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GP practice opens a new branch at Cynon Linc On Monday, August 15th Maendy Surgery, a branch of Abercwmboi Medical Practice, officially took up residency at their new surgery in the Cynon Linc community hub in Aberdare. Cynon Linc is a modern community centre that forms part of an overall network of services to support wellbeing for the people of Cynon Valley and beyond. GP Doctor Indu Nair said: “Abercwmboi Medical Practice have been in discussion with the Cynon Linc project since 2018 regarding the relocation of our newly named Maendy Place GP Surgery within the new Cynon Linc hub. “The hub, operatad by Age Connect Morgannwg, is a fantastic centre; it offers an extensive range of third sector and public health activities to support the local community, as well as a training centre. “Once again, we’d like to thank everyone for their patience over this service development period.” Sarah Bradley, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB’s Assistant Director for Primary Care added: “Our Health Board is excited to be able to partner with Cynon Linc to secure this important development for the communities of South Cynon. “This new location, within Cynon Linc, will significantly enhance the primary care arrangements for the communities of Mountain Ash and Aberdare; bringing together our GPs and practitioners with other healthcare professionals to support the health and wellbeing of our patients. “We encourage people to let us know what they think of their new GP facility.”

Community coffee mornings to launch at Cynon Linc We are delighted that Age Connects Morgannwg have chosen Cynon Linc to host their new Community Coffee Mornings. Starting on Monday 31 ST January, they will be running every week from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, until the end of March. Everyone is welcome to attend these free community events and there will be tea, coffee, and snacks available. Helen Davies is a Volunteer Manager at Age Connects Morgannwg and has been involved in planning the sessions. “It is an opportunity for people in need of company to get out of the house and attend a fun event in a safe place. Everyone coming to the coffee morning will be welcomed by friendly volunteers and staff and will have the opportunity to meet and interact with new people.” “We choose Cynon Linc because it is a thriving community space at the heart of the community, the perfect place to host a community coffee morning. Age Connects Morgannwg works towards changing attitudes around ageing and improving people’s lives, these coffee mornings will contribute towards achieving that vision.” Whilst planning the coffee mornings, the team at ACM consulted with many older people and volunteers to discover what services would help the community. The overwhelming consensus was a safe place where people could go and be a part of the community whilst engaging in meaningful discussions and activities. In addition to delivering this safe place for the community, the coffee mornings will also offer other benefits. These include alleviating isolation, reducing the likelihood of depression, and allowing people to raise concerns in a supportive environment. The first Community Coffee Morning will be held on Monday 31st January. During this first session, there will be a consultation and discussions about how to shape the group so that it meets the needs and wants of the attendees. If you want your views heard, ACM would love to see you at the event. Cynon Linc is a vibrant community hub, available to all ages and abilities, set in the heart of Aberdare town centre. It provides a place to eat and socialise, as well as providing spaces for hire and a range of services and facilities available to the local community.

Story continued as St Mair’s becomes Cynon Linc For more than 150 years, St Mair’s in Aberdare was a fixture of daily life in the town, first as a church and then a popular day centre for older people. All of us at Cynon Linc are proud to be continuing this tradition as we prepare for our official opening. St Mair’s Church opened its doors in November 1864, it was built for the Welsh speaking Anglican congregation of Aberdare and served the town for almost 100 years. When the church was demolished in 1963. the site was developed and rebuilt as the St Mair’s Centre, a day centre for older people in the area. Now, following a major refurbishment project led by Age Connects Morgannwg, the building will be officially opened on November 25th as Cynon Linc, a modern hub for the whole community to enjoy. The grand opening will be conducted by Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, who will unveil a commemorative plaque in the foyer. The event will be attended by many of the key stakeholders who helped make Cynon Linc a reality, the guests will enjoy a tour of the building and refreshments from the inhouse kitchen team. Plans to redevelop St Mair’s date back to August 2018, when older person’s charity Age Connects Morgannwg took over the running of the building. Construction work started in August 2020 and was completed exactly one year later. The Cynon Linc project was developed by a partnership that also included, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Cwm Taff University Health Board, and partners from the third sector and local community.

The countdown to the long-awaited opening of Cynon Linc is over, as we opened the doors of our new inclusive hub to the community on October 4th. We are a vibrant community hub set on Seymour Street in the heart of Aberdare town centre. Redeveloped over the course of just one year, the hub includes a large kitchen and coffee shop, doctor’s surgery, over 50s advice and information point, mental health support services and a nail clinic. The new facility is managed by Karen Davies with Head Chef Andrew Mason in charge of the catering. The new hub is also the perfect venue for a host of events, classes, and meetings, it has six rooms to hire including a fully accessible main hall, seating up to 248 attendees. The events programme already announced includes fitness classes for the over 50’s, weekly youth group, community first aid training, and a family film afternoon. The Cynon Linc project was developed by a partnership that included Age Connects Morgannwg, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Cwm Taff University Health Board, and partners from the third sector and the local community. The vision was to transform the former St. Mair’s Day Centre into a modern and inclusive hub that could serve the whole community. The project started in August 2018 when Age Connects Morgannwg took over the running of the building ahead of starting major refurbishment work. Construction work started in August 2020 and was completed exactly one year later, the building contractor was M and J Cosgrove Contractors, and the design of the building was provided by Ongl Interior Design. Rachel Rowlands is the CEO of Age Connects Morgannwg. “I am so impressed with the redevelopment of Cynon linc and the work the whole team has done. Despite the extensive challenges created by the pandemic the project was delivered on time and on budget. The result is a bright, spacious, and welcoming hub that will be a major asset to the whole of the Cynon Valley for many years to come. There is real excitement in the community for the grand opening and we can’t wait to welcome them through the doors.” We are already home to several organisations including the new head office of Age Connects Morgannwg, the Hyb kitchen and coffee shop, Maendy Place GP Surgery, Simply Nails and Signposted Cymru, and we will be announcing a soft play facility soon! Darren Thomas is a Trustee at Signposted Cymru, “we provide immediate and initial intervention for people suffering and struggling with mental health issues. We offer support and guidance through our 5 pillars of well-being. The Cynon Linc building is ideally situated in Aberdare town centre and the facility has the space for us to help the people of South Wales to Acknowledge, Strive, Succeed, that is our Ethos”. The renovation project was funded by The Welsh Government Integrated Care Fund and several other funding bodies. These included The National Lottery Community Fund, Dunhill Medical Trust and Pen Y Cymoedd. Councillor Nicole Burnett, Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board said: “As a Regional Partnership Board, which manages £5m of Integrated Care Fund (ICF) Capital monies across the region, it’s always wonderful to see fantastic ICF funded projects come to life. The hub, which received £1.3M of ICF funding, is a truly impressive, and clearly developed with the heart and soul of the community in mind. We know Cynon Linc will hugely benefit the local community and beyond, and we look forward to seeing people enjoying all the facilities it has to offer.” The redevelopment of Cynon Linc will be celebrated at an official opening in November which will be attended by Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change.

Cynon Linc will be the new head office of Age Connects Morgannwg when the charity leaves their Pontypridd home later this month. Age Connects Morgannwg, along with Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Cwm Taff University Health Board, and other partners were behind the plans to transform the former Mair’s Day Centre into a community hub. With the project now complete, the older persons charity will be one of the key tenants at Cynon Linc when the new facility opens the doors in October.  Since 1977 Age Connects Morgannwg has been there to help and support older people through some of the most difficult times in their life. In the years since, many thousands of people living in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend have found companionship, laughter, new interests and a listening ear in the staff and volunteers who are the beating heart of this charity.