Community Legacy
Community Legacy supports people from a range of backgrounds to improve their health and wellbeing, learn new skills, develop personal characteristics, achieve accredited qualifications and make positive life improvements through the renovation of empty properties throughout the local communities of South Wales.
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the project supports the regeneration of our communities, reducing empty property numbers and positively impacting upon the effects of anti-social behaviour, crime, and vandalism. In doing so, the project supports people to learn new skills, develop a sense of community ownership and pride and make meaningful progression into employment or other positive ambitions.
“I wanted to get back into a work routine again and to see what went into making a home and to challenge myself. When I heard about the project, I did not realise how good it would be until I joined. It has really boosted my confidence in learning new skills and with people. It has given me something to focus on and look forward to in the mornings. I have had a positive time on the project, and I look forward to the future.”
Background
Katrina took part in the Community Legacy Project in Glynneath during 2020. Referred into the project by JobCentre Plus Neath, Katrina was used to maintaining her own home, carrying out as many DIY tasks as she could. However, she was keen to build upon these skills, and felt that joining the Community Legacy Project would allow her to learn new skills, whilst improving her confidence and self-esteem. As a single mother living in Glynneath, she also hoped that the project would allow her to meet new people in her local area who shared similar interests.
Journey
Katrina joined the project during January 2020 and quickly became one of our most diligent and committed participants. For a few months, Katrina engaged well with the project and was able to learn new skills quickly, whilst there was a considerable improvement in her confidence and motivation.
The project was suspended during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommenced in early September 2020. After the COVID-inspired hiatus, Katrina was straight back into the swing of things and threw herself into learning as many new skills as possible.
During the project, Katrina was successful in achieving both the Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work and CITB Health & Safety Awareness qualifications, providing her with the necessary knowledge and confidence to pass her CSCS test
Next Steps
Katrina became firm friends with a group of participants who shared her work-ethic and commitment and, as such, committed to starting a female DIY service in the local area with her colleagues.
Katrina excelled during the project and developed a wide range of skills that will support her positive employment journey.
