Archive of old news

Enjoy waste-free Easter treats this year

At this time of year supermarket shelves are lined with chocolate eggs which often come in layers of plastic and cardboard packaging. The 3G’s Zero Waste Project has teamed up with Waste Awareness Wales to come up with some top tips for keeping the packaging waste from your Easter treats to a minimum.

Michelle Boland from the 3G’s Zero Waste Project said: “An estimated 80 million chocolate eggs are bought in the UK each year and unfortunately the majority of these eggs come packaged in an excessive amount of cardboard and plastic. While we don’t want to deny chocoholics a sweet treat, we would like to ask people to be mindful of the amount of packaging waste that shop-bought eggs create.

We only have eight years of landfill space remaining in Wales, so we all need to be actively thinking about cutting down on the amount of black bin bags we produce.

Large chocolate eggs have become the traditional way of celebrating, but chocolate bunnies or smaller eggs are much better for the environment as they usually come wrapped in just a layer of foil. They taste just as good and you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. Small eggs can be hidden around the house for an Easter morning hunt which will make the day more exciting, too.

If you do end up buying large eggs that come packaged in cardboard and plastic, make sure you recycle the packaging so that it doesn’t end up in landfill.

Of course if you want to be really eco-friendly you could make your own Easter treats. Chocolate rice crispy cakes are fun and easy to do with children, and you’ll get twice the satisfaction knowing that they’re better for the environment. This is also a delicious way of using up any leftover chocolate that wouldn’t otherwise be eaten.”

Here are some more tips for having a waste free Easter from Waste Awareness Wales:

• If you’re cooking a big lunch for family and friends, make sure all of the vegetable peelings and any leftovers go into your food waste bin.

• Why not send an e-greeting instead of cards this year? It’s just as thoughtful but doesn’t produce any waste.

• Leftover hot cross buns make an extra special bread and butter pudding with fruit and fresh cream custard.

For further information on how to reduce, reuse and recycle, and to find your nearest recycling centre visit the Waste Awareness Wales website on www.wasteawarenesswales.org.uk

Funds Available for innovative community led Zero Waste project in Merthyr Tydfil

The 3G’s Development Trust was delighted to learn, this week, that they have been awarded in excess of £400,000 from the Welsh Government to support their innovative zero waste kerbside sort recycling project in the Gurnos and Galon Uchaf areas of Merthyr Tydfil. The 3G’s Zero Waste Project in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Cylch - Wales Community Recycling Network, will run a pioneering domestic recycling service that aims to achieve a staged increase to 70% by 2019. The kerbside sort method of collection known as “slow recycling” will be in accordance with the waste collections blueprint contained in the Welsh Governments Strategy, Towards Zero Waste. Merthyr Tydfil CBC will continue to operate the refuse and bulky waste collection service in the area.

The project is not just about hitting new recycling targets it’s about community regeneration, achieving behavioral change through education, creating green jobs and rewarding the community in the form of a community dividend.

The 3G’s Development Trust’s Lead Officer, Gerald Powell was delighted with the news saying “This money allows us to secure the necessary resources needed to run the recycling project. We aim to actively engage with residents of all ages, gender and backgrounds on a daily basis and encourage them to participate by highlighting the benefits such as the environment and community dividend. We aim to lead the way in kerbside sort recycling in Wales.”

Environment Minister, John Griffiths said: “The Welsh Government has set out ambitious targets for recycling. We are working towards 70% recycling by 2025 and zero waste by 2050. Thanks to the hard work of local authorities and residents we are making great progress in this area.

This pilot will test whether this innovative kerbside sort method can help to deliver 70% recycling here in Merthyr. I am optimistic that Welsh Government investment in this pioneering project could drive recycling rates in the affected communities up to levels that will rival some of the highest performing areas in Wales.”

Councillor Tony Rogers, Portfolio Councillor Customer Services said “Merthyr Tydfil CBC has implemented the delivery of Waste Services across the County Borough that largely aligns with the Welsh Government’s priorities and is committed to the Collaborative Change Programme.

