My Housing Journey By Clifton Robinson, board member, Grŵp Cynefin

Sunday 16 December 2018

In my near 40-year career, I’ve been a trainer, mentor, a probation board chair, a director of housing, a chief executive, and a board member of two different housing associations.

Housing Associations collaborate to support the North Wales Growth Deal

Tuesday 4 December 2018

A group of six local housing associations have come together in an exciting joint venture to accelerate development of new affordable homes in support of delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal.

New community garden launched to help protect older people’s wellbeing

Tuesday 27 November 2018

Older people in Anglesey are picking up trowels and forks to fight loneliness at a newly opened community garden.

A new savings scheme which gives up to a £1,200 bonus to people on low incomes has been launched

Wednesday 7 November 2018

The Government's Help to Save initiative, which is available to working people on tax credits and universal credit, rewards savers with an extra 50p for every £1 saved.

Homes to feature on contemporary jeweller’s 2019 Conwy county Eisteddfod Crown design

Tuesday 6 November 2018

A north Wales contemporary jeweller has received approval by the Gorsedd of the Bards Board for her 2019 Crown design for Conwy county’s event next year.

Housing Association Performance Comparison Tool

Thursday 1 November 2018

Grŵp Cynefin is a registered social landlord registered in Wales, or often called 'Housing Association'. The Welsh Government has recently reviewed the regulatory arrangements and has created a tool to enable tenants, service users, stakeholders and partners to access performance data.

400 new homes on cards thanks to Grŵp Cynefin’s ambitious growth strategy

Wednesday 31 October 2018

Grŵp Cynefin’s, North Wales’ only pan-regional housing association has unveiled an ambitious growth strategy that will see it deliver more than 400 additional new homes by 2021.

Regulatory Judgement 2018

Wednesday 31 October 2018

Grŵp Cynefin is a Registered Social Landlord, and this means that we are regulated by the Welsh Government Regulatory Team.

People are being asked to turn detective and help shed light on a village’s history

Friday 26 October 2018

A rundown former railway building on the walkway at Meliden, Prestatyn, is undergoing a £1.2 million revamp, transforming it into a community hub with a café, heritage, bike hire facility, and business start-up units.

A brand new specially built bungalow makes life more comfortable for disabled tenant

Thursday 18 October 2018

A brand new specially built Flintshire bungalow will make life much more comfortable for a disabled tenant and her live-in carers, thanks to Grŵp Cynefin.

Intergenerational work shortlisted for national award

Monday 8 October 2018

Grŵp Cynefin’s work bringing together old and young people through the arts has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award.

Grŵp Cynefin appoints experienced strategic leads as non-executive directors

Monday 1 October 2018

Grŵp Cynefin, a leading housing association for north and mid Wales, which manages approximately 4,800 homes, has appointed two non-executive directors to support its growth and development delivering social housing and community schemes.

Horses helping north Wales domestic abuse survivors recover

Tuesday 11 September 2018

Victims of domestic abuse in Anglesey and Gwynedd are regaining their confidence and receiving support on the road to recovery thanks to an innovative scheme involving horses.

Grŵp Cynefin development gives back to Rhyl community

Thursday 9 August 2018

A housing development in Rhyl has helped two charities in the town as well as provided additional training opportunities for apprentices following the launch of a new initiative.

Contemporary jeweller chosen as 2019 Eisteddfod Crown designer

Thursday 2 August 2018

A jeweller from North Wales has been chosen as the designer who will create the Crown for next year’s National Eisteddfod in Llanrwst.

Fledgling businesses and start-ups are being given the opportunity to get on the right track

Thursday 19 July 2018

A rundown former railway building on the walkway at Meliden, Prestatyn, is undergoing a £1.2 million revamp, transforming the empty building into a hub with a shop, café, heritage, bike hire facility, and business units.

Grŵp Cynefin scoops a prestigious award for tackling loneliness in the elderly

Tuesday 10 July 2018

Grŵp Cynefin has won a prestigious award recently, in a competition which was open to all social housing providers across Wales, for its pioneering work to tackle loneliness in elderly people.

A slice of Victorian history discovered within a rundown railway shed

Wednesday 4 July 2018

Builders working on the former Meliden goods shed on the Prestatyn to Dyserth walkway got more than they bargained for when they began taking up the old floor. Hidden underneath were perfectly preserved old glass drinking bottles.

