Community centres across Wales such as Pembrokeshire’s Haverhub play a pivotal role in supporting the most vulnerable members of our society, Welsh Government Minister for Social Justice has declared.

Funding from the Community Facilities Programme has helped community centres – as well as a range of other facilities - to make improvements, repairs and redevelopments across Wales.

Each year projects can apply for larger grants up to £300,000 to cover the cost of upgrades to their community facilities, as well as small grants up to £25,000.

In the financial year 2021/22, 71 projects across Wales were awarded grants totalling nearly £7.7m.

The CFP funds the purchase and improvement of facilities which provide opportunities for local people to improve their day to day lives.

Projects that have benefitted across Wales include Haverhub in Pembrokeshire being awarded £250,000 for internal and external redevelopment of a former Post Office.

Gitti Coats, project director at Haverhub Community Interest Company in Pembrokeshire, said: “We spent a lot of the money on getting a full fit out of the kitchen so it could be used commercially, so we could get professional chefs and caterers to use it.

“Thanks to this we are able to run a community café six days a week and a pop-up barista too. It has become a welcoming space for people of all ages to meet.

She added: “We also spent money on AV equipment, so local musicians can come on stage and we have an open mic night once a week. We have around 60-80 people coming on a wet Wednesday night and it provides a safe space and environment for young people to come to.”

Welsh Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “Community centres play a pivotal role in supporting the most vulnerable members of our society and we are committed to supporting them, through the likes of our Community Facilities Programme, so they can continue providing a vital service to communities across Wales.”