HIP HOP DJ-ing skills, netball and breakfast clubs along with renovations to places of worship will all be supported by the Welsh Church Act fund.
The fund, set up as a result of legislation from 1914 that disestablished the Church of England in Wales, is administered by unitary authorities to support charitable purposes that benefit local communities.
Torfaen Borough Council’s Labour cabinet agreed agreed in 2015 and 2017 it would prioritise the “relief of hardship”, of the five key objectives, when considering applications under the fund.
The council has now approved 15 applications, totalling £13,527.00, after community groups meeting the wider criteria of the advancement of religion and education, community benefits and promotion of Welsh arts and literature were invited to apply for funding of up to £1,000.
The council said the fund was “under utilised” during the first quarter of the financial year which prompted it to consider awards under the scheme’s wider criteria.
Hip Hop 12, which works across Torfaen, will receive £1,000 for DJ workshops to involve young people in “meaningful activities” with the aim of “improving behaviour and aspirations”.
Also receiving the maximum awards are Thornhill 4 U Too to expand its breakfast club and activity hub to West Pontnewydd in Cwmbran and Pontrhydrun Baptist Church, the Living Hope Church, towards the restoration of the Croesyceiliog church as well as for decoration, signage and banners.
The Bridge 46 to Five Locks Canal Group also receives the maximum award to support its work assisting and healing animals injured or wilfully hurt on the canal.
St Paul’s Church, in Blaenavon, is awarded £1,000 towards repairs to its parapet and flagstones as well as to hold more community focussed activities.
The Bethel Baptist Church, in King Street, Blaenavon, which is described as “extensively used for community activities” has £1,000 to replace fascias at the venue.
St Peter’s Church, Blaenavon will receive £749 for children’s books, seating, sensory items and toys to improve family orientated activity while it also plans to purchase two strimmers to maintain its grounds.
Abersychan-based wellbeing group, Cat & Crow, which is attended by people from across Torfaen, was granted £999.00 for its craft-based journalling sessions to develop positive life and mental health skills.
Allsortz Netball Club, in Abersychan, has £965 for venue hire for weekly community netball sessions, which more than 100 people from across Torfaen have registered for. It will also purchase new netball bibs.
Friends of the Green will receive £945 for a Christmas community event in Blaenavon while the Royal British Legion will have £741 to update and maintain the town’s memorial garden for veterans and community enjoyment.
Cwm Taf People First is awarded £900 for activities supporting adults with learning disabilities to share experiences, discuss challenges and identify practical solutions to issues that affect their everyday lives in Upper Cwmbran and St Dials.
Pontypool-based Women of Wisdom will receive £850 towards supporting wellbeing for women from across Torfaen recovering from substance misuse, domestic violence and trauma. It plans to hold art workshops and a theatre show.
DJ4aDay has £828 to purchase ukuleles for its work with schools and other youth provisions across Torfaen offering music, radio and broadcasting experiences.
Fairhill Methodist Church, in Fairwater, Cwmbran, has £550 as a contribution to utilities and refreshments costs for its regular social mornings.