Grŵp Cynefin’s Pen Llŷn enterprise centre goes from strength to strength

Tuesday 3 July 2018

Two new companies will soon move into Grŵp Cynefin’s successful enterprise centre, in Pen Llŷn during the next few weeks.

Housing association shortlisted at national social housing awards

Monday 25 June 2018

A North Wales housing association is celebrating a record number of nominations at a prestigious industry awards.

Grŵp Cynefin takes lead by specifying Welsh timber for Welsh homes

Thursday 21 June 2018

Grŵp Cynefin housing association is showing leadership in the development of local supply chains by specifying indigenous timber for a new housing development.

Pioneering Caring Dads programme that prevents children going into care set to launch

Wednesday 13 June 2018

A pioneering voluntary scheme that helps fathers re-build positive relationships with their children who are affected by domestic abuse is expanding into Conwy and Denbighshire.

Fresh new scheme takes holistic approach to help people with complex multiple support needs

Tuesday 12 June 2018

People with multiple support needs due to issues such as hoarding, substance misuse, a background of offending, low-level learning disability or may have mental health needs, can now benefit from an innovative ‘floating’ housing related support service.

Design ideas sought for 2019 Conwy County National Eisteddfod crown

Wednesday 30 May 2018

North Wales and north Powys housing association, Grŵp Cynefin, is looking for a designer to create the 2019 Conwy County National Eisteddfod crown.

Holyhead homes almost ready for local families to move into

Wednesday 23 May 2018

Grŵp Cynefin’s new chief executive has returned to a completed development she was instrumental in commissioning in her former role as head of housing at Anglesey Council.

New affordable homes register to help people secure their dream home

Friday 18 May 2018

Would-be homeowners and tenants in North Wales and Powys are being urged to join a new online affordable housing register to increase their chances of securing their dream home.

Young and old come together at Grŵp Cynefin event

Thursday 3 May 2018

An innovative scheme from a North Wales housing association is helping enrich elderly people’s lives.

Work begins on developing Pentre Canol, the extra care housing scheme for older people in Denbigh

Thursday 26 April 2018

The construction of a brand new extra care housing scheme for older people in Denbighshire, begins this week (23 April) in the centre of Denbigh.

Local builders merchant donate products and labour to refurb garden

Tuesday 24 April 2018

A trio of Anglesey businesses, Jewsons, Mona Precast and Grays Waste, came to the rescue when asked to donate products and labour force to help renovate the garden of a terminally ill service users with J. Williams Contractors, North Wales Plant Hire and Jewson, Tool Hire Llangefni supplying the tool hire.

Youth Shedz

Monday 16 April 2018

A new initiative, Youth Shedz, which aims to provide a safe place for young people, to proactively engage and develop new skills is due to open its doors in Denbigh this month.

Board member urges first-time would-be directors to apply for Grŵp Cynefin vacancy

Monday 9 April 2018

A call has gone out for people with an interest in the housing sector, who also have business experience, to apply for a vacancy on the board of Grŵp Cynefin housing association.

Great investment for local housing in the village of Cemaes

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Work has begun to develop much needed homes in an Anglesey community during recent weeks.

CIH Cymru and Grŵp Cynefin welcome Minister to the first in a series roundtable discussions

Monday 19 March 2018

The Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Rebecca Evans AM, will attend a roundtable discussion at Grŵp Cynefin offices in Holyhead on 15 March.

Right to Buy abolished in Wales

Friday 16 March 2018

The right of housing association tenants to buy or acquire their home will end on 26th January 2019.

Walis George career highlights on the eve of his retirement as Grŵp Cynefin Chief Executive

Monday 12 March 2018

After 26 years working in the north Wales housing sector, Walis George, Chief Executive of Grŵp Cynefin housing association will retire from office this month.

Housing association’s fuel poverty work wins trio of commendations

Thursday 15 February 2018

Work by energy wardens to help combat fuel poverty in North Wales has received a trio of commendations.

Grŵp Cynefin names new chief executive

Tuesday 30 January 2018

A former bank clerk whose career took off after she changed course because she wanted to work with people and help improve lives, is to be the next chief executive of Grŵp Cynefin.

New director eager to help north Wales communities

Monday 22 January 2018

The new Grŵp Cynefin Director of Regeneration Services, Dylan Roberts, is looking forward to helping local people and their communities as part of his new role with the housing association.

Marc works with the stars on Snowdonia film set

Thursday 4 January 2018

A Grŵp Cynefin tenant recently spent a week on set in Snowdonia with some of Wales’ greatest actors filming a national new TV drama series.

