THE newly converted Community Hub in Gibbonsdown was officially opened by Minister for Communities Lesley Griffiths earlier this week.

The former housing office has been completely refurbished to provide support to the community following feedback that identified the need to provide a range of activities in the area.

Named Aberaeron House for the time being, the building will be officially named by the local residents during a fun day this October.

The hub will provide facilities for youth provision, such as a homework club, parent support facilities, including healthy eating classes, and coffee mornings and computer access for senior residents.

During her speech at the opening on Tuesday, July 21 Councillor Bronwen Brooks, Cabinet Member for Housing, Building Maintenance, and Community Safety said: “The opening of this building today not only marks the achievements partnership working can deliver, it also marks the beginning of a journey for the people of this area and a positive step in the delivery of Welsh Governments objectives.”

The hub has been equipped with energy efficiency improvements, which will not only reduce running costs for the building, but also aide demonstrations to the local community of the benefits of investing in energy-saving measures.

A greater focus is being placed on maximising fuel efficiency and reducing energy costs for the families in the Gibbonsdown area. The Council has already recruited an Energy Advisor to work with residents, and is awaiting the results of a bid for grant funding to improve the insulation to both Council and privately owned property.

In addition to the energy and fuel efficiency work this building supports, community engagement projects are also being provided at this venue through charitable partner All Youth Matters. Working in partnership, the Council and other organisations will be in a prime location to support the community. The support offered at this location will include surgeries by local police, Vale of Glamorgan Housing Repairs, and financial advisors, with potential to engage others to meet the changing demands of the community.

The works to the building were funded through the Welsh Government’s Tackling Poverty fund.