Llwyddo’n Lleol have announced the names of the families that have been successful in their Ymgartrefu initiative. The scheme provides financial and practical support to people who wish to return to their communities in Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Sir Gâr. The programme provides support of up to £5,000 to assist families with transportation, housing and childcare costs with a number of successful applicants having already returned.
The programme is part of a wider drive by Llwyddo’n Lleol to promote the idea of returning to ARFOR communities by emphasising the advantages of these areas as good places to live and work. Llwyddo’n Lleol’s hope is that sharing the stories of those that have taken part in the scheme will inspire others to take the step of moving home.
As part of this promotional work, Llwyddo’n Lleol have shared the stories of some of those that have been successful in their grant application. Among these are Annest and Samman, who met in Thailand after Annest moved there in 2013. They now have a son, and they were keen to return to Gwynedd in order for him to be raised in Wales and benefit from the richness of the Welsh language and it’s culture.
In a statement, Annest said:
“This support has made the decision so much easier”
“We’re excited to be coming home and so grateful to Llwyddo’n Lleol for making it possible.”
“It means a lot to be able to give back to the community that shaped me. I want Arwyn to have the same opportunities I had growing up — to speak Welsh every day and to be part of a strong, supportive community.”
Lea and Simon have spent the last decade living in Crewe in England. Lea had wanted to return to Wales for some time. Simon, who is from England originally, has learnt Welsh in order to raise their children through the medium of Welsh. Having received support from the Ymgartrefu initiative they intend to move to Ceredigion.
“We always knew we wanted to raise our family in Wales,” said Lea.
“This is where our roots are, and with this support, we can finally make that dream a reality.”
She added, “We wanted our children to grow up surrounded by Welsh, just like I did. Seeing them have that opportunity now is something really special.”
While discussing the project and the importance of the Ymgartrefu initiative, Aled Pritchard, Project Officer for Llwyddo’n Lleol said:
“We know that so many young people want to return, but practical barriers hold them back. The Ymgartrefu initiative is helping to remove those obstacles, proving that moving home isn’t just a dream but a viable reality with the right support. Seeing these families take the step to return home is incredible.”
Alongside Annest and Saman, and Lea and Simon, the following families have also been successful in their applications to receive support:
- Helen and Guto Llywelyn – Moving from Cardiff to Ceredigion with their young daughter. Both work in the television industry.
- Catherine Peake and Matt Keeves – Returning to Gwynedd from Derby. Matt will work in Llanberis while Catherine continues her research in renewable energy.
- Eleri and Edward Powell – Moving from Neath Port Talbot to Carmarthenshire with their son and a baby on the way.
- Jeno and Gwyn – Returning to Carmarthenshire after a period in Cardiff, with Gwyn starting a new teaching job in the region.
- Dr Glyn and Dr Sophie Morries – Previously based in Scotland, they have now returned to Carmarthenshire, where they run a training, evaluation, and consultancy business in public engagement.
For more information about the Ymgartrefu initiative, and to learn more about Llwyddo’n Lleol’s wider work, follow this link to their website.
