Multiply leaves lasting legacy with network of education hubs

The Multiply project has funded and established a network of education hubs in 25 community spaces across Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Ynys Môn.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Multiply team has invested in furniture and ICT equipment to transform community centres and local authority venues into bespoke learning rooms.

These will be used to deliver lifelong learning courses and training opportunities for adults returning to learning, ensuring that Multiply leaves a lasting legacy across the four counties.

The Grŵp led on the Multiply project across the four counties, supporting adults aged 19 and above to develop their confidence with numbers.

Now that the project has come to an end, the investment in teaching and training facilities will ensure ongoing numeracy development and other opportunities for the hardest-to-reach areas and learners.

Sioned Williams, Multiply project manager, said: “The Multiply project embodies Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's mission of 'Improving People's Futures' by creating lasting opportunities for learning and community engagement.

“By investing in these education hubs, we've ensured that adults across the region have access to the tools and spaces they need to develop new skills, build confidence, and improve their futures. This legacy will continue to benefit communities for years to come.”

Caryl Jones, Age Cymru Bontnewydd, said: "Since the Covid 19 period, many more older people want to develop their information technology skills.

"We didn't have the resources to do that at Age Cymru in Bontnewydd, although we had facilities, and good transport links to the village. ⁠We can offer much better IT lessons with the new equipment.

"We're looking forward to collaborating with Potensial, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, on developing further diverse courses.

"Having the classroom and equipment here at Age Cymru will give the opportunity to bring the people of the village together to get involved in different activities, especially educational sessions."

Lliwen Morris, from Cefnfaes Center, Bethesda, said: "We hope to give more groups opportunities to use the Cefnfaes Centre, groups such as older people, and the history group who currently have no space and need IT tools for their sessions. We also want to attract groups that haven't had previous opportunities to do all kinds of classes and activities.

"We hope to start giving Welsh lessons at the centre and use the technology in the lessons."

"Learners can also use the centre's equipment if they don't have their own, and it's somewhere warm and safe to go."

Hugh Kevin Lewis, Capel Bach Trawsfynydd said: "I hope the equipment will be a great help to the choir at Capel Bach, and will help us develop the women's choir. The centre will be available to the young farmers' clubs to do agri-business courses etc.; and also, to other groups within the village and wider community.

"After we have finished all the renovations at Capel Bach, we will be inviting residents of the community and former choir members to see it, with the purpose of introducing them to the centre and teaching them about the renewable energy materials used in the repairs. We hope this will encourage them to take courses on renewable energy here."

Vicky Welsman, of Blossom & Bloom in Rhyl, said: “This will enable Blossom & Bloom to provide a wider range of development opportunities to parents in Rhyl. Parents will now be able to access IT equipment throughout the daytime while their children are in childcare, nursery or school, increasing the learning potential offered to parents within our town centre.”

A spokesperson for the Lock Up Heritage Centre, in Llangollen, said: “No other venue in the town centre has the facilities that the Multiply equipment grant has supplied. This will enable a greater diversity of adult education to be delivered in Llangollen, and will enable Grŵp Llandrillo Menai to continue to deliver education here through its Potensial programme.”

Elizabeth Kennett, of Hwb LlanNi in Llannerchymedd, said: “The equipment funded by the grant will make our Hwb an extremely suitable venue for all sorts of courses and events.

“Hwb Llannerchymedd is looking forward to the opportunity to run a variety of courses including for people who lack confidence in using the internet, receiving emails etc, Welsh-language classes, local history talks and other courses that the local community identify as useful and needed.”

Beth Whitney, of Hen Ysgol Borth Amlwch, said: “As Amlwch Port is a deprived area of the island, it is nice to have some positive news about local centres receiving funding.

“I have spoken to two user groups since the equipment has arrived. There was positive feedback from both groups and they were looking forward to using it. Groups can use the interactive screen for presentations, and the Old School could potentially be seen as the place to go for a range of courses, talks and meetings.”

Elfed Morris, of Ysgol Gymuned Moelfre, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this funding, which has enabled us to create a welcoming and well-resourced learning space which will also serve as a hub for community engagement, strengthening ties between the school and local residents.

“This initiative will empower members of our community, bridging gaps in numeracy skills and fostering lifelong learning opportunities. The support from Multiply has been instrumental in making this vision a reality, and we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits for our learners.”

Patricia Hughes, of Neuadd Bentref Llanddona, said: “This equipment will also enable us to respond to the needs of the community by providing more bespoke training and learning opportunities.

“We feel very privileged to have been given these resources and look forward to working in partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai so we can make full use of our facilities for the benefit of the community.”

Katie Edwards, of The Centre in Ruthin, said: “This will be a space to help people improve their job prospects, IT skills and maths skills.

“Having access to this IT equipment at The Centre will enable those who struggle to access IT equipment to gain valuable skill sets, enhance their CV and increase their learning and knowledge.”

Simon Williams, of Canolfan Dewi Sant in Eryrys, Denbighshire, said: “With the improved facilities we hope to increase the number of adult educational events, which in turn will improve adult education within the area and improve people’s confidence and wellbeing.”

Ffion Lois, of Neuadd Rhydymain, said: “This grant provides us with much needed equipment to offer training courses to local people that we have been unable to offer in the past.

“We now hope to expand and reach out to our community to see what training sessions they would like to engage in and arrange these events to meet the demand.”

Multiply was funded by the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund. Grŵp Llandrillo Menai led on the Multiply project in Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Ynys Môn since its inception in September 2023, helping adults improve their confidence with numbers in everyday life.

Building on the Multiply project, Potensial, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s lifelong learning brand, is engaging with local primary schools across North Wales as part of a family learning programme supporting parents to help their children with homework. The family learning programme is also offering courses including cookery and budgeting.

For more information, visit the Potensial page, or contact:

• Gwynedd and Anglesey: communitymenai@gllm.ac.uk 01248 370 125
• Conwy and Denbigh: enquiries.cdpotensial@gllm.ac.uk 01492 546 666