Speaking in Parliament today, Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies revealed that thanks to the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund, a new Rhyl-based charity can now support 20 more homeless mothers and babies.
Blossom and Bloom was established in November 2020 by husband and wife team Lee Millard and Vicky Welsman-Millard to provide support to homeless, or potentially homeless, mums and babies living in Denbighshire.
The charity is one of 14 projects in Denbighshire to benefit from the Community Renewal Fund, and questioning the Secretary of State for Wales in the House of Commons today, James spoke of how the funding has helped the charity extend their services.
He said:
“Two weeks ago, £2.9 million was announced from the community renewal fund for 14 projects in Denbighshire, including Blossom & Bloom, a charity in Rhyl that can now support 20 more mothers and babies.
“Of course, the Community Renewal Fund is there to help communities prepare for the introduction of the Shared Prosperity Fund. Will he outline what discussions he is having about that fund and whether capital, as well as revenue, will be available?”
The Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart MP, replied:
“My hon. Friend raises a very good question, and I hope he will take into account that we are looking at the Levelling-up Fund, the Community Renewal Fund and the Community Ownership Fund, as well as the Shared Prosperity Fund, in the round, and other potential funding proposals, too. When he sees the detail, I hope he will see that we address both capital and revenue.”
Speaking afterwards, James said:
"This and future funding will provide areas, including the Vale of Clwyd, with the opportunity to not only level up, but to thrive.
“The Community Renewal Fund will make a huge difference and I am pleased that Blossom and Bloom are one of the 14 recipients of the fund in Denbighshire.
“This fantastic charity welcomed their first mums and babies experiencing homelessness into their emergency accommodation units in May last year. Since that time, the service has developed rapidly, and they are now able to offer outreach support to mums and babies who are at risk of homelessness or find themselves in need of well-being support, advice or guidance. The money from the Community Renewal Fund enables them to extend this vital work.
“I thank Lee and Vicky for establishing the charity and commend them and their team for all they have done and continue to do for these vulnerable mothers and their babies.”
