Winner of the Hywel Francis Award for Community Impact

The growing need to provide training and support to anyone aged 16 and over across the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council area has led to an innovative learning centre that has engaged with more than 1,000 people in the past year alone.  

Compass Community Hub was rebranded in April 2023 and the Gurnos-based operation has widened access to residents in the local area, adopting a flexible approach to reach out to the community.  

The launch coincided with an injection of capital funding for refurbishment from Welsh Government that converted one training block into supported living accommodation for young people leaving care. This helped to bring them closer to learning and progression with The Hub located right on their doorstep.  

The Hub’s range of training and support helps learners to build their work-related skills, make connections, improve their confidence and get advice and support. Workshops, courses and community events are offered on various days and times throughout the week. All courses, workshops and support are free.  

The facility is unique within the borough as no other adult learning centre offers such a one-stopshop which includes construction areas, ceramics workshops, an IT suite, retail training and two large training rooms.  

Leanne Williams, from Compass Community Hub, said: “The team has worked hard to build up a range of courses and to develop an ever-changing offer that encourages everyone into some form of adult learning, whatever their levels, interest and abilities, including some who may be neuro divergent, have poor mental health or low skills.”  

The project also has an ex-offender mentor to support them in moving forward in their lives, reducing the risk of reoffending through access to learning and sustainable employment.  

More than 100 referrals are received every month from either partner organisations or individuals, and more than half of the learners have completed a formal qualification.  

Relationships have been built with other providers such as the University of South Wales and Adult Learning Wales to deliver some of their learning programmes from The Hub.  

Plans for the future include a community café where disabled individuals with learning difficulties can volunteer, work and learn in the field of hospitality and catering.  

There is also an appetite to deliver “Compass in the Community” workshops at other community buildings right across Merthyr Tydfil. 

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