Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Visits North Wales Housing
North Wales Housing (NWH) was pleased to welcome the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, to its Llandudno Junction Head office, last week.
Jayne Bryant MS was joined on her visit by Cllr Emily Owen, Conwy Council Member for Housing, Homelessness and Service Transformation, and Lisa Roberts, Homeless Prevention Officer from Conwy Borough Council, to hear about North Wales Housing’s unique Tŷ Gwenllian scheme.
The Cabinet Secretary’s visit was organised to give her an insight into how Housing Support Grant funding, for which she is directly responsible, is being spent locally.
It part funds Tŷ Gwenllian along with UK Government Community Accommodation Service Tier 3 funding. The house is the first and only supported housing provision in Wales, specifically supporting women leaving prison or women who have experience of the criminal justice system.
In collaboration with North Wales Housing, the project is supported by Conwy County Borough Council Housing Support Grant Team. Conwy Housing Solutions, Probation Teams, CMHT (Community Mental Health Team), SMS (Substance Misuse Service), and the North Wales Women’s Centre.
One of the residents from Tŷ Gwenllian, joined a round table discussion to share her own personal experiences, and told the project has changed her life for the better.
The Cabinet Secretary was also hosted by the residents of Ty Gwenllian for a short visit to discuss the project and the impact it is having on their lives.
“I was deeply moved by my visit to Tŷ Gwenllian, where I heard powerful, personal testimonies from women whose lives have been transformed through the support they’ve received. I’d like to thank all the women I met for bravely sharing their stories with me.
The success of projects like this really demonstrates the value of our Housing Support Grant and I’m proud that we’ve increased funding this financial year to provide even more support to people experiencing homelessness.”
Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant
The visit was arranged by Conwy Councillor, Emily Owen
“Tŷ Gwenllian is a ground-breaking project that reflects what can be achieved when local authorities, housing providers, and support services work together with purpose and compassion.
I was proud to help arrange this visit and show the Cabinet Secretary how this funding is making a real difference to women’s lives here in Conwy.
The success of Tŷ Gwenllian proves that with the right support, people can break the cycle of offending and move forward with a hopeful future.”
Cllr Owen
“It was a good opportunity for us to showcase the work we do here.
The project has so far supported 5 women and all of them have shown improvements in managing their day-to-day lives and increasing independence.
80% of the residents have told us there has been improvement in their wellbeing and mental health after receiving support and all reported feeling safer and settled in their accommodation.
The key message for the Cabinet Secretary to take back to Cardiff Bay and the First Minister was clear: Housing Support Grant funding doesn’t just improve lives – it saves lives.
That’s why it’s vital that this funding is protected, increased, and strengthened for the future.”
Head of Supported Housing for NWH, Osian Elis
None of the 5 residents were recalled to custody or reoffended during their time with the service.
The success of Ty Gwenllian has informed plans by North Wales Housing to replicate provision for men leaving prison. A suitable property has already been identified to take this forward.