New Denbighshire homes meet local demand for quality housing

Monday 18 December 2017

There is celebration for families in Denbighshire, as twelve new homes have been allocated to local people in Llangollen, thanks to a local lettings policy.

Much-needed area office increases investment in Denbigh town to £15.2m

Tuesday 14 November 2017

Staff, Board Members and other stakeholders came together to celebrate the latest investment by Grŵp Cynefin in Denbigh town centre.

Film set skills and training on offer to the unemployed, with help from Grŵp Cynefin

Monday 23 October 2017

Ffilm Cymru Wales’ Foot in the Door scheme is offering unemployed people of all ages in North Wales a chance to gain valuable skills on the set of a major new TV series shortly to start filming in Snowdonia.

Abuse survivor thanks Gorwel for ‘incredible’ work

Wednesday 11 October 2017

A domestic abuse survivor has paid a moving tribute to a north Wales women’s refuge service for its ‘incredible’ work helping turn her life around.

Consent to demolish former school buildings at Middle Lane, Denbigh

Wednesday 13 September 2017

Grŵp Cynefin very much welcomes today’s decision by Denbighshire County Council’s Planning Committee to allow the demolition of existing buildings on the former Middle Lane School site. This is a significant milestone in the project to provide much needed extra care housing for older people in Denbigh.

National award for a former homeless Denbighshire youngster

Monday 11 September 2017

A young woman from Denbighshire who transformed her life with support from Gorwel, is celebrating winning a national award at a star-studded event in Cardiff.

Pioneering scheme to help older people continue to live at home is already bearing fruit

Monday 24 July 2017

Help to regain contact with an estranged family, and support to rebuild finances following three heart attacks, have both been hailed as early success stories of a pioneering older person’s service for Anglesey, officially launched today.

Community support for Porthmadog

Tuesday 18 July 2017

Several organisations and community groups in Gwynedd area celebrating after receiving financial support from a Grŵp Cynefin £20,000 fund. It is part of its community support agreement to assist local residents as part of its new extra care housing development, Hafod y Gest, in Porthmadog.

Hard working Grŵp Cynefin staff praised for their commitment

Wednesday 17 May 2017

Employees of housing association Grŵp Cynefin have been praised for their high standards of work and commitment to providing the best service possible for customers.

Gorwel and South Gwynedd Domestic Abuse Service merge today

Friday 31 March 2017

Today, the 31st of March 2017, Gorwel and South Gwynedd Domestic Abuse Service merge as part of Grŵp Cynefin.

Robart, 21 and Gwen, 20, buy first home thanks to new partnership to boost rural housing

Thursday 23 March 2017

An innovative housing partnership is helping a young couple to buy their first home together.

Green light for Middle Lane extra care scheme

Friday 17 March 2017

Members of Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee have given the green light to build 70 extra care apartments on the Middle Lane site in Denbigh.

Music project bridges the generations, as young children and older people join forces to perform

Monday 6 March 2017

An innovative north Wales music project bringing young children to enjoy music sessions with older people in their 70s, 80s and 90s living at a Gwynedd extra care scheme has proved a huge success.

Gorwel - protecting north Wales domestic violence support, homelessness and older people services

Thursday 2 February 2017

From the first of April, two important services will unite under Grŵp Cynefin’s management to protect frontline services in rural Wales.

#rural17: Spotlight on Rural Housing

Monday 23 January 2017

Community Housing Cymru’s Rural Housing Conference on 26 January is our opportunity to demonstrate what we are doing as housing providers in Wales.

Food manufacturer praises rural enterprise centre for keeping jobs locally

Monday 23 January 2017

The founder of a yogurt and dessert manufacturing business whose products are sold in Tesco and ASDA has praised a rural enterprise centre for enabling her business to grow.

Grŵp Cynefin celebrates investment of over £10m in affordable rural homes in just three years

Monday 23 January 2017

North Wales’ main provider of new affordable homes in rural communities today celebrated having invested over £10m in new rural homes since April 2014.

PCC Arfon Jones visits innovative scheme supporting young people in Denbigh

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones recently visited HWB Dinbych, a £2.2m scheme managed by Grŵp Cynefin.

Announcement of new Denbigh office name, Tŷ John Glyn, a testimony to Wales’ housing sector champion

Thursday 24 November 2016

Grŵp Cynefin is delighted to announce that its new area office in Denbigh is to be named: ‘Tŷ John Glyn’ in honour of one of Wales’ most prominent housing sector champions.

