Disclaimer – This list is by no means a full list of all the creative, carer and community-led practises and ideas that Wales has to offer. In fact, we’d love to hear from you if you have examples and ideas that you would like to share! Please get in touch via the details at the bottom of this page.
Blaenau Gwent
Growing Space – Registered mental health charity founded in 1992, specialising in supporting individuals with mental ill health, autism or a learning disability. The charity helps to build their confidence, develop social skills and improve their quality of life. They operate across Gwent, Cardiff and The Vale.
https://www.growingspace.org.uk/
Wild Health – Wild Health is a project offering recreational, social and work-based outdoor opportunities for people who may benefit physically and emotionally from nature-based activities. Working in partnership with organisations across Gwent to provide inclusive access to the project.
https://www.gwentwildlife.org/about-us2/nature-based-solutions/health-and-wellbeing
Bridgend
Special Families Maesteg – This charity provides information, support, advice, activities and friendship to families with children and adults who have a disability in the area.
https://www.facebook.com/SpecialFamiliesMaesteg
Inclusability – Not-for-profit organisation set up to support adults and children with disabilities. Set up by three parents of children with disabilities who have a passion for improving the lives of those families that are affected by a disability and believe in creating a culture of inclusivity.
Caerphilly
Sparrows ALN – Parent carer network working in the Caerphilly area to bring fun and supportive events. During the pandemic, family carers in the network have been working to be there for each other with information and peer support.
https://www.facebook.com/SparrowsAln
AberValley Community Allotment – AberValley Community Allotment, is somewhere you can come for gardening advice and support over a cuppa, rent a plot if you want space to grow plants.
https://www.facebook.com/AberValley-Community-Allotment-486772685071630/
Cardiff
Cwtch Together– A parent carer led disability play project held in the centre of Cardiff which promotes inclusive play and socialisation for disabled children and their families.
https://www.cwtchtogether.co.uk/
Pedal Power – This charity, based in Cardiff, encourages and enables children and adults of all ages and abilities to experience the benefits of cycling. They strive to remove the barriers to cycling that many people face and work to a key set of values, such as, valuing people, creating a person-centred service and engaging with individuals and communities.
https://www.cardiffpedalpower.org/
Carmarthenshire
Cymunedau Cysylltiedig Sir Gâr Connected Communities Sir Gâr – Connected Communities Sir Gâr is a celebration of everything that makes Carmarthenshire great. The project wants to recognise the people and communities across Carmarthenshire who are taking action to share kindness, help us feel a sense of belonging, make new friends, and reach out to all of our residents.
Cymunedau Cysylltiedig Sir Gâr Connected Communities Sir Gâr
ReConnecting – Carmarthenshire – ReConnecting is a project designed to connect people together across all generations, by talking and undertaking activities together.
https://www.facebook.com/ReConnectingCarms/
Ceredigion
Mencap Ceredigion – Set up as a Mencap group, during the pandemic the members have been supporting each other and been organising weekly virtual activities to keep everyone connected.
https://twitter.com/mencapcered
RAY Ceredigion – A small charity who is making a big difference to communities in the area. During the pandemic they have moved most of their activities online, created activity packs and kept the creativity going as they think and develop more ways of working together with the community.
https://www.rayceredigion.org.uk/
Conwy
Conwy Connect – Set up in 1997 to help promote the rights of people with a learning disability, its aims include ensuring people have equality of choice and opportunity in the community they live in. They also help ‘CONNECT’ people who are interested in the continued care and support of people with a learning disability. They have different officers, supporting families of people with a learning disability in different aspects of life, one of this being a family transition officer.
https://www.conwy-connect.org.uk/
Repair Cafe Conwy – A group of volunteers that run a regular free repair event in Conwy. Anyone can bring household items, technology, bikes, clothing along and our volunteer experts will do their best to show you how to repair it.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/conwyrepaircafe/
Denbighshire
STAND North Wales – A not-for-profit Community Interest Company created in response to the closure of organisations representing families of children and young adults with Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Additional Needs and Disabilities in North Wales. They hold a parent carer forum and share learning across the network.
https://standnw.org/
South Denbighshire Community Partnership – South Denbighshire Community Partnership is a not-for-profit company and a registered Charity. The charities purposes are to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of South Denbighshire and the surrounding areas. Their objectives are to improve the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. They also aim to provide facilities locally based at our community centre which will promote social welfare and the well-being of the community, including social groups, meal on wheels service and community transport.
Flintshire
Flintshire Do-It – A group of people creating friendships and connections based on their strengths. Building inclusive communities.
https://www.facebook.com/Flintshire-Do-It-268294194035346
D.A.F.F.O.D.I.L.S – The objective of D.A.F.F.O.I.L.S charity is the relief of children and young people with physical or mental disabilities by the provision of recreation or other leisure time occupations for them and their families and carers with a view to integrating them into society and improving their conditions of life. They have a Facebook group, link copied below and can be contacted for membership by phone at 01352 250147.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/daffodilscharity
Gwynedd
Carers Outreach Service – Supporting unpaid carers in Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey, the Carers Outreach Service recognises that each caring situation is unique and carers have many different needs.
https://www.carersoutreach.org.uk/index.html
Partneriaeth Ogwen / Ogwen Partnership – A social enterprise working for the benefit of the economy, environment and communities of Dyffryn Ogwen.
https://www.partneriaethogwen.cymru/en/
Isle of Anglesey
Mencap Mon Hub Llangefni – Originally a space for local Mencap members to get together and try new activities, hold meetings, exhibitions and courses. Over the pandemic, this group of people with a learning disability and their parent carers have worked hard to move their community online and to keep connected.
https://www.mencapmon.co.uk/
Cymuned – The Virtual Village Hall for Anglesey– Virtual Village Halls exist to make local communities more accessible for all who want to be involved. Residents can still attend events or meet-ups in person, but now have the option of attending virtually. See the website for Ynys Mon here.
