104 Community House

Established in 1998, this initiative utilises two, linked 3-bedroom houses to provide an advice, information, advocacy and training resource for the benefit of all residents, regardless of tenure, living in the Blaenymaes, Portmead, Penplas community of Swansea. The Gwalia properties were adapted with the assistance of a grant under the Sustainable Communities Programme from the Welsh Assembly Government.

The 104 Community House provides a variety of facilities for use by local residents, including IT equipment (with access to the internet) and meeting rooms.

Although initially set up with grant funding, the project is now self-sustaining. Rooms with the Community House are let to other agencies and organisations operating in the neighbourhood, including TAN Dance, Action Team for Jobs and the Welsh Tenants Federation.

Grwp Gwalia has leased the properties rent-free and also currently provides the services of a Community Development Worker who works alongside local volunteers to help deliver day-to-day management of the Community House.

A committee, made up of volunteers, agency users, and a representative from Grwp Gwalia Cyf, manages the strategic development of the project. Funding for the project has also been received from the National Lottery Charity Board (Small Grants), West Wales TEC and Gwalia Housing Trust.

The 104 Community House is presently exploring ways of providing a local tool-hire service that will operate in conjunction with a community skills share project.

For further details, contact:

104 Community House,
Broughton Avenue
Blaenymaes,
Swansea
SA5 5LN
Tel: 01792 578741
Email: project104house@btconnect.co.uk

Or

Vince Millband
Community Initiatives Co-ordinator
Grwp Gwalia Cyf
7 - 13 The Kingsway
Swansea
SA1 5JN
Tel: 01792 460609
Email: vince.millband@gwalia.com