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The great transformation to the Pine Room
from the picture on the left to that on the right was made possible by
support from the following organisations: Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council The Blakemore Trust The Masonic Lodge, Newtown Lembit Opik who donated fees from TV appearances Members of Ponthafren who fund raised. The Pine Room is decorated with pictures painted by members attending art classes and is now a welcoming place for members to meet, enjoy a cuppa, share experiences and offer support. |
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Open Minds is an innovative lottery
funded programme to provide learning opportunities for community
members with mental health issues and for people who are at risk of
developing mental health issues, and the programme covers the whole of
the Coleg Harlech WEA area. Ponthafren members and the local community have greatly benefited from the various courses which includes film studies and a visit to Bradford Media Museum; craft; basic skills: gardening and a visit to Doldowlod Gardens; garden design; practical garden design; and dry stone walling. |
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The Can
do Communities
grant, with match funding by volunteers, is helping to improve access
to the gardens at Ponthafren. Raised beds have been constructed and a
pathway will give accessibility to members and the wider community. Environment Wales is a partnership in the voluntary sector, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. This organisation aims is to contribute to sustainable development by supporting and encouraging voluntary action to protect and improve the environment. Ponthafren's garden is registered under this initiative and volunteers have worked tirelessly to develop the sensory garden and organic fruit and vegetable growing. |
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Mid Wales Food and Land Trust/The Powys Chefs Project leads to an OCN accreditation for participants who attend 6 weekly cookery sessions. The aim of the project is to promoting cooking skills using local foods at all levels of expertise. |
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Grants from The
Arts Council for Wales and the Wakeham Trust
have made the Dry Printmaking workshops possible. Tutor Amy Sterly a
local artist, will hold the workshops using her mobile etching press,
in Newtown, Welshpool Outreach and Llanidloes Outreach. Work created on
the courses will be shown at exhibitions in local libraries and
galleries. It is interesting to see what images appear through the print process and people really enjoy the workshops which help to build confidence while socialising and learning a new skill. |
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Ponthafren has received a number of Start-up grants
from Powys
Mental Health Alliance, the latest being:
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Powys Environmental Partnership Small Grants Scheme PAVO has been used
for the Just So scheme. This workshop is held at the Welshpool Outreach
and involves recycling clothes. |
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Dulas installed 1.3 kV Phtovolatic Panels with considrable support from Scottish Power Green Trust and Low Energy building program If the Centre needs electricity it will be supplied by the panels when the sun is shining. If the Centre doesn't need the electricity it is sold to Atlantic Electricity and Gas Company. A monitor, positioned in the hallway, displays values of electricity being generated, the total CO2 saved since the panels were installed, and the total units of electricity generated to date. |  |
The Links Foundation has made possible the courses on Life skills, Anger Management, Confidence Building & Conflict management. |
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The Household
Energy Service (HES) and Ponthafren Association are pleased
to be working together in Newtown to help people keep warm this winter,
and to enable any local household to save energy and money, in the
weeks, months and years ahead. Several of Ponthafren's own supporters have specially trained with HES as volunteers, to collect relevant information from anybody wanting free advice, by completing survey forms. Anyone interested is welcome to call by at Ponthafren on Tuesday afternoons from 2.00 p.m. |
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Small Grant to Promote Health and Wellbeing PAVO was used to
support the following: Nutrition Workshops Transport for Llani Outreach to access activities at Ponthafren Association in Newtown, and to provide transport for those who are isolated or excluded. |
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Powys Community Endowment Fund, administered by the Communities Foundation in Wales have supported art sessions at Ponthafren. An exhibition of member's art was held at the Libraries in Newtown and Welshpool. |  |
| Thanks to the help from Welsh Assembly Government, Ponthafren runs a weekly fruit and Veg Co-operative Scheme which provides produce from local farms. Each week there is a different mix of ingredients at £3.00 per bag. This helps to encourage the healthy living style which is promoted by various workshops. Volunteer members run the scheme. Any surplus produce from our garden can be sold into the co-op if there is a glut of a particular item. |  |
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 | Gwirvol are funding the production of an animated DVD to encourage young people between the ages of 16 and 25 into volunteering. The sessions have involved Coleg Powys students and Youth Groups to get their ideas about volunteering. |  |
| The Volunteering in Wales Fund supports accredited volunteer training courses, including 1 to 1 mentoring. The fund will support the production of an animated DVD about volunteering and how people with a lived experience of mental health issues can support people by volunteering. |