Read about it here – https://www.digitalcommunities.gov.wales/blog/cymuned-anglesey/
Merthyr Tydfil
Stephens And George Charitable Trust – Led by the community for the community, based in Merthyr Tydfil, this transformative Community Group mobilises people of all ages to take action in their local community and create a meaningful and long-lasting impact. They run the Dowlais Community Centre in Merthyr Tydfil.
https://www.facebook.com/sgdccentre/
Active wheels Inclusive Social cycling – An inclusive social cycling group, supporting people of all abilities to ride bikes to help physical and mental health and as part of their daily activities.
Monmouthshire
MAGIC – Parents and carers network working in Monmouthshire and the surrounding areas to support children and young people with disabilities and their families
https://www.magicparents.co.uk/
21Plus – A support group for families with a child who has Down’s syndrome in Monmouthshire, the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas
Neath Port Talbot
S.A.N Support Additional Needs Neath And District Information Page – S.A.N. is peer support group for parents and carers of people with additional needs in the Neath-Port Talbot area.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/664637053711730/
Building Blocks Family Centre – In 2001, four young mothers decided to solve the problem of affordable childcare locally by provide childcare in the local community.
https://buildingblocksfamilycentre.co.uk/
Newport
Newport Parent Network – This group, organised by GAVO, supports parents and carers living in Newport by getting their voices heard to ensure that decisions are made with parents and not for them.
https://www.facebook.com/NewportParentNetwork/
Dad’s Group Gwent – Holding regular meetings in the Newport area but covering all of Gwent, Dads Group Gwent’s aim is to provide a safe place for any dad caring for a child with additional needs, be that physical, developmental or intellectual.
https://dadsgroupgwent.wixsite.com/website
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire FRAME – This reuse projects provides support and work experience for vulnerable adults in a safe supportive environment. The aim of the project is to provide adults with disabilities, mental health issues and or learning difficulties with work experience by helping them to reuse and recycle items donated to Pembrokeshire FRAME.
https://www.pembrokeshire-frame.org.uk/
Bus Buddies – Bus Buddies is a local community project that helps people who need extra support to use public and community transport across Pembrokeshire.
https://www.facebook.com/Bus-Buddies-100882288166905/
Powys
Bubble Hub Community Project – Led by parent carer Mandy, the Bubble Hub is a space where parent and carers can find peer support, information and inclusive space for all, regardless of age and ability.
https://www.facebook.com/bubblehubbuilth
Cultivate Newtown – Cultivate is a local food coop, passionate about our food culture. We support local growers and producers and help people access good food grown locally.
https://www.facebook.com/cultivatenewtown
Rhondda Cynon Taff
The Grapevine – A group of parents and carers of adults with learning disabilities in the Rhondda Cynon Taff area. The groups aim is to challenge and change service provision to ensure people with a learning disability and their parent and carers lead a “good life”.
https://www.facebook.com/The-Grapevine-283908352524096/
Life With Autism- The group has been set up to provide support and services to children with ASD pre/post diagnosis and their families in the Rhondda Cynon Taff area.
https://www.facebook.com/lifewithautismwales/
Swansea
Swansea Parent Carer Forum – This voluntary group of parent carers all with children with additional needs, works with but independently with its local authorities to make sure that services meet the needs of disabled children, young people, adults and their families.
https://swanseapcf.org/
CanDo Connect CIC – CanDo Connect CIC aims to provide funded projects & support to individuals with Additional Learning Needs/ Disabilities and their families in Swansea and the surrounding areas.
https://www.facebook.com/candoconnectcic
Torfaen
Care & Repair Monmouthshire and Torfaen – Care & Repair Monmouthshire and Torfaen provide help and advice for those aged 60+ to enable them to remain safe, secure and independent in their own homes.
https://twitter.com/CareNRepairMT
Hope GB – Based in Torfaen, Hope GB is a voluntary run Support Group to help Families, Carers & Associates of children & adults with Autism & Aspergers.
Vale of Glamorgan
Barry Community Garden – Community project in Gibbonsdown. They are working to build a strong community through the involvement and participation of local residents, and to enhance an area of land in the heart of the Gibbonsdown area of Barry.
http://barrycommunitygarden.co.uk/
Cadog’s Corner – Charity who is addressing social isolation and aims to boost health, wellbeing and employability in Cadoxton, Barry.
https://www.facebook.com/cadogscornerbarry
Wrexham
The Friendship Hub Wrexham – The Hub gives ideas on activities in & around Wrexham. Written for people with disabilities by people with disabilities.
https://www.facebook.com/YrBothWrecsam
Learning Disability Families Wrexham LDFW – A Facebook group set up by local parent carers with the support of the All Wales Forum. This group is for learning disabilities families living in the Wrexham area who want to connect, exchange information and have a platform to build a voice locally and nationally. It’s also a place for more experienced families to talk and connect with less experienced families.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/341926277566526
If there is something creative or innovative happening in your area, that isn’t currently listed, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’d love to hear from you.
You can contact us by –
Email us: caringcommunities@allwalesforum.org.uk
Phone us: 07976 223992
Write to us – The All Wales Forum, 21 Cardiff Road, Taffs Well, Cardiff CF15 7RB
Social Media – Twitter Facebook
