Community
Seeing communities flourish is at the heart of Menter Môn. We help to create prosperous communities, where the Welsh language thrives. Our aim is to promote a healthy environment, where talented young people are employed in high quality jobs, and where communities come together to overcome the challenges they face and be more enterprising as they shape their communities for the future.
Overview
Menter Môn's individual projects within our communities are transformative and have a positive impact on various aspects of local life. By focusing on improving the use of the Welsh language, empowering communities and supporting them to carry out community and cultural activities as well as the environmental issues of our habitat, each project makes a difference in the lives of our local residents. Through these efforts, Menter Môn has contributed to strengthening communities to come together, building strength and working together as they face challenges and build a better, more prosperous future for everyone.
About
Areas of Work
Young People – Young people are important to the future of our communities and for twenty years we have provided opportunities through our projects such as the establishment of Theatr Ieuenctid Môn, arts workshops leading up to Gwyl Cefni.
Rhwydwaith has been established to foster and support young musical talent on Anglesey by providing specialist training, in order to strengthen their confidence and their contribution to the island’s Welsh music scene.
By fostering a supportive atmosphere and offering opportunities for personal and professional growth, Menter Môn has given young people a boost, giving them the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world. With the Llwyddo’n Lleol plan from the Welsh Government, Menter Môn together with partners are serving within the four Arfor shires to highlight exciting career opportunities, and try to convince the young generation to stay, or to return, to their communities.
Environment – We live in a unique area with special habitats and species. Menter Môn tries to protect our natural environment for the benefit of generations to come. Among our plans is Afonydd Menai which tries to protect the water vole, in collaboration with communities. We have also recognized the potential of using the natural assets of our environment to create renewable energy projects such as with Morlais and Holyhead Hydrogen.
Communities – Vibrant communities are essential to the standard of living of its residents. Key to this is the ability and capacity for communities to decide and influence their own future. This can be by owning a pub, organising festivals or celebrating identity. Through Balchder Bro schemes we work with communities in Anglesey on a range of schemes which are important to local people. A number of community activities that you see on our social media have been funded through the Balchder Bro scheme.
Following the success of Grymuso Gwynedd, our officers in Gwynedd are now working alongside Gwynedd Council’s Community Support team to develop local regeneration plans for the county, Ardal Ni. The work includes providing practical support to new and developing groups, including help to formalise entities, develop projects, secure funding and facilitate and coordinate local networks.
Our Ein Hanes Ni scheme seeks to promote and record the history and heritage of communities across Anglesey and Gwynedd. One of the main aims of the plan is to stimulate the relationship between generations by bridging and creating a connection between older people and younger people or children in order to appreciate, learn and educate about the history of their square mile. There is a natural interweaving happening between all community plans giving a better understanding of needs, priorities and what is important to our communities.
The Welsh Language – At the heart of all our projects is the aim of reinforcing, protecting, and celebrating the Welsh language and the heritage of our habitat. From our work with the Language Forum, to hosting Gwyl Cefni and establishing the Theatr Ieuenctid Môn, we are committed to strengthening the language in Anglesey and beyond by working together with our partners to increase the number of Welsh speakers and offer Gofod Cymraeg spaces where Welsh is spoken naturally. Through the work of our language initiative, we have collaborated on projects to introduce the language at a young age with the app Ogi Ogi and Selog, normalising and promoting the language from birth.
