| Summary |
The Community Resilience Grant 2025 is an accessible small grants programme designed to strengthen communities along the Conwy Valley and North Wales Coast Line.
Led by the Conwy Valley and North Wales Coast Community Rail Partnership (CRP) in partnership with Avanti West Coast, the initiative will provide grants of up to £1,000 to local charities, community interest companies (CICs) and grassroots organisations located within a five-mile radius of railway stations along the line.
The grant scheme will be co-funded by the CRP and Avanti West Coast and administered by Conwy Voluntary Services Council (CVSC), who will also work with other County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) along the coast to ensure wide reach and fair access.
The fund will empower small organisations to deliver projects that promote community wellbeing, inclusion, sustainability, and local engagement, aligning with the four pillars of Community Rail: giving communities a voice, promoting sustainable travel, supporting social and economic development, and bringing people together.
| Aims and Objectives |
1. To strengthen community resilience along the Conwy Valley and North Wales Coast Line.
- Provide accessible grants of up to £1,000 to local CICs, charities, and grassroots groups.
- Support projects that address social isolation, promote wellbeing, and enhance community cohesion.
- Encourage organisations to identify and respond to local needs through engagement with their beneficiaries.
2. To promote sustainable and healthy travel through awareness of the local rail network.
- Raise awareness of the Conwy Valley and North Wales Coast Line and the opportunities it offers.
- Encourage the use of sustainable transport options when delivering or accessing funded activities.
- Strengthen the link between community projects and rail-based accessibility.
3. To promote inclusion and equality by ensuring fair access to funding opportunities.
- Ensure the grant fund is open to all eligible organisations within a defined five-mile radius of railway stations.
- Implement a transparent and fair assessment process through CVSC, the CRP and transport operators.
- Encourage applications from underrepresented and diverse community groups.
4. To support social and economic development within local communities.
- Enable small community organisations to deliver activities that have measurable social and economic benefits.
- Strengthen local partnerships and networks between community organisations and the rail industry.
- Capture the impact of funded projects through end-of-project reports, photographs, and testimonials.
| Partners |
- Avanti West Coast – provides financial support through the Station Community Fund to help deliver the grant scheme.
- Transport for Wales – provides the core funding for the CRP which will be used to co-fund the grant scheme.
- Conwy Voluntary Services Council (CVSC) – administers the grant scheme, manages applications, liaises with other County Voluntary Councils (CVCs), and ensures fair distribution.
- Local Community Organisations and Applicants – deliver funded projects that promote inclusion, wellbeing, sustainability, and community engagement.
| Delivery |
TOTAL AWARDED
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
- Launch of the Community Resilience Grant Press Release:
- Successful applicants Press Release:
TGP Cymru (Team aound the Tenancy)
£664.85
TGP Cymru intends to use the funding to run wellbeing and creative activities for young people aged 16–25 who face housing challenges or isolation. The funding will cover a graffiti art workshop with a local artist, including room hire, travel, and lunch costs. These activities aim to build confidence, reduce isolation, and help participants develop social and independent living skills in a supportive group setting.
Canolfan Gymunedol Capel Currig Community Centre
£919
The organisation, Canolfan Gymunedol Capel Curig Community Centre, intends to use the grant funding to employ a freelance workshop leader to deliver five winter workshops for local young people as part of their Agoriad Llygad / Eye Opener project. These workshops will build confidence, resilience, and skills through activities focused on local culture, outdoor education, and environmental awareness. The funding will help provide meaningful engagement for 21 young people in this isolated rural community, addressing isolation and limited access to services, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging and opportunity within Capel Curig.
Stepping Stones North Wales
£1,000
Stepping Stones North Wales intends to use the grant funding to provide 24 professional art therapy sessions for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The money will cover the cost of a qualified art therapist and necessary art materials. These weekly sessions aim to help survivors express trauma through art, improve mental health and wellbeing, and support recovery and resilience. Participants will also be invited to join ongoing support groups and activities to continue their personal development and healing.
Coast Community Radio and Media CIC T/A Bayside Radio
£672.15
Bayside Radio intends to use the grant funding to produce and broadcast a six-month “Waves of Wellbeing” campaign, sharing positive messages and practical coping strategies to help listeners manage mental health challenges during the autumn and winter months. The funding will cover production and airtime costs for over 480 broadcasts featuring wellbeing advice, local support information, and encouraging stories from individuals and organisations. The campaign aims to reduce isolation, improve mental health and wellbeing, and provide vital support to Bayside Radio’s 15,000 weekly listeners across North Wales.
