Crickhowell Resource & Information Centre

CRiC Project

Background

The construction of The Crickhowell Resource & Information Centre was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Powys County Council, The Local Regeneration fund, The Welsh Development Agency and the Tourism Partnership Mid Wales, resulting in a thoroughly modern, fully accessible community information centre. The aim of the centre is to promote local economic diversification, and support community efforts to become more vibrant and enterprising. In addition to benefiting visitors to the area, the centre will benefit the local communities of Crickhowell, Llangattock, Llangynidr, Vale of Grwyney, Bwlch, Cwmddu and Tretower.

Delivery

The centre is run on a day to day basis by qualified managers and appropriately trained volunteers. The centre houses up-to-date computer facilities, office services, facilities for other helping agencies to serve the community, conference and meeting rooms, training facilities, coffee bar, tourist information, the local volunteer bureau, the local archive centre, an art and craft gallery promoting local artists.  Public conveniences are an integral part of the building.

Outcomes

Through the maximisation of information, communication and technology (ICT) the centre provides:

• help to existing businesses to exploit ICT and to use new technology more efficiently;


• advice and support - ranging from basic computer skills to more advanced techniques - to those members of the community who are disadvantaged through isolation, peripherality, disability, age or gender;


• support to other charities and community groups to use ICT to benefit and to promote their organisations;


• visitors with access to email and the internet;


• access to web-sites that promote the area;


• a Crickhowell web-site which will help local businesses and organisations and which will act as an exemplar to help others in setting-up web-sites.


• a central point of information for local accommodation providers;


• active promotion of the region and work with other tourism agencies to maintain a sustainable tourism programme for the area;


• display and promotion of the work of local arts and craftspeople


• space for businesses and groups to meet, and is suitable for counselling sessions