A COMMUNITY facility in the Caerphilly county borough has been given a face lift thanks to investment through a council home improvement programme.

Cefn Hengoed Youth Centre has received £11,000 of improvements, including upgrading wifi and internet access, the installation of purpose build work benches for IT equipment and internal decoration.

The improvements were supported by the Employment Fund which forms part of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme. The WHQS programme will see over £220 million invested into the homes of council tenants and local communities in the Caerphilly county borough by 2020.

As well as enhancing the facility for the local community, the improvements have enabled the council teams responsible for delivering the Welsh Government funded programmes Communities for Work and Communities for Work Plus to offer weekly employment support sessions from the venue.

The drop-in sessions are held every Wednesday and offering one to one appointments, as well as support with job search, creating CVs, completing job applications, digital skills and wellbeing support. Citizens Advice Bureau also runs an outreach service at the same time.

The Youth Centre is managed by a committee of volunteers and as well as hosting a weekly youth club is also used by local community groups as a meeting place.

An open day is being held at Cefn Hengoed Youth Centre from 2:30pm until 5:30pm on Wednesday, March 6 for the community to view the improved facility and to find out more about the range of activities on offer at the venue, including gentle exercise classes and over-50s social group, Croeso Club.

Cllr Lisa Phipps, the council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Places, said: “The council is committed to ensuring that the investment being made through WHQS is maximised to deliver much wider benefits for local communities.

"The WHQS Employment Fund was established to help remove barriers and support those seeking employment.

"The investment into Cefn Hengoed Youth Centre will enable local people to access this support in their community.”

The council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for regeneration, Cllr Sean Morgan, added: “The council’s Legacy team have worked closely with the Youth Centre’s committee in planning improvements to the building to ensure they benefit all users.

"As well as creating a more pleasant environment for the Centre’s existing users, the improvements also present opportunities to further develop the facility into a hub for the local community.”