Build It Glyncoch

Build It Glyncoch The Build It Project, organised under The People & Work Unit umbrella, is funded for 5 years by The Rank Foundation (2008-2013). It enables a number of skill based 'learning' voluntary projects to be introduced into Glyncoch, such as decorating, dealing with environmental issues and wood working projects. Following the transfer of Council Houses to Residents' Housing Associations, a huge amount of housing maintenance and development work will be needed throughout Wales in the near future and as we do not want Glyncoch to miss out on the employment opportunities right on our doorstep, Build It is starting to prepare potential workers right now.

The team have undertaken a wide range of tasks since the middle of 2008, including digging trenches, decorating several public buildings in the village and building large outdoor benches and signs for Glyncoch's woodland park. The biggest project to date has been the refurbishment of a RCT Homes flat, one of several void properties in Glyncoch. This involved a complete refurbishment and included training in plastering, carpentry, tiling, kitchen fitting and wall-papering. Having completed this project successfully, RCT Homes would now like the team to work on other properties in the area. There are many benefits to this approach, including improving the village environment, providing an excellent opportunity for on the job skills training and giving local young people a sense of pride in their own community. 

Currently, there are 2 trainees seconded to Build It from Rathbone (UK wide voluntary youth sector organisation helping to re-engage young people in skills related projects) and up to 6 regular volunteers. From last year's cohort of 5 regular trainees, 2 are studying at Merthyr Tydfil College (1 in plastering, 1 in carpentry, both looking for apprenticeship placements for their second year), 1 has recently secured employment and another has regular construction work (dot and dabbing). The fifth member of our first team is applying for his Construction Skills (CSCS) card and, like all the others, regularly returns to volunteer in the project.

If anyone in the community would like to talk with Hywel about construction trade training, volunteering or apprenticeships, please feel free to call him on 07974 657362 or email: hywel.williams@peopleandworkunit.org.uk. He'd also be pleased to hear from anyone interested in taking on one of the Build It trainees for a work experience or apprenticeship placement.

Chance to Learn

Chance to Learn seeks to support community members in all forms of post-16 learning with the object of improving access to and retention within mainstream education and training opportunities. Occasionally this will mean the Project Leader running a course to model what is possible but usually the idea is to help other providers (from statutory and third sectors) to survey local needs, recruit and help with progression. The project aims to work with a total of 120 people over three years and has already supported over 50 in its first year.


Sue Barrow, the Chance to Learn Project Leader, has been making quite an impact on various people’s lives since the project got off the ground in October 2008. Sue started mapping local learning provision and found that people needed basic support with job applications, university forms and CVs as well as some practical and vocational practice. Sue has a variety of useful credentials to assist her in the role of Project Leader. Not only is she a fully qualified Sports Therapist Consultant with a PGCE Teaching degree, she also recently graduated with a second degree in Counselling, so her many skills, qualifications and talents are put to good use in this exciting and extremely varied role. Sue has organised several courses in Glyncoch Community Centre, such as psychology, Welsh, a slimmer’s club, fitness classes, depression busting courses and food hygiene certificated day schools. Sue has also kept her ongoing responsibilities towards supporting learners from several other valley communities as they progress through college and university. Several of these learners have secured employment in caring services, including nursing. Although Sue's role is centred in Glyncoch she also provides learning support in Bryncynon (near Abercynon) and Gurnos (Merthyr Tydfil). She has considerable experience encouraging and supporting people with learning opportunities and is available to talk with anyone about training, courses, and progression into work. Sue has initiated a basic skills class, but if you want to join this one you will have to put your name down as it is proving to be very popular. A digi-lab has also been set up at Glyncoch Community Centre and Sue is on hand for basic IT skills tuition if you need it. Sue is in touch with many local training providers and has helped many people join in the courses by arranging their childcare via Genesis. There's lots of fascinating courses and amazing challenges out there, so why not pop into the Community Centre at Glyncoch or give her a ring on 07971 540528 or e-mail her at sue.barrow@peopleandworkunit.org.uk


The Glyncoch Bulid It Project is funded by The Rank Foundation, and Chance to Learn is funded by Esmče Fairbairn.