The Welsh Assembly Government’s Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM, donned her wellies and got her hands dirty recently when she spent the day volunteering at Groundwork Caerphilly’s Routes 2 Life allotment project.
Groundwork Caerphilly offers volunteering opportunities to people with disabilities, long-term illnesses or those who are unemployed.
In return the volunteers learn horticultural, agricultural and traditional skills which help develop their employment prospects, self-esteem and general well being. Displaying the produce they grow at local events also helps volunteers to develop personal confidence and communication skills.
The Routes 2 Life project site near Pontllanffraith consists of three large polytunnels where the majority of the training is undertaken, a welfare facility and a traditional skill training area on site. There is also a large pond, habitat areas, ground level plant beds, herb garden, compost area and large paddock.
The project has received Welsh Assembly Government funding through the Rural Development Plan and although the allotment is outside the boundary of the Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Area, the Deputy Minister is familiar with Groundworks Caerphilly through other projects which are in the Heads of the Valleys area and which receive funding from the Welsh Assembly Government under the Strategic Regeneration Area programme.
For more information visit www.groundworkinwales.org.uk