Hub plan for community services
NEW community hubs are set to be created across a South Wales county to provide services such as libraries, community spaces, childcare and employment support, it has been revealed.
A report set to go before RCT council’s health and wellbeing scrutiny committee suggests the hubs are a way of delivering services in the community.
The report says the hubs could provide a library or community cafe, rooms for community groups or partners and information, advice and assistance and employment support
It says the hubs will make “better, more cost-effective” use of community assets and make them sustainable in the longer term.
They will support a “preventative approach” that enables individuals and families to access support as early as possible to prevent problems from escalating.
The areas identified for the hubs are Rhondda Fach, South Cynon, North Rhondda, South Rhondda, Mid Rhondda, North Cynon, North West Taff Ely, North East Taff Ely, South East Taff Ely and South West Taff Ely
The hubs would be set up over three years. The areas were chosen on the basis of population, natural boundaries and town centres, identifiable communities, alignment with school catchment areas, existing community support such as Communities First and Flying Start and the availability of public transport.
Potential hub buildings will be identified after a mapping exercise of existing public and third sector assets and services.
The council expects eight to 10 hubs to be established with some being run by the council, some by other third sector organisations and others in partnership, depending on the needs of the community and the opportunities available in each area.
There is already work going on in some areas with Porth Plaza having already been identified as the hub for Rhondda South.
In Aberdare, the council has agreed a leasehold transfer of St Mair’s Day Centre to Age Connects Morgannwg (ACM) who will develop a community hub with a range of services including a social enterprise bistro, community space for local groups to hire, childcare provision and a headquarters for ACM.
In Mountain Ash it is proposed to develop the existing day centre as a community hub to provide a range of council services from the same location.
There will also be the potential to develop links with the proposed Primary Care Hub to be developed in Mountain Ash by the Cwm Taf University Health Board.
In Ferndale it is proposed to work in partnership with a third sector organisation, Fern Partnership, to develop a community hub that will serve the Rhondda Fach which will include the relocation of Ferndale Library and provision of childcare services
The report goes on to say that the hubs will “deliver better public services that are joined up, efficient, coordinated and located close to the point of need.
“A focus on tackling adverse childhood experiences and supporting early years will assist in giving children the best possible start in life.”