Organisations share £30,000 grant to help tackle child poverty

20 March 2025

Over 35 organisations across Powys have shared a grant worth £30,000 to help deliver a range of activities and events to support families and children experiencing poverty or impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.

Introduced by Powys County Council to help tackle child poverty in the county, the Local Engagement Pilot Initiatives was a small grant scheme available for organisations to deliver community focused initiatives and events to support low-income families, families experiencing poverty or impacted by the cost of living.

The scheme was funded thanks to the Welsh Government's Child Poverty Innovation and Supporting Communities Grant Scheme, which the council was successful in securing last year.

A diverse range of activities have been organised across Powys thanks to the scheme, bringing much-needed support for families and children. Some of these activities include:

• Multi-sports programmes in Knighton, Newtown and Welshpool, engaging children aged four to 12 in physical activities in half-term
• Family arts activities in Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin and Montgomery to foster creativity and community spirit
• Weekly dance sessions in Brecon for children up to the age of five
• A breakfast club in Llandrindod Wells where children enjoyed health breakfast and creative activities together.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: "These initiatives and events will make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by poverty and the cost-of-living crisis in our county.

"By providing essential support and opportunities for families and children, we are fostering a stronger, more resilient community.

"We are incredibly proud of the efforts of all the groups and organisations in organising these events and are grateful for the funding from the Welsh Government in making this possible."

Clair Swales, Chief Executive of PAVO, said: "Initiatives that support the wellbeing of children are key to building a brighter, more equitable county for generations to come.

"Thank you to everyone who has worked hard to ensure this funding makes a difference to people's lives in Powys, empowering community organisations to create opportunities that help families thrive despite financial challenges."

Cllr Joy Jones, Powys County Council's Anti-Poverty Champion, said: "The activities and events funded through the Local Engagement Pilot Initiatives will have a positive impact on families and children across Powys and are crucial in addressing the challenges posed by poverty and the cost-of-living crisis.

"I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the organisations involved and the Welsh Government for their valuable support."

The following organisations received funding from the Local Engagement Pilot Initiatives:

• Activ8Kids: £3,810 for a five-day multi-sports programme in Knighton, Newtown, and Welshpool for children aged 4-12 during half-term.
• Arts Connection - Cyswllt Celf: £1,077 for family art sessions in Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin, and Montgomery.
• Berriew Pre-School: £463.87 for a pre-Christmas trip to Powis Castle and Christmas dinner for children and parents.
• Brecon Flying Start: £630 for weekly dance sessions for children aged 0-5.
• Brecon Youth Club: £500 for Cooking Good sessions for young people aged 11-25.
• Buttington Trewern Playgroup: £258 for stay and play sessions at a local garden centre for 3-4-year-olds and their parents, followed by lunch.
• Celf o Gwmpas: £1,500 for 12 weeks of Saturday morning breakfast clubs with healthy options and craft materials.
• Community Focused Schools (Brecon): £350 for drop-in sessions for parents to engage with the Family Liaison Officer and support services.
• Community Focused Schools and Flying Start: £600 for a Free Fun session during February half-term in Brecon, including an animal experience and face painting.
• Cultivate (Cwm Harry) Cyfyngedig: £1,000 for cooking sessions in three schools, culminating in a communal meal.
• Cylch Meithrin Carno a Ti a Fi: £1,000 for free activities for children aged 2-4, including supasrikers, Emma's Donkeys, cooking club, and messy play.
• Cylch Meithrin y Drenewydd: £400 for Football Multi-Skills sessions for toddlers aged 3-4.
• Dolau Cylch: £450 for an afternoon tea with Santa, including a picnic lunch, Christmas crafts, and presents.
• Dolau Recreation Association: £914 for free events, including film evenings for families.
• Dolau Ti a Fi: £500 for weekly sessions for children aged 0-5, including messy play, a farm visit, storytelling, and pottery painting.
• Enfys Fach Nursery (Brecon): £550 for Christmas activities for 2-4-year-olds and their families, including a wreath-making workshop, Christmas party, movie night, and swimming party.
• Feathers Youth Club (Welshpool): £700 for activities for young people aged 12-16, including trips to Black Hawk Laser, Inflation, and Shrewsbury Town Football Club.
• Knighton and District Community Centre: £534 for workshops for young people aged 11-16, including Christmas decorations and Valentine biscuits.
• Llandrindod Community Focused Schools: £350 for Coffee and Croissant mornings for parents to discuss concerns and access support services.
• Maesyrhandir C.P School: £500 for a multi-agency event offering essential provisions and support, including cooking demonstrations.
• Mid and North Powys Mind: £1,497 for weekly sessions for 16-25-year-olds, including free hot drinks, toast, art and craft workshops, and sports activities.
• Newtown Integrated Family Centre: £600 for three engagement events for Flying Start families, single parents, and Flying Start dads with children aged 0-5.
• Newtown Integrated Family Centre: £1,500 to expand its Baby Bank service with a dedicated space, extended hours, and additional sessions.
• NPTC: £2,700 for sessions at Brecon and Newtown campuses to raise awareness of poverty support and provide warm coats and hygiene packs.
• NPTC Student Union: £750 for a project to raise awareness of clothes recycling and consult on poverty, including a Repair Café and access to preloved clothes.
• Oriel Davies Gallery (Newtown): £1,000 for three day-long creative workshops for 12-18-year-olds with a professional artist and youth worker.
• Powys Flying Start: £450 for a trip to a local family farm for Flying Start families.
• Powys Flying Start and Schools Service: £490 for an information and engagement event for families, including craft activities and play opportunities.
• Priory Church in Wales Primary School: £350 for four Winter Warmer sessions with cooking demonstrations and multi-agency drop-ins for support.
• Regent Cinema (Newtown): £350 for a free Christmas Eve movie showing of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York with snacks, drinks, and presents for children.
• Rekindle (Newtown): £786 for a horse-riding excursion for 16-25-year-olds, including stable management and grooming.
• Severn Wye Energy Agency: £300 for a Family Information Day in Llandrindod Wells on energy saving, money advice, and scam protection, including Baby Bank and Uniform Exchange.
• Welshpool Church in Wales School: £84 for weekly parent/carer drop-ins.
• Welshpool Integrated Families Centre: £784 for three art sessions for 12-25-year-olds, culminating in an exhibition with meals provided.
• Ysgol Golwg Y Cwm: £430 for multi-agency support events highlighting available support for families in Ystradgynlais.
• Ysgol Maesydderwen and Powys County Council: £1,000 for a family/community gardening project with three after-school sessions, each lasting about three hours.
• Ysgol Trefonnen: £300 for a family literacy event for 0-17-year-olds and their families.
• Ystragynlais' Family Liaison Team: £500 for a family learning engagement event at Ysgol Golwg Y Cwm, including cooking sessions to build kitchen skill.