The 3G’s Zero Waste initiative which will operate a “slow recycling” kerbside sort collection service and a community engagement programme will test whether high recycling can be achieved in deprived valley communities and Merthyr Tydfil CBC welcomes the challenge of low participating areas of Gurnos and Galon Uchaf becoming some of the best participating areas in Wales and becoming a zero waste community.

We will stand back from our normal recycling collection role and continue with the refuse collection service whilst supporting the 3G’s and it’s community in making a difference to waste management in their localities.”

Mal Williams, Cylch CEO commented: "I really believe that the people of Gurnos and Galon Uchaf will get stuck into this effort because they will see that it is benefitting their own community. There will be green job creation and a community dividend being ploughed back as a result of the efforts made. The collection operation will be well designed, taking resident concerns into account.

What the recycling project in Presteigne, Powys has recently shown is that the “Slow Recycling” methods really do work, better quality materials are collected and the participation rate continues to increase, creating a real sense of community engagement. The 3G’s will use this method of collection but with added features that meet local needs to ensure that Zero Waste is not just an idea but a possible outcome."

For further information contact:

Michelle Boland, 3G’s Zero Waste Project Manager

michelle.boland@3gs.org.uk

01685 353422

Because she’s worth it!

Kelly, 29, donates her very first haircut to charity.

A local mother enrolled on all Bridges into Work Life Support Programme courses at the 3G’s Development Trust has decided to make a big change in her life, to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and other illnesses. At 29 years of age, cutting her 28-inch long hair was on Kelly Rothwell’s list of things to do before turning 30. When it was suggested that she donate her locks to a charity that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness, Kelly jumped at the chance.

The Little Princess Trust is a registered charity that provides real hair wigs to children suffering hair loss due to cancer and other treatments. As well as donating her hair, Kelly also raised sponsorship money for the event, to cover the cost of the wigmakers. By visiting local businesses, schools and through generous donations from family and friends, Kelly has raised nearly £400 for The Little Princess Trust, which has recently donated its 1000th wig.

The event took place at Klean Kutz hairdressers in the Gurnos at Midday on Friday 3rd February 2012. Kimberly the manager kindly offered to cut Kelly’s hair free of charge, a fact that Kelly was pleased about. Speaking before the event she said: “I’ve never had my haircut before but I’m glad to know that I’ll be in safe hands. I’m very nervous - my hair has always been a part of me- but I’m also excited to have a change and I’m happy that it’s being done for charity.” Fortunately, Kelly’s nerves were eased by the support of her mother, Sian Jones, who had her own 21-inch long hair cut during the event. Surrounded by family, friends and fellow Life Support members, Kelly’s hair finally got the chop and it was smiles all round as a satisfied Kelly admired her new haircut and posted her long locks off to a good cause. Deanne Rebane, Co-ordinator of the 3G’s Life Support Programme has said how proud everyone is of Kelly: “It’s great that Kelly came up with the idea and has been able to donate her fabulous hair to help others. She is an inspiration to our other learners”.

There is still time to sponsor Kelly.

Visit: www.justgiving.com/Kelly-Rothwell and give whatever you can!

To donate to The Little Princess Trust visit: www.littleprincesses.org.uk

If you would like to find out more about the 3G’s Life Support Programme then please contact Deanne Rebane: 01685 350888 extension 8.

3g's Dance Crew

*******************************************

Don't throw away your old uniforms

*******************************************

‘Exceptional’ people praised for raising school well above its surroundings

Jun 18 2009 by Katie Norman, Western Mail .

Pen y dre High School is one of the many schools Wales has to be proud of. Not only has it achieved an outstanding Estyn report – it has managed to do so in the middle of one of Wales’ child poverty hotspots. Katie Norman visited the school, on the Gurnos estate in Merthyr Tydfil, to find out the secret of its success

LOCATED in one of Wales’ most deprived areas, Pen y dre High School has more obstacles to contend with than most.

