1. The Cynon Linc Project
Registered Charity No

4. What’s was happening at St Mair’s
Opening Hours 10 am to 3.30pm
One lunch sitting per day between and 1.30
Bowls and snooker (one day per week)
Free space for community Groups to meet, ie Cynon Valley 50+ Forum, Sensory Impaired Support Group, OAP Association, Alzheimer’s Singing for the Brain, Yoga
Age Connects Morgannwg Nail-cutting Service 2 days per week
Meals/refreshments only available to people aged 50+ and subsidised meals only available to residents of RCT
Operational base for Meals on Wheels in the Cynon Valley

5. What people told us they wanted
Longer opening hours, allowing for evening activities such as concerts, dances, evening meals and film showings
Café/restaurant with affordable meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day and available to all ages
An Information and Advice Centre where people can get help
Suitable spaces for Arts classes, IT classes and other Adult Education
Regular exercise classes such as yoga and tai chi
Space for other community organisations to run activities
Rooms for hire for meetings, parties and events
Nail Cutting Clinic

6. Consultation Process
We carried out 5 consultation events with the current users of the centre and the general public between July 2015 and August 2017.
Over 400 people got involved.
90% felt that there was a need community hub in Aberdare (it should be noted that only 1% said no, the remaining said ‘don’t know’).
Specific comments included:
Increase awareness on challenges/barriers different generations face, utilise individuals/families skills and knowledge providing people of all ages with a purpose
Everyone in this community could benefit from the proposed plans. At last somewhere residents can socialise, learn, exercise and obtain advice available for all ages
Easily accessible services, wide variety of services to appeal to all the community, comfortable community feel

7. What will Cynon Linc offer?
A community hub accessible to people of all ages, from anywhere
Age Connects Morgannwg operational base
Day Nursery provision for babies and children up to the age of 5, delivered by The Fern Partnership (CIC)
Primary Care services via the Maendy Practice
A ‘meet and greet’ reception service to ensure visitors and callers to the centre feel welcome and are able to access the service they need
A Community Information and Advice Hub that will include surgery days with local third sector organisations and community groups

8. An Education Room suitable for use by the whole community which will include art classes, IT classes, adult learning, group activities and large meeting space
A Sensory and Therapies Room for use by people with cognitive impairment
A Dementia Café and activities that will offer support to carers
Affordable meals that cater for all dietary requirements, throughout the day and evening including food to go via snack outlets
Modern, well equipped space for community organisations to run activities and rooms for hire for meetings, parties and events
Nail Cutting Clinic

9. How it looks now

10. How it looks now

11. How it might look

12. Post completion External Elevation

13. Project Outcomes
Older people will take part in more evening activities resulting in a reduction in loneliness
Those living with dementia will be less isolated due to the increase in activities and facilities catering specifically for them
Long term sustainability of third sector and community organisations will be strengthened resulting in an increase in community benefit
Community cohesion will increase as more people of all ages take part together in activities and education

14. Getting here….. Engagement events throughout 2015
September 2016 – First stage application submitted to Big Lottery Fund Community Asset Transfer Programme (CAT2)
February 2017 – Capital Development Grant awarded (£48,050) to undertake a viability study of the project
26 September 2017 – Submit full application to BLF
8 February 2018 – Decision on application
ACM took over management of the Hub on 1 August 2018
12 month phased refurbishment and development programme (anticipated commencement date early 2019)
Cynon Linc official opening – latest January 2020

15. Thank You
For more information contact Su Wade on or
Registered Charity No