Wrexham Community Trust wins Welsh Government backing for ICT improvements

Dee Valley Trust CIC has received backing from Communities 2.0, the Welsh Government’s digital inclusion programme, to upgrade its ICT equipment. The support will help the organisation to generate revenue streams through redeveloping and renovating land and buildings and turning them into community, commercial and residential premises.

Dee Valley Trust CIC is based in the village of Cefn Mawr, South Wrexham, and serves it and adjacent villages Rhosymedre, Newbridge, Acrefair and Plas Madoc; parts of which are designated Communities First areas.

Dee Valley Trust CIC manages two buildings of 11 units that are leased to residential and commercial tenants , including a community café, hairdressers, and historical society, as well as an office for the local Member of Parliament. In addition to this, Dee Valley Trust CIC operates an after school club providing local children with a safe environment to relax, socialise and complete homework.

The group had been using a broadband router designed for home use for its office and after school club computers. It was also running an outdated operating system which was so slow the directors had to use their own tablets and laptops. The organisation did not have its own website.

The Communities 2.0 team performed an ICT review and offered several recommendations to improve the organisations' efficiency through the use of ICT. The review helped the organisation assess its existing equipment and identify training needs. This support will help Dee Valley Trust CIC to upgrade to new equipment. This will include a mobile tablet which will enhance the ability of the co-ordinator to work proactively at events throughout the area and to respond to requests when out of office.

Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Government programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Sonia Benbow Jones is Financial Director of Dee Valley Trust CIC. She commented,

“Not only are we delighted at being notified of the success of our application, but we have been really impressed at the depth of knowledge, expertise and professionalism of Communities 2.0 officers. We have no doubt that their extremely thorough ICT review and also guidance during application phases, has ensured we will have the ICT infrastructure we need to continue to deliver our work.”

Communities 2.0 project director Cathryn Marcus commented:

“Communities 2.0 is delighted to be able to add its support to this timely investment in Dee Valley Trust CIC. The organisation offers important services to the Dee Valley area and this investment will help the organisation to deliver those services more efficiently and effectively”.