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children praises Conwy and Denbighshire Care and Repair

Monday 14 November 2016

During a special visit to see Conwy and Denbighshire Care and Repair team, Carl Sargeant AM and Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children has officially opened the charity’s new offices at St Asaph Business Park in Denbighshire.

Goods shed visitor and enterprise centre conversion celebrates £1.1m lottery funding

Tuesday 25 October 2016

A £1.1m lottery grant has been awarded to a scheme aiming to turn a redundant goods shed into a heritage and enterprise centre.

Affordable housing manager invites people to register their interest in affordable homes schemes acr

Thursday 6 October 2016

Former Gwynedd Council housing strategy officer Catrin Roberts has joined Grŵp Cynefin as its affordable homes manager.

Penrhyndeudraeth families open their environmentally friendly homes to local politicians

Thursday 15 September 2016

Two local politicians felt honoured to be invited to visit and see tenants’ new environmentally friendly and affordable homes at Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd recently.

Cost-cutting energy warden Sandra is named a UK Heat Hero

Tuesday 6 September 2016

The tens of thousands of pounds she has helped householders cut from their fuel bills, has led a Caernarfon community energy warden to the House of Commons.

Bats come home to roost on new affordable homes site in Denbighshire

Monday 25 July 2016

A primary school in Denbighshire has visited an affordable homes development to see how Grŵp Cynefin housing association is working around a colony of bats on the site.

Domestic abuse programme that helps fathers rebuild relationships with children launches in Gwynedd

Wednesday 20 July 2016

A voluntary scheme on Anglesey that helps fathers re-build positive relationships with their children who are affected by domestic abuse is to be rolled out across Gwynedd.

Politicians praise progress on extra care housing for Porthmadog

Wednesday 8 June 2016

AN MP and a county councillor have praised the progress being made on construction of Porthmadog’s new £8.5m extra care housing scheme.

Regulatory Assessment

Friday 27 May 2016

The Welsh Ministers have powers to regulate Registered Social Landlords (Housing Associations) in Wales in relation to the provision of housing and matters relating to governance and financial management.

Families praise initiative bringing affordable new homes to the heart of their community

Monday 23 May 2016

An initiative launched by a partnership of housing associations, local councils and a national park authority is helping to deliver affordable housing and tackle poverty in rural areas.

Gardening Competition

Wednesday 18 May 2016

As the summer approaches it will be time again to start mowing the lawns and watering the flower beds – why not get recognition for all this hard work and enter our gardening competition?

New extra care scheme partnership in Denbighshire

Monday 9 May 2016

Denbighshire County Council has agreed to an exciting new partnership with Grŵp Cynefin to develop an extra care scheme on the Middle Lane School site in Denbigh.

£25,000 investment boosts hopes for pioneering hydro electric scheme

Tuesday 26 April 2016

RESIDENTS in Dyffryn Ogwen are a step closer to generating electricity on their doorsteps thanks to a substantial investment from Grŵp Cynefin.

Energy Wardens wins Feel the Heat Awards 2016

Monday 14 March 2016

Our innovative project which helps residents in North Wales save money on their energy bills as well as providing training and employment opportunities for local people has won top prize in the Feel the Heat Awards 2016.

Innovative supported housing in Harlech making a real difference to individual lives

Monday 22 February 2016

A new supported housing scheme in Harlech is making a real difference to individuals with learning disabilities who are finding their independence for the very first time.

Minister visits life-changing Denbighshire community facility

Thursday 18 February 2016

Welsh Government Minister Ken Skates visited a life-changing project that is outperforming its target of getting Denbighshire people back into work thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

Grŵp Cynefin becomes first North Wales housing association to win sight loss support award

Monday 16 November 2015

Grŵp Cynefin is the first housing association in North Wales to receive a prestigious award from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Conwy and Denbighshire Care & Repair agency officially launched by Minister

Tuesday 13 October 2015

Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty has officially launched the newly merged Conwy and Denbighshire Care & Repair agency.

New café tenant is latest to open venture at successful enterprise centre

Thursday 24 September 2015

A successful Gwynedd enterprise centre has welcomed its latest tenant, bringing the number of jobs associated with the venture over the last four years to 70 people.

Innovative Caring Dads support programme returns on Anglesey

Tuesday 4 August 2015

An innovative voluntary programme that helps Anglesey fathers re-build positive relationships with their children has returned.

