Barry Neighbourhoods Programme
Barry’s 10-Year Plan for a Brighter Future
Barry has been awarded up to £2 million per year over the next decade through the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods. This investment will tackle local challenges, improve quality of life, and support residents to shape their town’s future.
As part of the Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods, the Barry Neighbourhoods Board has been set up to oversee how the investment is used.
The five action groups developing ideas and projects
To support the Barry Neighbourhoods Board, five action groups have been set up to focus on different themes. The action groups members are local residents and business owners, all people who are volunteering to help their town.
Safer Barry
Safe streets, parks and public spaces
Safer Barry
Led by Chief Superintendent Marc Attwell, the Safer Barry action group will work with youth leaders, the Youth Offending Service, the Police and third sector to develop a programme of activities aimed at preventing anti-social behaviour and reducing re-offending in Barry.
The group will identify public spaces in Barry that people feel are unsafe and develop project proposals to improve these spaces.
Vibrant Barry
Breathing new life into Barry’s places to shop, work and enjoy
Vibrant Barry
Led by Fay Blakeley, a small business owner in Barry, the Vibrant Barry action group will work with traders, community groups and residents to develop projects which focus on having great places to shop, work and enjoy in Barry. This will include improvements to Barry’s high streets, neighbourhood hubs and public spaces.
Barry Futures
New jobs, training and skills
Barry Futures
Led by Innes Robinson, Executive Headteacher of Whitmore High School and Pencoedtre High School, the Barry Futures action group will work with businesses and training providers to identify what skills are needed and to deliver training. The action group will support local businesses to grow and create good jobs in Barry.
Barry Thriving Communities
United neighbourhoods building stronger communities
Barry Thriving Communities
The Barry Thriving Communities action group is led by Joe Castle. It will focus on working with communities and the third sector on a range of projects that are important to residents such as accessing services, healthy eating, mental health and neurodiversity, getting people involved through volunteering, and supporting community groups.
Barry Together
Celebrating community through culture, art, food and sport
Barry Together
The Barry Together action group is led by Matt Blumberg, owner of Mack Events which runs Glastonbarry. The action group will work with venues and people who run events in Barry to identify how Barry’s existing venues can be improved, and how to support more community events and activities.
Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Action Groups
However, if you have a great idea you want to share, or are interested in joining an action group in the future, we want to hear from you. You don’t need any qualifications to join, you need to be enthusiastic and passionate about Barry, with creative ideas and the determination to make them happen. An ideal group member will have personal experience and understanding of the issues the action group is focusing on, either through their personal life or through work. Use the Contact us page to get in touch.
Have a great idea but don’t have the time to join an action group?
If you are unable to join an action group but have suggestions you want to share, we want to hear from you. Use the Contact us page to tell us your ideas.
About the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods
Barry is one of 75 areas in the UK to be awarded £2 million per year over a decade from the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods.
The aim is to ‘fix the foundations of those places most left behind.’
The Barry Neighbourhoods Board and the five action groups will be guided by what residents and businesses have told us about their priorities. We are listening to what people say and are drawing from a lot of good, recent information, for example the community engagement and survey for the Barry Placemaking Plan. Rather than repeat that work, we will use that information as a great starting point.
The five action groups will consider the issues relating to their areas and the ideas that have already been suggested, consider new ideas, and come up with a plan for what to focus on in the first 4 years. The Barry Neighbourhoods Board will review the overall plan and submit it to the UK Government for approval.