It has been a stellar start to the winter awards season for some of The Wallich’s dedicated teams who were recognised regionally and nationally for efforts in the community.
Welsh Housing Awards – Positive Placemaking Award
The Welsh Housing Awards 2022, organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, celebrates good practice with colleagues and tenants across the housing sector in Wales.
We were so pleased to accept the Positive Place Making Award for a flagship project with our partners.
We’ve been working with Isle of Anglesey County Council, in partnership with Wild Elements, to supply Anglesey food banks and Bwyd Da Mon with fresh fruit and veg.
Funding secured via Welsh Government’s ‘Tackling Food Poverty and Insecurity’, the site at Parc Mount, Llangefni, was provided by Care Link and will be maintained by Wallich clients.
A greenhouse, raised beds, water butts and a shed has already been installed at the site. Further expansion of the area will begin soon thanks to Wallich clients who have constructed a seated bench.
Welsh Housing Awards – Supporting Communities Award
One part of the PAWS project is specialist support for people who are part of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) Communities.
Working with Neath Port Talbot Social Services, Vulnerable Learners Service and more, the ‘Bridging Project’ has had massive success.
Special mention must go to Christine Griffiths, The Wallich staff member who delivers the bulk of this work.
From July 2020 – August 2022, we supported 50 families on local authority run caravan sites and 18 families in bricks and mortar homes. Plus 55 other people from GRT communities at our drop-in service.
We supported benefits claims to the value of £101,004 (yearly total) and assisted payment of £15,729 backdated benefits.
We assisted with the application of eligible funds and secured 272 household items such as washing machines, cookers, beds, sofas.
We secured £15,752 to help with the cost of living including fuel, school supplies and support for carers.
This investment in the community will help reduce risk of homelessness and help people live safer, happier and more independent lives.
More Than Just Fires Awards – Community & Partnership Award
More Than Just Fires Awards recognises the extraordinary contributions made by colleagues, partners and members of our community who support Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, making the region a safer place to live, work and visit.
The awards ceremony, which was held at the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, was hosted by BBC Radio Wales presenter, Wynne Evans.
It’s fantastic when public services in the community recognise our value in keeping people safe. We can also help public services become more trauma informed, by collaborating and showing them how we work.
Congratulations to the Carmarthenshire teams who, while all delivering different and specific services, work hard to uphold The Wallich’s reputation for supporting people across the region.
