Vale PSB secures funding for outdoor education centre 

The Vale Public Service Board was successful in its bid to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for £25,000 towards the delivery of projects in local communities around climate change and the Move More Eat Well Plan

27 August, 2021

Four projects were identified which would contribute to the PSB’s objective to 'protect, enhance and value our environment' whilst also increasing engagement with local communities. 

The majority of the funding was used to build an outdoor education centre as part of the Everyone’s Garden project in Colcot. This is a project led by the Council’s Housing team and has enabled the team to enhance the work they had started in the area with the local community.  

The outdoor education centre will provide a valuable community resource and demonstrates a commitment to the area. The centre has been integrated into the existing garden and play area and will enable people of all ages to safely engage and socialise in the outdoor space. 

The centre will be utilised by Colcot Primary School and Pencoedtre High School for curriculum purposes and it will also be a shelter for when groups are using the site in poor weather. Community groups will be able to use the education centre for training purposes (Nutrition For Life, Healthy Eating classes, Foodwise).

In addition to the education centre a new play storage shed will house all the play equipment for the children to use both for educational purposes and recreation. 

The next stage for the gardens is a plastic bottle greenhouse which is being built by young people over the summer holidays with help from Bouygues UK who are the contractors building the new Pencoedtre High School.

There will be a launch of the education centre later in the year which will also provide an opportunity to thank partners for their contribution to making the centre happen.

Funding was also provided to Glamorgan Voluntary Services for the CF61 garden project in Llantwit Major. 

The grant was used to support the work of an existing volunteer group to develop a garden which will help connect people with nature and provide a facility for those who may not have a garden of their own. 

The funding from NRW was also used to enable the Council to plant 14 semi mature native trees in Barry increasing the tree canopy in the urban area. This is supporting the work being undertaken to improve the green infrastructure and air quality in the town and to tackle climate change and improve health. 

Finally, a small amount of the funding was used to enhance the Food Vale website. The website is now more engaging and accessible. The improved functionality of the website has helped to promote Food Vale and provided a valuable resource and source of information through the pandemic, and was integral to the Food Vale Festival held earlier this year. 

Across all four projects the emphasis was on enjoying and valuing our environment and appreciating the legacy we need to leave for future generations. This is also consistent with the Council’s work on Project Zero.

"The funding from Natural Resources Wales has enabled the PSB to support some great projects in the Vale. The funding has been used to support our local communities and improve the environment.

"I would like to thank Mark Ellis in the Community Investment Team for all his hard work in making the outdoor education centre happen and continuing to deliver the vision for Everyone’s Garden.

"“Diolch, too to colleagues in Countryside Services and GVS for their projects which will provide real benefits to residents and the environment. Great work all!" - Tom Bowring, Head of Policy and Business Transformation.