The school serves Merthyr Tydfil’s Gurnos estate, where 80% of youngsters come from low-income families and deprivation is rife.

According to the Campaign to End Child Poverty, it is one of the top five poorest areas in Wales, with 56% of children from workless families and half of all young people at risk of growing up without the necessities for a healthy and happy childhood.

And yet, the high school at the centre of this estate has managed to succeed where many schools from richer areas have failed.

It has just come through its Estyn report with flying colours, having scored five ones and two twos in the inspectorate’s seven key areas.

As well as calling it a school with “exceptional people who work exceptionally hard”, inspectors praised the culture of mutual respect between staff and pupils and the “outstanding” value added to pupils’ achievement across the ability range.

One of the qualities setting the school apart was the range of courses and learning methods it offers to young people of varied abilities.

Youngsters who struggle with academia can opt for vocational courses – and teachers are just as eager to praise such students’ achievements as the attainments of those who excel at A-level.

Keith Maher, the school’s assistant headteacher, said: “A lot of our pupils will follow the traditional academic pathway, but we also know we want to make school more meaningful for those who choose different pathways and courses.

“We are in an area where not a lot of people go on to post-16 education so it’s important to let them know that everything is here for them, they just need to find the right course. What’s important to us is that people genuinely feel that what they’re doing will take them where they want to be.

“Hardly any of our pupils leave without some kind of meaningful qualification, and that’s a significant factor for us.”

But while vocational pathways and courses like BTecs are available for those who want them, Pen y dre students who do want to go on to university can count on staff to instil a sense of drive and determination to aim high and work hard.

Mr Maher said: “There’s a real sense of social conviction about this place. We want to give (our students) the power to make their own choices about their future.

“It’s not where you come from that’s important, it’s where you want to go.

“The whole area is European directive funded, which equates to some of the poorest parts of Europe, but people who come here are treated with dignity.

“A lot of our pupils know no adults who have been to university, but I grew up on a council estate in Newport and my cousin and I were the first generation in our family to go to university. That’s why the whole idea of social mobility and social justice means so much to me.

“I’m not coming in here and patronising people, I really do believe in it, as do the other teachers in this school.”

Inspectors particularly praised Pen y dre for the good rapport teachers have with pupils, which is perhaps influenced by the high proportion of teachers who are former students.

One of the many former pupils turned Pen y dre teachers is student voice co-ordinator, Eloise Amos, who oversees the student council.

She said: “The closeness of the school is what brought me back. It really is a lovely atmosphere and that’s why I wanted to teach here.

“I think being from the area has also helped me to build a relationship with pupils quickly. I know the areas they’re from – I go to those areas myself.”

Deputy headteacher Ken O’Shea, who was once head boy at the school, said: “We have a number of staff who are former pupils and I think they have this empathy with the youngsters and with the school itself.

“Also, a lot of us have been here a long time. I’ve been here 31 years and some of the staff have been here longer.”

Mr O’Shea said it was important the Gurnos’ negative reputation did not diminish students’ determination to succeed in their chosen course.

He said: “We try never to make that an excuse, but we are an inclusive school and we try to cater for everybody.

“We cater for the low ability, the youngsters whose reading age is quite far below their chronological age, but we also cater for the Oxford University candidates.”

As well as praising the school’s ability to provide for students of different abilities, Estyn inspectors also praised the leadership of headteacher John Williams.

He said: “We are obviously thrilled with this report as it is a celebration of the hard work of all our partners, who make us what we are.

“As the report acknowledges, ‘This is a school where exceptional people work exceptionally hard to ensure that all staff and learners achieve their potential.’”

*******************************************

Teens build better future with the Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots programme

Feb 26 2009 by Moira Sharkey, Western Mail.

TEENAGERS across Wales are learning about their past to help them carve out a better future.

