SerenCyf in Blaenau Ffestiniog is a wonderful example of how working in partnership can help revive communities and turn negatives to positives with the right support. The company, whose name in Welsh means ‘Star’, was started in 1995 when the local council announced they would have to close the town center community park in Blaenau because of a lack of resources to maintain it.

I saw a great opportunity to set up a company to support people with learning disabilities and at the same time provide a service for the community. Since this period, we have expanded and grown considerably. This expansion has created a number of diverse employment openings for vulnerable adults and it is the work started by these adults that has shaped our current company structure of providing employment and training opportunities that exist to benefit other people and in-need groups living in our community.

As a company we work in partnership with Gwynedd County Council’s Social Services department, the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. We now employ over 50 people, and 19 adults that have a learning disability. Whilst the Blaenau Ffestiniog park was the starting point, the business has diversified it's portfolio and we now operate a social and therapeutic gardening project in the nearby village of Llan Ffestiniog, a handcrafts workshop that produces craft work and greeting cards from recycled materials, a mobile hospitality service, a marquee hire service a garden maintenance and landscape design and construction service and we also run an arts, crafts and gifts shop and a Café in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

One of our latest ventures is the furniture recycling and re-use retail center, located at the Llwyn Gell industrial estate in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Despite being a special and unique social enterprise, SerenCyf has taken advantage of mainstream local and national business services and have received financial support from European Funds, Snowdonia National Park Authority, and the Welsh Language Board to name but a few.

Their support included grants, help to create business plans and to find sponsorship, as well as general business advice. There were many sources of finance too, including Gwynedd County Council’s Rural Link. This is an example of some of the funds specifically targeted to help enterprises in rural Wales. Another valuable element in the support we received was advice from organisations working on similar projects in neighbouring areas. Through our activities, we are able to identify the positive impact the company has made in recent years, and as the company continues to grow and expand, then, so to, shall the benefits to the community.