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Wales’ climate change minister has heaped praise on Caerphilly Miners Centre following a visit to the community hub.

Julie James MS visited the centre on Thursday November 16, and said it was “vital” that projects like the Miners Centre are invested in.

It was Ms James’ first visit to the centre since 2019, with the building having undergone a dramatic transformation since.

During her visit, the minister was given a tour of the building, where she met with volunteers and businesses based at the centre – including Caerphilly Observer, which recently moved there.

Ms James also braved the rain to visit the centre’s climate change garden, which was unveiled last year.

The minister said: “The climate change garden is truly an inspirational addition to the centre and provides a lovely space for volunteers and the wider community to come together. I’m proud that it was supported with funding from one of the Welsh Government’s green initiatives.”

Ms James continued: “It is vital that we continue to invest in redevelopment projects like this so that communities can give buildings and spaces like Caerphilly Miners Centre a new lease of life and help encourage education and protection of nature and wildlife.”

The centre opened on the site of the former Caerphilly Miners Hospital in 2015.

Thanks to the tireless work and ambition of volunteers, the original Beeches Mansion part of the hospital was saved from demolition when the hospital closed in 2011.

Now, the Beeches building has been transformed into a modern community hub.

Katherine Hughes, who spearheaded those efforts, is now the centre’s chair and gave Ms James the tour.

Ms Hughes said the visit was “fantastic” and said it recognised the hard work of the centre’s volunteers.

She said: “A lot of hard work has been needed, but we’ve stuck with it. It feels as if there’s only a tiny bit to go now.

“The building needed more work than we anticipated and the costs went up during the work.

“We’re really happy with our progress, and the Welsh Government was marvellous as part of that process.”

During the centre’s multi-million pound transformation from hospital to community space, it received support from the Welsh Government, as well as organisations including the National Lottery Community Fund.

“People don’t realise how much effort goes in from so many people,” said Ms Hughes.

“People come here and feel welcomed, partly because of the building but also because of the people here.”