Work begins to construct brand new Grŵp Cynefin Denbigh office

Friday 17 July 2015

Construction work is under way on a brand new area office for Grŵp Cynefin, reaffirming the housing association’s commitment to support and invest in communities such as the Vale of Clwyd.

One contact number as Care & Repair agencies in Conwy and Denbighshire merge

Wednesday 1 July 2015

From 1 July 2015, the Care & Repair agencies in Conwy and Denbighshire will officially merge. The new agency, which offers a free home visiting service enabling older people to remain living independently in their own homes is a subsidiary of Grŵp Cynefin housing association.

New finance chief aims to support tenants through changes to Universal Credit

Wednesday 24 June 2015

The newly appointed head of finance at Grŵp Cynefin will work with the company’s housing and communities team to manage the impact of the incoming Universal Credit.

Going it alone – new board game mirrors real life issues facing young people

Tuesday 23 June 2015

A brand new board game has been launched which highlights the realities of independent living for young people in north Wales. The game has been developed by young people who have had real life experience of the difficulties of independent living and homelessness.

Crime tsar praises project that helps youngsters at risk of homelessness

Thursday 28 May 2015

Crime tsar Winston Roddick praised a project that helps youngsters at risk of homelessness.

Affordable homes open day

Wednesday 27 May 2015

People interested in buying an affordable home at a new housing development near Bangor are invited to an open day.

Single Housing Registers in Conwy and Flintshire

Tuesday 26 May 2015

The way that you apply for social housing and how homes are allocated in Conwy and Flintshire has changed.

Tribute to John Glyn Jones

Wednesday 13 May 2015

We're saddened by the news of the passing of John Glyn Jones.

Grŵp Cynefin’s HWB Dinbych comes home with prestigious UK Housing Award 2015

Monday 27 April 2015

Grŵp Cynefin housing association is delighted to bring home to Wales a UK award for their innovative community facility, HWB Dinbych.

Care & Repair agencies in Conwy and Denbighshire working together

Wednesday 1 April 2015

From 1 April, the Care & Repair agency in Conwy will become a subsidiary of Grŵp Cynefin.

Celebrating our First Birthday

Wednesday 1 April 2015

On 1 April 2014, two of North Wales’ leading housing associations merged to form Grŵp Cynefin. 12 months on, join us as we celebrate our first anniversary.

Grŵp Cynefin makes £4.5m investment in new homes tailor made for four Anglesey communities

Thursday 26 March 2015

Grŵp Cynefin is investing £4.5m in 40 new homes tailored to meet the needs of four Anglesey communities.

Grwp Cynefin’s HWB shortlisted for prestigious UK Housing Award

Tuesday 17 March 2015

Innovative community facility HWB Dinbych has been shortlisted for a prestigious UK award.

Denbigh residents show off HWB to Welsh Government Minister for Communities

Friday 13 February 2015

The Welsh Government’s Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty has met with Denbigh residents that have benefitted from an innovative new community space in the town centre.

£1.6m housing project transforms family life in Meirionnydd

Monday 2 February 2015

Tenants at a new £1.6m housing development built by Grŵp Cynefin say that their lives have been transformed by the new properties.

Denbigh comes together to officially open HWB Dinbych

Monday 17 November 2014

Members of the Denbigh community have joined forces to officially open the new HWB Dinbych building on Smithfield Road.

Denbigh HWB development up for top housing award

Tuesday 4 November 2014

An innovative new development that provides educational and employment opportunities for the Denbigh community is in the running for a national housing award.

New members appointed to Grŵp Cynefin board

Thursday 30 October 2014

Grŵp Cynefin has appointed three new members to its Board of Management.

Plans submitted for new Porthmadog extra care facility

Monday 6 October 2014

Anglesey domestic abuse programme aims to help fathers rebuild relationships with children

Monday 15 September 2014

An innovative voluntary scheme on Anglesey is helping fathers re-build positive relationships with their children who are affected by domestic abuse.

Work starts on Grŵp Cynefin’s first development

Thursday 4 September 2014

Construction work is under way on the first development of properties for recently formed housing association Grŵp Cynefin.

Housing minister digs in with social enterprise supporting elderly people across Denbighshire.

Wednesday 30 July 2014

The Welsh Government Minister for Housing and Regeneration has visited a Denbighshire woman whose home and life has been brightened up by a gardening support social enterprise.