Libanus Lifestyle’s community work praised by TV presenter Iolo Williams on visit

TV presenter and ornithologist Iolo Williams was once again full of praise for community hub Libanus Lifestyle on a repeat visit to Blackwood.

Based at the former Libanus Chapel, Libanus Lifestyle is a not-for-profit community interest company run by volunteers. Formed in November 2015, the organisation has since turned the old chapel, built in 1829, into a thriving hub of community activity.

Iolo first visited the centre earlier this year where he was shown the efforts of volunteers to build community and conservation.

This time, the Winterwatch, Springwatch and Autumnwatch presenter was shown the centre’s latest project – transforming the former chapel’s loft space into a new meeting area.

Funded with help from the Welsh Government and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (via Caerphilly County Borough Council), the new space should be ready by the beginning of next year for community use.

Iolo said: “I just find all of this genuinely inspirational. Every time I come here they are adding to it and doing more. I love the way everybody is chipping in.

“It has got a real community feel here and everybody gets a warm welcome.”

Iolo was in demand during his visit, with Caerphilly County Borough Mayor Julian Simmonds, deputy council leader Jamie Pritchard, local councillors and Barclays staff all keen to have a photo with him.

After its branch closure in Blackwood this year, Barclays has set-up a ‘banking hub’ at the centre for customers to drop-in.

Also visiting were pupils and staff from nearby Libanus Primary School’s eco-council.

Pupils Lucio Minolli and Addison Davis told Iolo about the school’s efforts to be more environmentally-friendly and the naturalist was suitably impressed. There are now plans for the school and Libanus Lifestyle to work more closely together.

Cllr Jamie Pritchard said: “It is great to see our business team working closely with organisations like Libanus Lifestyle, and the wider business community, to improve facilities across the borough.”

Karen James, Director of Libanus Lifestyle, thanked Iolo, as well as everyone else who visited, and said: “We have created a community safe space for people to come here and open up and we can point them in the direction to seek specialist support.

“We have been fortunate to get grants, but we have used those grants to improve the building to create a regular income to fund our community work.”