skills, friends, confidence and possibly have some fun along the way. The Minister got involved and helped our volunteers to prepare a community lunch for Gellideg residents at St Luke’s Church.

Speaking at the launch, Brian Gibbons (minister) said:
“Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people, gain confidence and possibly have a little fun along the way. It is also a great opportunity to try something new and gain new skills which could lead to a new career, a new direction in life, or just a new interest. “Making it easier to find out about volunteering in Wales is just one of the ways we are helping people deal with the impacts, both economic and social, of the recession. “There are a huge number of volunteering opportunities across Wales and everyone should be able to find something that suits them. Everyone should consider volunteering if they are looking to make changes in their life. “We also want more organisations to come forward to offer volunteering opportunities. It is an opportunity for organisations to get fresh ideas, bring in new skills, and enthusiasm. “I would encourage everyone in Wales to consider giving a little to gain a lot.”

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Volunteering members with Brian Gibbons (From left) Selina Davies, Martin Shuttleworth, Brian Gibbons, Shaun Llewellyn and Linda Davies.

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2009 (LEADING WALES AWARD FOR COLETTE)

Colette Watkins, Project Manager of The Gellideg Foundation Group, has won the prestigious Leading Wales Award in the category, voluntary and not for profit organisations. The awards were to identify, recognise and celebrate individuals who through their leadership are making a real difference and are contributing to the prosperity of Wales.

Colette is charismatic, motivating and principled and has shown outstanding determination and courage in the development of The Gellideg Foundation Group, and has become a voice for people living in poverty and disadvantage across Wales. Ten years ago Colette took a step into the unknown by agreeing to lead a fledgling community group in a disadvantaged area. Gellideg was run down, its community spirit gone. Armed only with a vision to put the well-being of the men and women of Gellideg first, Colette and a group of six other local mothers decided to make a change.

Since then, Colette has taken in her stride financial management, organisational development, staff management and business strategy to grow the GFG into an organisation which employs more than 40 people. It now provides services including health and well-being initiatives, training and skills development programmes, volunteering opportunities and after school, youth and holiday clubs. The Gellideg Foundation Group is also the grant recipients of the Communities First Programme which operates throughout the Cyfarthfa Ward, meaning that the whole of the ward now benefits from Colette’s expertise.

Colette has never been motivated by financial or political gain, but always by the desire to make a difference. She worked long hours to attend meetings, speak to residents about personal issues and address conferences in Wales and in the UK, and because of her hard work and leadership not only do residents have more opportunities and support, but vitally there is an expectation that they deserve better and can contribute to their own development. One of Colette’s key achievements has been to give residents a voice in the decisions which affect their lives. She puts local peoples needs first, an approach which has changed the way that statutory and voluntary bodies work in Merthyr Tydfil and beyond. Colette is not only a champion for Gellideg, but also a voice of influence calling for more accountability towards people in poverty in Wales.

Colette added, I’m honoured to have won this Leading Wales award. The Gellideg Foundation Group have travelled a long way together and the award recognises my role, but more importantly the commitment of the trustees, staff, volunteers and residents who all work together to make the project a success.

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