Reflecting on Over a Year of Community Impact: Case Studies from Our Centre

We are thrilled to share the remarkable impact and stories that have unfolded within our vibrant community and cultural centre over the past year. With funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund* and the dedication of our staff and volunteer team, our centre has been able to thrive and make a meaningful difference in Blaenau Gwent through multiple projects and initiatives we’ve developed.

We invite you to delve into a selection of our projects through the case studies captured in the infographics below!

(Figures correct as of May 2024.)

EVI Community Pantry: Softening the Blow of High Living Costs

Since its launch in February 2023, our Community Pantry has flourished into a bustling hub of community support, providing access to quality produce and fostering friendships every Monday. The project offers the community a way to reduce their weekly grocery bills significantly. Stocked with fresh fruits, vegetables, fridge and freezer essentials, pantry staples, and more, over 273 households in Blaenau Gwent benefit from this service. By paying just £4 per shopping trip, households have saved hundreds on their grocery bills. To date, 3,466 visits have been made to EVI Pantry, saving the community an estimated £48,524! You can learn more, join, or support EVI Pantry here.

EVI Repair Café: Giving Your Belongings a Second Chance

Also launching in February 2023, our EVI Repair Cafe transforms our centre once a month into a space where your broken and damaged items are given a second chance at life. The project brings the community and volunteers together to share skills, save money, and reduce waste sent to landfill. Our Repair Café has successfully repaired 181 items to date, including jewellery, household electricals, bikes, furniture, clothing, and more. That’s 403 kg of waste saved from landfill, avoiding 8,219 kg of CO2e emissions entering the atmosphere, saving our community an estimated £23,480 in replacement costs! For upcoming dates and to get involved, head here.

Training, Volunteering, and Support Opportunities: Supporting People to Reach Their Full Potential

Over the past year, we’ve offered a wide range of training, support, work experience, and volunteering opportunities to the community. This includes our free Accredited Hospitality Academy (in partnership with Communities for Work+ and Adult Learning Wales), along with our advice and guidance service. We’re proud that 19 individuals completed work experience programmes with us in a variety of roles, and 115 people have gained qualifications or completed courses with our support! Additionally, our advice and guidance service, providing free support with benefit checks, form filling and more, has resulted in an annual benefit gain of £15,367!

While our volunteering opportunities offer a range of benefits to the individual, volunteers are crucial for the success of our projects —we extend a big thank you to our 70 volunteers from the last year!

EVI Journeys: Inspiring Personal Stories from Sue, Lynne, and Connor

Click on the images below to explore the experiences of three of our volunteers and work experience participants through their EVI journey. These stories showcase the valuable contributions of team members Sue, Lynne, and Connor, whose work has greatly benefited our centre and supported the community, while also leading to personal development and wellbeing.

Thank you for reflecting on the last year at Ebbw Vale Institute with us. We’re not finished yet! We’ve been busy planning numerous new initiatives and developments for the next year. Keep an eye on our website and social media for what’s coming next!

ProMo Cymru, charity and social enterprise, operates and is the custodian of the Ebbw Vale Institute. We are proud to have saved EVI for future community use.

*Ebbw VaIe Institute is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.*

*The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

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EVI Pantry has recently received £19,919 from The National Lottery Community Fund. Thank you!