2nd Holyhead (St Cybi) Scout Group
£800
The 2nd Holyhead (St Cybi) Scout Group intends to use the grant funding to upgrade and modernise the toilet facilities in their Scout Hall by installing two new gender-neutral toilets, one of which will be accessible with handrails. The improvements will make the building more inclusive and suitable for all users, including young members, adult volunteers, and visitors. The upgraded facilities will also enable the group to host overnight camps and community events, supporting youth development, independence, and low-cost Scouting activities in the area.
Wintergreen CIC
£120
Wintergreen CIC intends to use the grant funding to print photographs taken by veterans as part of their photography club. The printed photos will be displayed at community exhibitions, celebrating the veterans’ creativity and helping to promote wellbeing, connection, and inclusion through shared artistic expression.
Clwb yr Efail (The Smithy Centre) Centre For the Elderly
£200
Clwb yr Efail intends to use the grant funding to purchase a new replacement chest freezer for safely storing food used to prepare meals for its elderly and vulnerable members. This will help the club continue providing daily refreshments and nutritious meals in a welcoming environment that supports social interaction and reduces isolation among older people in the Conwy community.
Forget-me-not Chorus (FMNC) Denbighshire and Conwy
£945
Forget-me-not Chorus intends to use the grant funding to support weekly community choir sessions in Rhyl for people living with and alongside dementia. The money will cover the cost of a local session coordinator who provides continuity, emotional support, and outreach to participants and carers. These inclusive singing sessions aim to reduce isolation, improve mental health and wellbeing, and build a supportive community where those affected by dementia can connect, express themselves, and find joy through shared music.
Grwp Cymunedol Maestryfan Community Group
£1,000
Grwp Cymunedol Maestryfan intends to use the grant funding to organise a Christmas community trip for socially disadvantaged families to the Chester Zoo Lanterns and Light experience. The money will cover transport, entry fees, and meals for the children, providing families with a joyful festive outing they might not otherwise afford. The trip aims to reduce isolation, strengthen community relationships, and support children’s social and emotional wellbeing through shared positive experiences.
Conwy and District Kaleidoscope Theatre Company
£919
Conwy and District Kaleidoscope Theatre Company intends to use the grant funding towards the cost of hiring an additional tutor to support their growing number of young performers aged 5–18. The funding will help reduce group sizes, provide more personalised teaching, and offer better support for children with additional needs during rehearsals for their 2026 production. This will enhance confidence, wellbeing, and inclusivity among participants, ensuring all young people can access affordable and high-quality creative opportunities.
Clwb Bowlio Blaenau Ffestiniog Bowling Club
£1,000
Clwb Bowlio Blaenau Ffestiniog Bowling Club intends to use the grant funding towards the purchase of a new mower essential for maintaining their bowling green in the town’s public park. Their existing mower has reached the end of its life and is no longer fit for purpose. The new equipment will ensure the continued upkeep and playability of the green, allowing the club’s 25 members to participate in local leagues and competitions while supporting community sport and social interaction in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Awel Cymru Gogledd CIC
£1,000
Awel Cymru Gogledd CIC intends to use the grant funding to continue their women-only cycling confidence sessions at Marsh Tracks in Rhyl. The money will cover track hire, travel expenses for a volunteer coach, an open day, and publicity materials. The project aims to help local women build cycling confidence, improve health and wellbeing, reduce isolation, and encourage more women, especially those from deprived areas, to use cycling as a form of active travel and social connection.
Tenovus Cancer Care
£1,000
Tenovus Cancer Care intends to use the grant funding to cover the salary of the choir leader for their “Sing With Us” project that Tenovus are looking to establish within Rhos on Sea and perform in Llandudno. The choir provides a supportive, uplifting space for people affected by cancer, helping them reduce isolation, improve mental health and wellbeing, and rebuild confidence through the joy of singing together. The sessions offer both emotional support and social connection for participants and their families.
Age and Dementia Friendly Holywell
£1,000
Age and Dementia Friendly Holywell intends to use the grant funding to organise a special riverboat trip on the River Dee in Chester for around 50–55 older adults and carers, including those living with dementia. The funding will cover the boat hire, buffet, refreshments, and light entertainment, creating a safe, inclusive, and uplifting experience that promotes wellbeing, social connection, and lasting memories for participants who often face isolation or mobility challenges.
Penmaenmawr Phoenix FC
£1,000
Penmaenmawr Phoenix FC intends to use the grant funding to expand its junior football programme by providing free half-term football sessions, wellbeing workshops, and training for young volunteer coaches. The money will also fund essential equipment such as footballs, bibs, cones, and mini goals. The project aims to improve children’s physical and mental wellbeing, reduce isolation, and create leadership opportunities for young people, benefitting over 100 local children and supporting the club’s long-term sustainability.
