The long awaited start to renovating the former St Mair’s Day Centre in Aberdare
The long awaited start to renovating the former St Mair’s Day Centre in Aberdare began on the 17th August 2020, with appointed contractor M and J Cosgrove Ltd breaking ground on the £1.8 million project.
Cynon Linc, as the building is now known, will offer residents a much wider range of services under one roof. The project will include a new GP surgery, children’s Day nursery, café, information and advice hub, a space for local groups to hire, meeting and conference facilities – as well as the relocated head office for Age Connects Morgannwg (ACM).
ACM signed a 99 year lease with RCTCBC in 2018 as part of the RCT Together approach which focuses on working with communities and the voluntary sector to explore alternative delivery models and maintain services for the future.
The project has been made possible with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund CAT2 programme, Welsh Government Integrated Care Fund, Dunhill Medical Trust and Pen Y Cymoedd.
Christopher Ward, Acting Chair of ACM said: “We are very grateful to all of our funders who have worked hard with us to put together a financial package which has enabled us to start renovations. We very much looking forward to being able to open our doors to the community in Autumn 2021.”
Rachel Rowlands Chief Executive of ACM said: “I’m delighted that work has started on this exciting community-led project. Every feature of the hub reflects what the community has told us they want to see and includes something for all ages. That really is the key to the sustainability of this transformational project, that different generations will use it and help shape it over time to remain a real asset of the community.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council spokesperson said ’ “I’m very pleased the Cynon Linc project in Aberdare has progressed to its latest milestone, following the Council’s Community Asset Transfer of the former St Mair’s Day Centre to Age Connects Morgannwg in 2018. This ambitious project, through RCT Together, will bring several important services together under one roof, utilising significant external funding to create a better offer for users and improved accessibility. I’m looking forward to seeing progress with the renovation in the coming weeks and months.”
About Age Connects Morgannwg
- Age Connects Morgannwg is the operating title of Age Concern Morgannwg, an independent local charity (Registered no 1129973), working with and for older people in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil.
- Age Connects Morgannwg has spent the last 40+ years delivering its mission to improve the quality of life of older people.
- The charity’s vision is of a society where older people are respected and enabled to meet their aspirations.
Services that are delivered by Age Connects Morgannwg include;
- Information and Advice
- Welfare Rights Service
- Dementia Support in the Community
- Support for Social Prescribing
- Independent Advocacy
- Hospital to Home Service
- Activities in daycare and residential homes
- Nail cutting Service called Simply Nails
- https://www.ageconnectsmorgannwg.org.uk/renovation-project
