The Big Lottery Fund has awarded Faith in Families (Swansea and Brecon Diocese Board for Social Responsibility) a major grant which will enable the development of the St John’s Family Centre in Brecon. The Big Lottery Fund distributes half of the National Lottery good cause funding across the UK.
St John’s Family Centre will be a distinctive and vibrant, multi-disciplinary project, dedicated to meeting the needs and demands of children, families and the rest of the community of St John’s, Brecon. It will encompass affordable day care, a high scope implemented playgroup, open access parent and toddler groups, after school fun and Leaning Clubs, a holiday play scheme and activities. It will arrange outings and family fun days and supply quality crèche facilities to complement the adult training courses which will run there.
Cherrie Taylor, Executive Officer for Faith in Families said, “We are dedicated to raising ambition and realising potential within this community, we will provide an easily accessible one-stop centre locally, ensuring an environment where children and adults will have the opportunity to discover, learn and experience play and support on many different levels, encouraging individuals to make a real difference to their neighbourhood, building strong and stable families that together can successfully raise their children.”
The exciting work on the development of the Old School will start within the next few months thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, Faith in Families will be working with Milsom Architects to bring about this flagship centre and we will hold a celebratory event shortly at the Cathedral to share with the community our further plans.
Bishop John Davies, Bishop of Swansea & Brecon said, “This substantial grant will enable Faith in Families to extend its enormously worthwhile work to the north of the Diocese once more. The setting of the family centre on a significant site, next to Brecon Cathedral, Priory Church in Wales School and at the heart of the local community, will provide wonderful and visible opportunities for families and community alike to grow in confidence and mutual support. I am delighted that this co-operation between the Big Lottery Fund and the Church has the potential to produce wonderful results. This project will illustrate that the Church is more than a building where people worship. We are committed to engaging with the communities we serve to show God’s love in a practical way.”
