Wales Projects

Since 2005, when the People’s Millions began, 18 projects in Wales have received grants totalling over £990,000.

Over the past five years of the People’s Millions competition we have seen some great projects in Wales. Previous winners include a multi-use games areas, parks, village halls and many more.

The Real Apprentice - 'You're Hired'

Now presents, Wales very own 'Real Apprentice' a project set up to help young people in South Wales who are not in education, employment or training to get their first big break in life - the chance of an apprenticeship in the construction industry. Based in part on the concept behind the popular TV show 'The Apprentice' but with a special construction twist, this will make a difference to the lives of 12 young people where by they will be set the challenge to renovate two houses from start to finish. The work will be tough, but it will build the candidates’ skills and confidence. They will be supervised and supported by the Construction Youth Trust and our expert trainers and construction professionals. In the process of renovating these homes the young people will gain skills in building, project management, surveying, interior design and sustainable construction. The winner – chosen on the basis of their effort, commitment, determination and talent – will be offered a much sought-after apprenticeship within the construction industry. The first phase in the Rhondda will be offered an apprenticeship by Connaught Academy and the second phase in Newport the apprenticeship will be offered by Newport City Homes. But the best bit is that EVERYONE who participates will be a winner, given the chance through this project to start life afresh with greater confidence, marketable skills and relevant experience that they couldn’t get elsewhere. This is a classic example of how the Construction Youth Trust helps disadvantaged young people on their journey to work. We have loads of industry and community support for The Real Apprentice (see list of our kind supporters below), but we also really need your vote! Please help us and pick up the phone and vote for 'The Real Apprentice' on 25th November. Lines will be open 25th of November 9am until midnight. Phone lines now open 0871 6268112. Block votes encouraged. Directed by: Lisa Nelmes - Wales Manager Supported by: RCT Homes,Rathbones, Penrhys Partnership, Careers Wales, Connaught, Warick Emanual, Want2work, Construction Skills, Too Good Too Waste, Newport City Homes, Newport Construction Initiative, Compass/Solas, Rounded Developments, ITV Wales, Big Lottery Camarthenshire Council, Coleg Sir Gar, CCTAL, Integrate, Heatforce, Bullock Cymru, Connaught, Wates Living Space,Tools4ur Future, Newport Council, Ferndale Community School, FOBE, Job centre Plus, Rise, BAM, Job Match, V2C,Charter Housing,Taff Housing, Heads of Valleys, Newydd, NSA Strides, Bron Afon, FBI-Female Builder Interiors, Wates Living Space, Chwarae Teg, Connaught, Safer Wales, Bullock Cymru, NFB, Igloo, Jive, E3, United Welsh Housing Association, Bro Dysg, Community First, Youth Services, Residents Associations, Youth Offending Team, 14-19 Network, St Julians high School, Coleg Gwent, Womens Workshop, UKRC, Maerdy Community First, Tylorstown Communtiy First, Stanleytown Community First, Ponygwaith Community First, Ynyshir Community First, Wattstown Community First, Cymmer Community First, Ontrack, Porth Waun Wen Community First, Neath / Port Talbot youth service, Betws Community First, Upper Valley Community First, Rhydfelin Community First, Ystrad Community First, Gilfachgoch, Ammanford/Graig/Pibwrlyd, Safer Wales,Turnaround, Leadbitter, Somerton, Alway, GAVO, Surestart, RCT Council, Wastesavers, Newport information Shop,Concreate Society, Ringland Community Centre, Constructing Excellence, Chwarae Teg, NIACE Rhondda and Newport, South East Wales Education and Training Network,Newport Employers Forum, Charter Housing, Ferndale Community School, Newport YOT, Cardiff YOT, Advisory Group,WES (Womens Engineering Society), Women in Construction- Joyce Watson AM, Morgan Ashurst, Dyfed Powys Probation, Solas/Compass, Moorland & Broadmead East Community Centre nb- Please note this list is not comprehensive, if you feel there are any updates please call Head Office 02072274562.

Parc Dolgellau

Dolgellau is a very small place with no facilities for residents or visitors especially all the young people who come into town to college and school. It is a long way to the nearest large town and public transport is expensive. We have all been working very hard to rennovate our park which used to be a great social centre but is now run down and neglected. We have provided a playground for the younger children. Now, teenagers , adults and older people also want somewhere to go... The project is to take the redevelopment of the Park to Phase 2, to provide benches and picnic tables, together with the creation of an open air performing area, a Teen Shelter for the youth and an outdoor Fitness Area for Adults, ensuring also wheelchair friendly paths and provision for people with disabilities. We want something for all the family.

