A community bus service receives vital funding boosting accessibility in rural areas. Hospitality training has also benefitted from the SPF.
It’s called the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). The government created it to replace EU money. This fund will keep running, but it will have less money than before.
Carmarthenshire gets £12.9 million for the next year. The council decided how to use this money.
One project, Dolen Teifi, got about £57,000. They bought a new minibus with it. This minibus helps people get around. The minibus has seventeen seats and is accessible.
Dolen Teifi offers transport in two counties. They help groups and individuals.
Rod Bowen said the minibus is very helpful. More people need transport since the pandemic. Older people use it for hospital visits.
Dolen Teifi also provided some money for the bus. Bowen says this grant leaves a lasting benefit. It helps the community.
Another group, Really Pro Ltd, also got SPF funds. They offer short hospitality training courses. 187 people and 26 businesses benefited.
Kelly Munroe said the courses cover hygiene and first aid. She thinks the SPF has had a big impact. Measuring results was very helpful. Such funding is truly vital.
The UK will get less SPF money next year. The total is £902 million. Poorer areas will receive priority. This is less money than the EU provided.
Carmarthenshire Council approves SPF applications. Swansea Council manages the funding for our region. They oversee everything.