Date
On September 28, Police & Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin visited Seren Ffestiniog Cyf (Seren) at their centre in Blaenau Ffestiniog to learn more about how funding from the Your Community, Your Choice fund is being used to further their work in enhancing the quality of life of those with learning disabilities.
Your Community, Your Choice is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2023 and, over the past ten years, a total of over £500,000 has been awarded to more than 150 projects working to reduce crime in their areas and to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan. The Your Community, Your Choice fund supports grass-roots projects and is supported by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and North Wales Police (NWP). The funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Established in 1996, Seren Ffestiniog Cyf is a charity that provides domiciliary, day and respite care for individuals with physical and learning disabilities in Gwynedd and has developed several projects, including offering work experience and employability skills within their day care service. In their wellbeing centre, and also through their weekly club, individuals are encouraged to harnesses the power of creativity in their services – using drawing, crafts, mobility and music to enrich their experiences.
With the monies received from the Your Community, Your Choice funding, Seren have purchased an interactive projector to develop the dexterity, visual and mental skills of their service users. With the funding received, the charity also plans to hold specialist training for staff to implement ‘Touch Trust’ sessions, as a way of managing challenging behaviour and calming emotions.
During the visit, the Commissioner and NWP Police Community Support Officer Elliw Williams met with staff from Seren to discover their plans and saw how the projector unit had been proudly branded to reflect the funding received and heard the benefits that the projector will bring to the organisation’s service users.
North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “I had the privilege of visiting Seren, where I witnessed firsthand the impact of the Your Community, Your Choice fund on their inspiring work.
“During my visit, I had the pleasure of meeting the dedicated staff and saw the projector unit they had purchased with the funding. I fully appreciate the impact equipment like this can have in enabling people to reach their potential and improve their personal wellbeing.
“Seren’s objectives complement my Police & Crime Plan priority of protecting vulnerable people through offering people with learning disabilities a platform to build confidence and pride. This is why I am so pleased to have provided this funding for them to continue their work.”
Angela Middleton-Jones, CEO of Seren Ffestiniog Cyf said: "We were very proud to have won this grant, especially given that it was through a public voting process. It is important to us to offer a holistic service, not only to encourage individuals to be active members of the community in all ways, but also to take care of their emotional needs and their enjoyment of life.
“This investment in new technology will make a real difference and will also help develop dexterity skills. It was a pleasure to welcome the Commissioner to our weekly club which will positively develop the relationship between individuals and the Police Force, some of whom can be wary of them"
PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers said: “I am very proud to have been able to support Seren through the Your Community, Your Choice funding initiative. The organisation is making a profound difference in the lives of those it serves, unlocking their potential and fostering inclusivity. I wish them the very best in the future.”
North Wales Police T/Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said: “Investing in our communities is a key part of effective policing. The support for Seren provided through the Your Community, Your Choice initiative, will play a key part in promoting community spirit and the group’s pivotal work for the people of Gwynedd.”
To learn more about PACT visit www.pactnorthwales.co.uk and to learn more about the work of the Office of the Police and crime Commissioner, visit www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk
For more information on Seren visit: https://serencyf.org/