The Accelerate programme is supporting refurbishing Glanrhyd church into a space for the local communities to use.
Glanrhyd Church is a beautiful church set on the grounds of Glanrhyd Hospital, a mental health facility in Pen-Y-Fai, Bridgend.
The church is a light and open space that could be perfect for the local community to use.
In line with The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, the refurbishment will aim to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of the local community.
To this end, the architect involved with this project, Professor Phil Jones, is an expert in low carbon building design, to ensure the transformation is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Not only will this refurbishment project restore a historical building, but it is also creating something that is right for local people, as well as staff and patients on-site.
This project is also a true collaboration, including Research, Innovation and Improvement Co-ordination (RIIC) , CTM University Health Board, BAVO (Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations), Mental Health Matters Wales, Zenergy Design and a local architect from the Cardiff School of Architecture as well as the Clinical Innovation Accelerator team at Cardiff University., who are a key partner in the Accelerate programme.
Involving the community
It is hoped transforming the church will boost social and wellbeing activity in the area, while preserving the beautiful heritage of the building.
Research, Innovation and Improvement Co-ordination (RIIC) Hub Local Engagement Officer, Lizzie, facilitated three workshops on Zoom with 24 members of the community, health board staff working at Glanrhyd Hospital and representatives from local organisations.
In these workshops, Lizzie presented some ideas, and then asked those attending for feedback and share any additional thoughts they have.
What is happening next?
The team have looked at all of the feedback from their workshops and have worked with the architect to review the building to see what is possible.
They will be working with their partners to further develop the ideas and will be sharing these soon
To stay up to date with this project, visit their website or Twitter for more.
The project is supported by Accelerate, funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.
