Family Centres
Family Centres:
Llangwm, Penplas
The Blaenymaes Family Centre is an agency financially supported by Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility and the City and County of Swansea Social Services Department. It has provided a service to families in the area for over 15 years. In August 2000, it was forced to vacate its leased premises which was no longer suitable.
In October 2001, the Family Centre enquired whether Tai Cymdogaeth would consider allocating two empty flats in Penplas, in order that the level of family services in the area could be maintained. The link between provision of good quality support services and a stable community is generally acknowledged, and the provision of family services is highlighted as a priority in the Blaenymaes, Portmead Penplas Development Trust Action Plan.
Tai Cymdogaeth consulted with residents living in the immediate vicinity of two empty properties in Llangwm, Penplas regarding the proposal to convert the properties for use by the Family Centre. There was unanimous support for the proposal. Some concerns were expressed regarding parking facilities, but it was explained that the Family Centre's requirement would be minimal and would be unlikely to extend beyond the hours of 9 am to 5.30 pm, which local residents did not see as being a problem.
Planning Consent for change of use was granted by the local authority.
Tai Cartrefi provided its expertise pro-bono, to assist the Family Centre through the development process. Adaptations were made within a total project cost of £62,000. The Family Centre had financial support to cover approximately £48,000 of the expenditure, and Grwp Gwalia contributed the remainder.
Subsequently, due to the huge demand for its services, a further two linked and neighbouring flats have been adapted and leased to the Family Centre.
Swansea and Brecon Diocese has been able to draw upon its wide experience of running Family Centres throughout the Swansea area.
Services provided
Level one Services - (Universally accessible)
- Parent and Toddler groups
- Playgroups
- After School clubs
- Holiday Play Schemes
- Access to health care - general advice, leaflets
- Diet - healthy eating
- First Aid/ home safety
- Pregnancy support
- CAB input and welfare benefits advice
- Parenting classes
- Adult based training for parents
- Support for local childminders and their charges
- Training on play and child development
Level 2 Services - (programmed activities for referred parents, children and carers where there are early concerns and time limited interventions are required).
Health Visitor sessions on: -
- Domestic violence
- Post Natal depression
- Family planning
- Support for very young parents
- Support for young carers
- Any other areas of concern identified
Level 3 services - Intense individual and group support for families where there are concerns of high risk: -
- Supervised contact for looked after children
- Social services risk assessments
- Direct work by social workers, both individually and in groups
Building
The building has been refurbished to present a bright, welcoming, family friendly aspect. Some space for car parking and disabled access is provided and the building complies with relevant legislation. Undercover, secure facilities for parking prams and pushchairs are also available
The building contains the following: -
- A fully equipped office for the use of all participating agencies
- Kitchen facilities
- A utility room
- Toilets and baby changing facilities
- A meeting/ training room
- Family room with play facilities
Beaconsview Road, Clase
A need for similar provision has been identified in the Clase area of Swansea, Gwalia is working with Swansea & Brecon Diocese for Social Responsibility to adapt two empty and badly vandalised properties on Beaconsview Road, Clase.
Planning consents have recently been given and it is anticipated that the conversion work will be completed by August of 2007.
