Libanus Lifestyle: Fostering Health and Well-being in Blackwood and Surrounding Areas

Libanus Lifestyle, a Community Interest Company, has been significantly contributing to the improvement of health and well-being services in Blackwood and its surrounding areas. By reinvesting profits back into the Libanus Centre, the company has successfully revitalized the once neglected grounds and venue into a thriving community hub, complete with a cafe and garden.

Since its establishment in 2014, the centre has been providing a wide array of health and well-being services, in addition to offering venue hire for meetings, events, and community needs. Through the unwavering dedication of Karen James, her son Sion, and a team of volunteers, the venue has been transformed into an inclusive and welcoming space for the community.

Notably, the centre’s Welcoming Space, which is funded by the Caerphilly County Borough Council, has significantly contributed to its success. Furthermore, the centre has also hosted a successful weekly lunch club, funded by CCBC’s Community Empowerment Fund, underscoring its commitment to uplifting the local community.

Through collaborations with partner organizations and community groups, Libanus Lifestyle offers a diverse range of activities and services, including poetry workshops supported by Literature Wales and the use of the venue by family support teams and the youth service. Libanus Lifestyle has thus become an essential space for various community initiatives and projects in the area.

In a significant milestone, Libanus Lifestyle received a substantial grant of £25,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with support from Caerphilly County Borough Council. This grant, which was also matched funded, was used to replace the roof of their premises, resulting in significant savings on heating costs and the conversion of the attic into a usable space.

Karen James expressed her gratitude for the support received, highlighting the invaluable assistance from Caerphilly Council in simplifying the grant application process. She emphasized that the funding has not only made the centre more sustainable but also positioned it to provide long-term benefits to the community.

Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change, commended the positive impact of the investment, acknowledging the hard work of the team at Libanus Lifestyle in making a tangible difference in the community.

For business support inquiries about the centre, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the Business Enterprise Renewal Team at Tredomen House, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7WF, via email at [email protected], or by calling 01443 866220.

Libanus Lifestyle stands as a testament to the transformative power of community initiatives, and its dedication to health and well-being in Blackwood continues to have a meaningful impact on the lives of local residents.