Through the Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots programme, young people are exploring their local heritage, interpreting it and then sharing it with their communities through drama, dance, music or digital technology.

As well as teaching skills from performance art and research techniques to web design and DVD production, the project aims to provide youngsters with a better understanding of the places in which they grew up and instil a sense of pride in their hometowns.

Jennifer Stewart, head of HLF in Wales, said: “The young people involved in these projects have been given new opportunities, support, respect and the encouragement to succeed and as a result have flourished.

“By taking on the responsibility for the success of the project, young people have demonstrated great commitment, passion and enthusiasm, as well as a renewed sense of pride and interest in their area.

“We hope that they will draw on these experiences as they decide on future career paths and that a new generation of young people will understand and be passionate about the heritage of Wales.”

This generation includes more than 100 young people from Merthyr Tydfil who gave up their half-term holiday to rehearse their stage production, Iron and Steal, which opens tonight.

Iron and Steal looks at the transformation of Merthyr from a rural town to Wales’ unofficial capital during the industrial revolution – a turbulent period of Welsh history when fortunes were built through the slave trade and arms production.

The young people were inspired to produce something about the history of their area after they saw the HLF-funded Tower Colliery Musical, which was created by young people in Aberdare.

Led by the 3Gs Development Trust, the Iron and Steal project involved pupils from schools across Merthyr, including Greenfield Special School.

With the support of a £24,900 HLF grant, the team carried out archive research and interviewed local historians. They composed original music, wrote the script and designed period costumes, with a little help from the professionals.

An educational resource pack, including a DVD, will be distributed to local schools and libraries once the project has been completed.

In North Wales, a £24,900 HLF grant helped young people set up a drama group, the Greenfield Ghetto Group, to research the history of the Greenfield Valley with the support of Clwyd Theatr Cymru Theatre for Young People.

The 18-month project culminated in a performance created by the young participants, called Unlocking Time.

With their new-found confidence and skills, the Greenfield Ghetto Drama Group then set out to secure its financial future. As a result of their campaigning, Holywell Town Council and Communities First have stepped in to help secure the group’s future and ensure more young people get involved. Fifteen-year-old Holly Jones, the project’s chairperson, said: “My involvement with the Greenfield Ghetto drama group has completely changed me as a person. I’ve got much more respect for the area, other people and school.

“I was never that interested in school, but now I’m ahead in some of my classes. Since researching the local history for Unlocking Time, I developed a real interest in the subject and decided to take history as one of my GCSE options and am now planning on progressing it to A-level.

“I’ve also developed my drama and singing skills and made lots of new friends. There’s not enough for young people to do in the area, so I’m really happy that we can continue the group and hope to encourage more people to join.”

Sian Wood, also 15, who acted as group secretary, said: “Becoming a part of Greenfield Ghetto Drama Group is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s really helped build my confidence and develop skills in drama, business and history.

“We’ve all learnt to have a greater respect for the Valley, as well as gaining more respect from the rest of the community.”

HLF is looking to help fund projects that encourage young people to take an interest in heritage and gain new skills. For more information log on to www.hlf.org.uk .

*******************************************

School uniforms at discounted prices

Nov 27 2008 by Samantha Mendez, Merthyr Express

SCHOOL uniforms can be an expensive commodity, especially if you have a large family to buy them for each term.

But thanks to a brain wave of the 3G’s Cheryl Hagerty, parents can now buy secondhand uniforms for more than a fraction of the price at just 25p per item.

Ms Hagerty, a community development team manager at 3G’s, carried out research on the matter and found lots of parents struggle to pay for school uniforms for their children.

She said: “You cannot get a grant for uniforms until the child goes to high school and yet every nursery, infant and junior school wears a uniform.

“I visited the heads at all four junior schools in the 3G’s area – Goetre Infant School, St Aloysius, Gellifaelog and Gwaunfarren Primary Schools – and explained I would like to set up a school uniform recycling project.”

