Minister opens new HQ for Gwendraeth Tenant Network
Housing Minister Huw Lewis has officially opened the new headquarters of the Gwendraeth Tenant Network at Pontyates.
Mr Lewis was welcomed to the HQ by a choir from the nearby Ysgol Gwynfryn, before unveiling a plaque and declaring the facility open.
The Gwendraeth Tenant Network has been running for many years, but - in conjunction with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Housing Services Division – tenants saw an opportunity to develop a redundant day club building into a resource centre.
The council agreed to lease the building to the tenants and they now operate the centre as a community hub for all Carmarthenshire Council housing tenants.
The Minister said: “It gives me great pleasure to open the Gwendraeth Tenant Network’s new headquarters. Housing is about so much more than putting a roof over people’s heads, it’s about creating vibrant communities and offering people new opportunities I am delighted that just such a community exists here in Pontyates.
“The fact that this community facility exists is to be applauded but that it is being run by the community for the community, with support from Carmarthenshire Council is excellent news.
“I wish the Tenant Network well in their new home - I am sure it will be a welcoming, friendly and valuable community facility for all.”
Chair of the Gwendraeth Tenant Network, Lady Dena Lloyd-Waterford, said: “This centre is for the community’s benefit, and it provides us with a huge opportunity to deliver initiatives that matter.
“A lot of hard work has gone in to where we are today, and I’d like to thank all my fellow tenants for helping to make it happen."
The base will be used by the Gwendraeth Tenant Network to offer information and advice on housing issues.
The centre will allow tenants to develop lifelong learning skills, promote health and well-being initiatives in the community and deliver inter-generational opportunities.
Housing Executive Board Member Cllr Tegwen Devichand, said: “Our long-term vision is to create a social enterprise, focusing on community-based activities that will make a real difference to tenants and residents. We are currently engaged in a feasibility study with local facilitators, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, to make this happen and hope to access grant funding to support this study.”
Mr Lewis was welcomed to the HQ by a choir from the nearby Ysgol Gwynfryn, before unveiling a plaque and declaring the facility open.
The Gwendraeth Tenant Network has been running for many years, but - in conjunction with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Housing Services Division – tenants saw an opportunity to develop a redundant day club building into a resource centre.
The council agreed to lease the building to the tenants and they now operate the centre as a community hub for all Carmarthenshire Council housing tenants.
The Minister said: “It gives me great pleasure to open the Gwendraeth Tenant Network’s new headquarters. Housing is about so much more than putting a roof over people’s heads, it’s about creating vibrant communities and offering people new opportunities I am delighted that just such a community exists here in Pontyates.
“The fact that this community facility exists is to be applauded but that it is being run by the community for the community, with support from Carmarthenshire Council is excellent news.
“I wish the Tenant Network well in their new home - I am sure it will be a welcoming, friendly and valuable community facility for all.”
Chair of the Gwendraeth Tenant Network, Lady Dena Lloyd-Waterford, said: “This centre is for the community’s benefit, and it provides us with a huge opportunity to deliver initiatives that matter.
“A lot of hard work has gone in to where we are today, and I’d like to thank all my fellow tenants for helping to make it happen."
The base will be used by the Gwendraeth Tenant Network to offer information and advice on housing issues.
The centre will allow tenants to develop lifelong learning skills, promote health and well-being initiatives in the community and deliver inter-generational opportunities.
Housing Executive Board Member Cllr Tegwen Devichand, said: “Our long-term vision is to create a social enterprise, focusing on community-based activities that will make a real difference to tenants and residents. We are currently engaged in a feasibility study with local facilitators, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, to make this happen and hope to access grant funding to support this study.”
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