Thrive South Wales
Supporting confidence, skills, and stability across South Wales
Thrive South Wales was a community project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, delivering practical, inclusive support to people across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly.
The project focused on helping individuals who were experiencing financial stress, low confidence, or barriers to training to build skills, increase independence, and feel more in control of their futures.
What the Project Delivered
At the heart of Thrive South Wales was our Make My Money Work financial literacy programme. Many participants joined the project feeling anxious about money, overwhelmed by bills, or unsure where to start.
Financial Wellbeing and Confidence
Through calm, supportive sessions, participants were able to:
- Build confidence managing day-to-day finances
- Better understand budgeting, bills, and financial choices
- Reduce stress linked to money worries
- Plan ahead with greater confidence
Participants consistently told us they felt more informed, more in control, and less anxious about their finances.
Practical Training With Real-World Impact
Alongside financial wellbeing support, Thrive South Wales provided training with immediate, practical benefits for individuals and their communities. This included:
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW), giving people the confidence to respond in medical emergencies at home, work, or in the community
- Level 2 Food Safety in Catering, supporting employment, volunteering, and community food roles
- Health and safety training such as COSHH, manual handling, and CSCS training
- Employability-related training, including customer service and digital skills
Removing Barriers to Participation
To make training accessible, the project provided practical support alongside learning, including:
- Funded training and course fees
- Essential employability qualifications (such as CSCS and DVSA support)
- Supermarket vouchers to reduce financial pressure
This ensured people who may otherwise have been excluded were able to take part.
Impact on Individuals and Communities
The Thrive South Wales project supported over 110 households, creating positive outcomes that extended beyond individuals. The project:
- Increased financial confidence and wellbeing
- Built essential life and employability skills
- Supported safer homes, workplaces, and communities
- Reduced isolation and increased confidence
- Strengthened community resilience
By supporting individuals, Thrive South Wales contributed to more informed, confident, and resilient communities across South Wales.
Our Thanks
We are grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players for making Thrive South Wales possible.
Their support enabled us to deliver meaningful, practical help where it was most needed — helping people gain skills, confidence, and greater control over their lives.