The heads of each school loved the idea and have set up a recycling corner where parents can leave any unwanted or outgrown pieces of uniform.

When the recycling points get full, Ms Hagerty collects the uniforms and takes it to Hafal on Pant Industrial Estate where service users professionally launder the uniforms and bag them in size and school order.

“After they’ve been cleaned they are then delivered back to each school ready to be purchased looking like brand new,” said Ms Hagerty.

“The 25p charge is purely to cover the cost of the washing powder and the packaging.”

The joint scheme between 3G’s and Hafal has amazed parents, and a recycling event at Gellifaelog School saw every item snapped up.

*******************************************

Gurnos' youth in talks with UN children's champion

Sep 4 2008: by Moira Sharkey, Western Mail

A UNITED Nations representative has visited one of Wales’ most deprived communities to find out what life is like for children living in poverty.

Lucy Smith, a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child is on a two-day visit to Wales. Her first stop was to the Gurnos Estate in Merthyr, where she met local young people and community workers.

The Gurnos was again this year named in the top 20 most deprived wards in the country by the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, but youngsters from the area were keen to tell Ms Smith the good points about their area as well as the bad.

Ms Smith, who is a professor of law from Norway, was also planning to meet with anti-poverty experts, government officials and representatives from children’s organisations to discuss children’s rights issues, including youth justice, mental health services and education.

On arriving in Gurnos, she said: “Coming here will give me a better impression of how children in Wales live.

“I will maybe have the opportunity to meet with children who don’t have such a good life. I expect them to tell me what they are satisfied with and what they think the authorities could be doing better.

“Meeting the children will give me a realistic view. You can read reports but you only get a true impression when you really speak to people.”

Youngsters from Gurnos were delighted to have the opportunity to tell Ms Smith what they like about their neighbourhood as well as emphasise the improvements they hope for.

Daniel Casey, 15, said: “Gurnos has a bad reputation so when we go anywhere we’re judged on where we’re from. But it is a good place to live because we all look out for each other and we’re really tight-knit.

“There are some good facilities around here but they could improve them. We would like to see some astroturf to play sports on and we’d like the youth centre to be open more. Apart from the youth centre, there’s not much to do unless it costs money.”

Ms Smith’s visit followed a two-day evidence-giving session in Geneva in June where Keith Towler, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, along with young people from the youth assembly Funky Dragon and members of the Wales United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Monitoring Group, presented Ms Smith and her committee members with their reports on how the Welsh Assembly Government is fulfilling its obligations under the convention.

Some of the issues raised in Geneva centred on bullying issues in Wales and Welsh children’s lack of information about their rights under the convention.

Mr Towler, who will accompany Ms Smith on her visit, said he hoped she would see for herself the lack of opportunities available to children in communities like Gurnos.

Since the UK ratified the UNCRC in 1991, the UK Government has been obliged to submit progress reports to the UN committee every five years, outlining how it is implementing the convention.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan who is due to host a reception at the Senedd for Ms Smith today said: “The rights of children and young people are paramount to us; we were the first UK country to appoint a Children’s Commissioner and we were the first UK Government to adopt the UNCRC as a guiding principle for policy development for children and young people.

*******************************************

On Wednesday 13th August the Forsythia Youth Team held there annual fishing competition at Cyfarthfa lake. Although the weather was very bad, 15 young people turned out to take part in the contest. The competition was very closely fought over, with the eventual winner being Lloyd Fear, and the runners up being Luke Dodson and Ashley Gray.

The Forsythia Youth Team would like to thank Merthyr Angling Association and The Environment Agency Wales for there continued support and help in organising this event.

*******************************************

*Forsythia saga offers hope to the most needy*
Published by Jun 30 2008 by Gavin O'Connor, South Wales Echo.