Portable Media Centre

The project, based in Merthyr Tydfil, will provide media training for young people to increase their skills and raise self-confidence. The portable media centre will enable us to hold and deliver classes to the community, schools, adult centres, ect. This equipment will enable us to deliver structured learning which will involve community members making their own works such as films, music, graphic design and animation. The media facility will provide an opportunity to support new initiatives that will have a substantial impact on the lives of community members in our area. Access to the arts, media, music and digital industries for our members through our activities will be created with the aim to provide a voice for local people, promoting learning and raising achievement in arts & media making for our members. This project will have a massive impact on the local communities throughout South Wales, not only will it give local residents training opportunities, we will be able to gain access and engage with those who have so far been hard to reach. Many of these areas are high on the deprivation list and this project will give them the chance to access facilities that otherwise would not have been open to them, which could result in future job opportunities. Through other projects we have been involved in we know that that projects such as these raise confidence & self esteem in the young people that are involved. It also gives withdrawn young people the chance to make new friends and gets them involved in team activities; it also gives them goals – something to look forward to.

Morfa Spray and Play

The project is to replace a disused paddling pool with an interactive water playground in the local park in Morfa, Llanelli. The park is currently locked up and the young children in Morfa have nowhere to play locally. We want to transform the pool into a colourful, fun and attractive facility with an array of water sprinklers and water jets, and local children themselves have played a major role in the design of this proposed 'spray and play' area. It has been designed to be a safe, modern alternative to the paddling pool, as with no standing water it will be safer, environmentally friendly, economic, disabled friendly, as well as being a fabulous, fun, free, facility for families. There is huge community support from local residents/groups/organisations including the local primary school, nursery, dads group, family centre, and old age groups. All have worked together on the project. The young children in this area have nowhere to play, please help provide this wonderful 'spray and play' area for them!!! Please vote for us on Tuesday November 24th.

OAPP (Old Aged People's Park)

The project will create a play park for those aged 50+ in Plas Madoc in Wrexham. The equipment will promote manual dexterity and flexibility to tackle conditions such as arthritis. This will contribute to a more confident and healthy older population who will be better able to enjoy independent and productive lives. "Why do the kids get everything? What about us for a change?" (Plas Madoc 50+ Group Member) The new equipment will be installed in a recently decommissioned play ground site, which will bring this once popular location back into use. The site will then be landscaped and planted to provide a pleasant environment that will stimulate both activity and social interaction. "We don't stop playing because we grow old......we grow old because we stop playing!!!" (George Bernard Shaw)

Wildlife Gardening Wales (North Wales)

The Wildlife Gardening project will benefit thousands of people throughout North Wales. We will help fifteen community groups and schools create wildlife and people friendly community gardens. We will also give professional advice to all schools and community groups in North Wales requesting it. People of all ages, abilities and background will be able to take part creating these gardens. Unused, unsightly areas will be transformed to give people somewhere to go with their children, grandparents and friends to relax and see wildlife close by. We will also give people, especially children and teenagers, a chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables and get their hands dirty doing useful hands-on activities outdoors. This project will help create strong community groups. It will give young people new skills which will be useful for future careers and work. It will also give people a unique opportunity to improve and care for their own local environment. People will get to know eachother better and have fun while creating new meeting places which will benefit everyone. Thank you for your support and help, and to all the people who voted for us!!! TV presenter and naturalist Iolo Williams fully supports the project and says: "Gardens are becoming increasingly important for wildlife as we loose so much natural habitat in the countryside, so please vote for this project and help wildlife and people in Wales" We are supported by a Partnership including key partners in the field; North Wales Wildlife Trust, Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Wales, local authorities in North Wales including Gwynedd County Council, Conwy County Borough Council, Anglesey County Council, Snowdonia National Park Authority, Plas Tan-y Bwlch Field Study Centre, Treborth Botanic Gardens, Bangor University, RSPB, Snowdonia Society - Cymdeithas Eryri, Antur Waunfawr, Portmeirion, Butterfly Conservation Society and many more