A COMMUNITY project in Monmouth has cause for celebration after being awarded a share of over £2.8 million.

St Thomas the Martyr Church Hall, a Grade II listed building in Monmouthshire, is set to benefit from £340,000 as part of a Welsh Government community programme.

The church hall has been awarded the funding to help fund an improved entrance, enlarged main hall, new toilets and function rooms and modern facilities.

The first stage of the process began in September last year, with visits from Welsh Government officials taking place before the hall was awarded the funding.

The hall, which currently accommodates a wide range of community groups, including a parent and toddler group, senior citizens club and job club, will benefit from the funds that will allow refurbishments, enabling the hall to throw open its doors to even more local groups.

The Community Facilities Programme provides organisations with capital grant funding of up to £500,000 to help tackle poverty by creating and improving buildings and facilities to be used by the local community. A two stage process assesses the eligibility of projects, ensuring that chosen projects are a good fit for the scheme. The programme picks projects based on whether they are needed and used by the community, are providing a valuable community service and are sustainable in the medium and long term, among others.

Reverend David McGladdery, vicar of the Monmouth Group of Parishes, said: “We are all delighted with the grant. We have been working on the plans for redeveloping the hall for many years and church and community members have already raised over £60,000 towards the work. We still need another £80,000 to complete the project but I hope we will be able to start the work quite soon”.

Steve Martin, project coordinator and secretary at St Thomas’ Church said: “The intention of the grant is to help tackle poverty. We’re hoping to provide a number of activities, a drop in centre and an advice facility.”

The group are also working with Christians Against Poverty and local charity Bridges Community Centre, who are assisting the hall with dementia training.

The funding is part of a £2.8 million boost for ten community projects across Wales which was announced by the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, last week (22nd December).

The Minister said: “The £2.8 million I have announced is set to breathe new life into some of the buildings and spaces most valued by people across Wales.

“These projects truly are the heart of their communities, providing a huge range of important services, from counselling and childcare, to shelter for homeless people and job clubs.

“The funding will enable these projects to expand their work further, throwing open their doors to even more people in the local community.”