Youth centres play a crucial role in the fight against crime, a review into engaging communities has found. Gavin O’Connor visited one such centre at the heartof one of Wales’ most deprived areas

THE block of converted flats used by the Forsythia Youth Project in Merthyr Tydfil is nestled near Prince Charles Hospital and between the New and Old Gurnos, one of the largest housing estates in Europe.

This year the hospital marked its 30th anniversary. But, some would argue, the general malaise in areas peppered around Prince Charles Hospital, such as Galon Uchaf, Penydarren and the Gurnos, has long been in need of treatment.

The Forsythia Youth Project serves all these wards and is a direct contradiction of the usual gloomy prophesies linked to the town’s regular high listing on unemployment and sickness charts. For four years the centre has challenged youngsters to think on their feet, get organised and face up to the future.

“A lot of the children who come here have never had any boundaries,” said Geraldine Maddison, 49, principal youth worker.

“It’s very much a case of black and white and no in-betweens – they’ll act on impulse without realising the consequences.

“Here, there are boundaries and there’s that element of safety.”

The youth centre has injected new life into a building that was only ever abused by constant vandalism when flats were unoccupied in the past. Now it hosts a mini-TV studio, games rooms, computer rooms and rest facilities. Some of the TV productions involving the youngsters have been impressive.

One is an alcohol awareness video, investigating how easy it is for children as young as 14 to buy alcohol in the town. “Out of the seven shops we visited, four sold the youngster alcohol,” said Geraldine.

“It’s not that we’re out to expose these places, that’s for the police to do and we handed them the video afterwards. It’s an educating process.” Over the last 15 years, Merthyr, which has a population of about 56,000, has seen an exodus of its most employable youngsters, contributing to a population decrease of about 7%. It could be argued that since 1978, when the hospital was built, there has been an undeniable lack of a competitive strategy, adding to a spiral of decline with too much emphasis on the significance of an iron town which once led the industrial world, and no clear focus on the future. But there are signs of an upward shift. A new leisure complex in the south of the town is due for completion this summer, the nearby Cyfarthfa Retail Park has been thriving and more developments are in the pipeline.

However, bricks and mortar can only go so far in eradicating a poverty of ambition. In the end, it comes down to the individual. Geraldine, a mum of three, can also speak from experience about leaving the town and knows what it is like growing up on a tough housing estate. Aged 17, she left for Bournemouth before returning to Merthyr after 11 years and taking up volunteer work. She grew up in Galon Uchaf and is wary of the challenges faced by youngsters who visit the centre as a way out.

“Certainly, I remember streets in Galon Uchaf where I was too scared to walk when I was younger,” said Geraldine, laughing off the former worries of a time gone by. “Places which were rough and you did fear for your safety. “What comes with that is kids developing this bravado, I-don’t-care attitude. They harden themselves to situations. “You see that with a lot of the youngsters who use the centre. “Sometimes they will be pupils kicked out of school for bad behaviour.

“Yes, we have had problems at the centre but they have been very few and never very serious. When the centre organises any trips, Geraldine actively encourages the youths to book mini-buses, draw up plans and exact costings.

“I had one young tearaway who was constantly asking to go on a climbing trip because he loved climbing. “So I said to him, ‘OK, you draw up the plan and write your own risk assessment.’ “This approach does work.

“If they have a sense of ownership it means so much more to kids. “It’s the same with art work on the walls outside, or furniture they actually built when we moved in. “They don’t just stand as objects to be targeted, they are creations they designed; they belong to them.”

The youth project is an arm of the 3Gs Development Trust, a community regeneration organisation and registered charity, relying mainly on Communities First Funding. Since 2001, £167m has been allocated to the 10-year programme across Wales by the National Assembly. This year’s budget is £45.5m.

The Forsythia Youth Project currently opens for four hours in the afternoon and three hours in the evening, from Monday to Thursday. The Government’s aim is to extend these hours into Friday and the weekend, when most incidents take place.

