A community art project in Rhyl is getting some expect help thanks to an initiative run by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) Business Supporting Communities (B2C) project funded by the Big Lottery.
Rhyl Create was humbly established in 2005 as a community art and craft gallery, aimed at the promotion of the arts as part of the regeneration of the town.
The project supports artists and craft makers in the area by providing an opportunity to sell their work in their gallery in the White Rose Centre.
Rhyl Create is currently benefiting from expert guidance from freelance third sector consultant Darren Croft, who has more than 14 years of project management experience in the community and in the public sector. Darren is meeting with Rhyl Create leaders on a weekly basis, through B2C’s Mentoring initiative.
Darren said: “I’m about to go self-employed in the third sector so this was a win-win situation for all concerned. As well as helping Rhyl Create to develop, it is helping me to learn more about the issues in the sector I want to work in.”
“We meet up on a weekly basis which helps us keep on top of current issues and progress with development. We have discussed a number of different areas so far including staffing, marketing, projects and online sales. We have also looked at the various options relating to the overall business model.”
Rhyl Create, which is run by its members, is already seeing the benefits of the B2C Mentoring initiative.
Sheba Plumpton, Managing Director, said: “Having Darren around has been very useful. Simply having him there to speak to is great and his assistance is really helping us to move forward.”
“He has foreseen problems that might happen which we’ve been able to avoid and he’s helped us to implement improvements to the working environment. He has also provided advice on the delivery of community projects.”
“I would recommend that other community groups approach B2C to see how this initiative could help them.”
B2C Mentoring is one of a number of initiatives which the Big Lottery funded project, delivered by the six North Wales county voluntary councils, has set up to achieve its aim of forging lasting relationships between businesses and the communities that they serve.
Sarah Thomas, B2C Project Manager explained: “B2C Mentoring links people who have a wealth of specialist experience and knowledge, with community groups or individuals across North Wales who could benefit from their help and guidance.
“Mentors can come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions, but essentially will have excelled within a particular subject area, e.g. communications, Human Resources, marketing, IT, finance or business management
“Mentoring is all about one person helping another, so that they are able to achieve identified goals. Each Mentor and community group or individual will be carefully matched with support from the B2C team.”
For more information about this or any of B2C’s initiatives visit ww.b2cwales.co.uk.
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