Shotton Steel RFC
£919
Shotton Steel RFC intends to use the grant funding towards the cost of providing a hot meal for every child playing in home rugby games throughout the season. The money will help cover the cost of around 666 meals for players in the U9 to U14/15 age groups, many of whom come from low-income families. This initiative aims to promote wellbeing, inclusion, and community spirit by ensuring that every young player receives a nutritious meal, which for some may be their only hot meal of the day, while also supporting social interaction and team bonding.
Llanrwst Badminton Club
£250
Llanrwst Badminton Club intends to use the grant funding to book courts at Llanrwst Leisure Centre and offer three free sessions to attract new and returning members following a decline in participation since Covid. The project aims to rebuild the club’s membership, encouraging people of all ages to get active, make new social connections, and improve their physical and mental wellbeing through regular community sport.
JuncYard CIC
£998
JuncYard CIC intends to use the grant funding to purchase skateboards, safety gear, ramps, cones, and first aid equipment to support the Victoria Skatepark Project in Llandudno Junction. The project will deliver free “learn to skateboard” lessons led by experienced instructors, providing all necessary equipment to ensure accessibility for children and young people of all backgrounds. The initiative aims to promote physical activity, confidence, and social connection, helping participants build skills and wellbeing while creating a safe, inclusive community space at the skatepark.
The Hygiene Bank Abergele
£570
The Hygiene Bank Abergele intends to use the grant funding to cover six months’ rent for their storage unit. This funding will enable them to store and distribute hygiene products to their network of community partners, including foodbanks, schools, and refuges, helping more local residents experiencing hygiene poverty. Overall, the money will support the organisation’s goal of improving health, wellbeing, and dignity for people struggling to afford basic hygiene essentials.
Malltraeth Ymlaen
£960
Malltraeth Ymlaen intends to use the grant funding to run a weekly “Lunch Together” project over the winter months, offering residents a warm meal and a welcoming space to socialise. The money will cover food, drink, room hire, and related costs, helping to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing in the rural community of Bodorgan, where many residents face financial hardship and loneliness. The project will also encourage volunteering and community connection, benefiting around 180 local people.
CPD Llanrwst Unedig / Llanrwst United Football Club
£967
Llanrwst United Football Club intends to use the grant funding to establish a new senior women’s football team, providing local girls with a pathway to continue playing after junior level. The money will fund essential start-up equipment such as goals, footballs, training gear, and safety barriers. This project aims to promote equality, improve health and wellbeing, and create a safe, supportive environment for women to play football, make friends, and stay active in their community.
Pals of Pen Prom (PoPP)
£200
The organisation Pals of Pen Prom (PoPP) intends to use the grant funding to improve and replant a large community planter on the Penmaenmawr promenade. The £200 will be spent on shrubs, hardy perennials, and spring bulbs suited to the coastal environment to add year-round colour, attract pollinators, and enhance the area’s visual appeal. The project will also provide opportunities for local volunteers to engage in gardening, promote social interaction, and contribute to community wellbeing while keeping the promenade clean and welcoming for residents and visitors.
Hwb Cae Erw Acre Field
£996
The organisation Hwb Cae Erw Acre Field intends to use the grant funding to purchase a wheelchair-accessible picnic table and a smaller child-friendly bench to improve inclusivity at their community field. These additions, alongside a new accessible path, will enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoor space for activities, events, and recreation. The project supports equality, health, and wellbeing by ensuring that everyone in the community, including wheelchair users and young children, can participate comfortably in social and community gatherings.
The Joshua Tree
£800
The Joshua Tree intends to use the grant funding to support families in North Wales affected by childhood cancer through a combination of outreach counselling sessions and a community wellbeing event. The funding will cover the cost of ten family counselling sessions, travel expenses for support workers visiting isolated families, and activities and refreshments for a community event in Bangor. These initiatives aim to reduce isolation, improve mental health and wellbeing, and foster peer connections among families coping with the challenges of childhood cancer.
St Ffraids Church House Association
£500
St Ffraids Church House Association intends to use the grant funding to cover the costs of running community engagement activities, including weekly choir practices and coffee mornings, by funding hall hire, heating, and refreshments. In addition, the funding will help provide food hampers for over-60s in Towyn and Kinmel Bay, supporting efforts to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing among older residents and regular community participants.
Dolwyddelan Community Council
£600
The Dolwyddelan Community Council intends to use the awarded funds to provide regular hot meals and social opportunities for elderly and housebound residents in the village. The project, titled “Pensioner Dinners,” will offer twelve hot meals twice a month and an additional Christmas dinner at Ysgol Dolwyddelan. The initiative aims to reduce isolation, improve health and wellbeing, and promote intergenerational connections by bringing pensioners together with local schoolchildren. Volunteers will assist with meal service and visit housebound residents to deliver food and provide companionship. The total grant of £600 will cover the cost of the meals prepared by the school’s chef.