Louise Casey, who was head-hunted by former Primer Minister Tony Blair, carried out a year-long study into engaging communities in the fight against crime and came out with 30 sweeping proposals. That report was published last week and concluded that extended opening times were desperately needed to combat anti-social behaviour and other causes of crime. “The Government should ensure that, by summer 2009, there are youth activities available where needed on Friday evenings in those 50 (most deprived) areas and future capital investment in youth facilities,” said Ms Casey. Geraldine said: “We’ve already had youngsters ask about opening weekends but there are always issues of staffing and funding. “I’d love to open any time of the week. I think it will make a difference.”

Cinetig, an Arts Council of Wales Lottery-funded company, worked with the centre on a film production focusing on a vandalised war memorial in the town centre. The central figure of St Tydfil was torn from its fixtures in Pontmorlais and the memorial was daubed with graffiti. The video, titled Behind the Stone, features the youngsters playing teenagers taking drugs and drinking, with shameful consequences.

Hannah Davies, project co-ordinator for Cinetig, said: “Forsythia plays a vital role in its community by involving its young people in positive projects that help draw them away from crime, drink and drugs.”

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Assembly Government said: “Almost every Communities First partnership has prioritised work with children and young people from the start of the programme.

“There is also increasing recognition of the importance of working with the very young and with disadvantaged families.”

The Forsythia Youth Project has won awards for its work and continues to welcome up to 60 youngsters a day. Geraldine said: “The centre’s not about reforming characters. “You can only provide the steps for young people to take. “They have to climb them.”

*******************************************

*MINISTER VISITS MERTHYR PROJECT TACKLING POVERTY AND DISADVANTAGE *

Improving skills and realising people's potential are the key to tackling poverty and boosting opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds Social Justice Minister Dr Brian Gibbons said on a visit to Merthyr Tydfil today (Monday 25 February).

The Minister visited the 3G's Development Trust to see how their projects are making a difference on the ground.

The 3G's Development Trust is the host body for the Gurnos, Galon Uchaf and Penydarren Communities First Partnership. It provides a range of services for local people, including an information shop where other agencies can provide outreach services such as the Want 2 Work initiative, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, and Community Legal Services.

They also provide a community education project called Life Support that aims to tackle worklessness and economic inactivity through widening participation in Higher Education. It helps people without formal qualifications to build on their day-to-day experiences to develop qualities, qualification, expertise and skills to enable them to undertake a university level qualification and enter employment.

The project also helps people overcome some of the barriers holding them back by realizing their innate potential. This includes social support to tackle low self-esteem, help with caring responsibilities and financial issues.

Brian Gibbons said: "Helping people into and remaining in work is the best route out of poverty. Life Support is a community led project using Communities First funding that is helping people break the cycle of poverty by giving them the skills, support and the belief they need to gain qualifications and employment.

"Ready access to advice on work and financial issues can make a real difference, helping people to understand what support and financial assistance is available. The 3Gs information shop provides this in one place.

As well as improving skills we need to remove barriers to employment, for example by ensuring accessible and affordable childcare. In addition to nfunding local projects we have made a commitment to increasing the provision of free childcare to families in some of our most deprived communities. Our Flying Start Programme includes free part-time high quality childcare for two year olds in targeted communities."

*******************************************

New helpline to help protect people from illegal money lenders was officially launched by Social Justice Minister Dr Brian Gibbons today. (25 Feb 2008). Chair of 3G's Development Trust Terry Bence addressed those attending the launch held at the Welsh Assembly Government's offices in Rhydacar, Merthyr Tydfil.

The confidential hotline, 0300 123 3311, offers help and support to loan shark victims and their families. It has been set up by Cardiff Trading Standards in partnership with the Wales Heads of Trading Standards and is part of the All Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit - an eight strong team of trading standards officers who help people having problems with illegal money lenders throughout Wales.

The Minister said the service is a further step forward in the battle to get loan sharks off the streets by helping to create a climate in which victims can come forward without fear of reprisals.

*******************************************