SCHEMES to develop Pwllheli’s Citizens Advice Bureau office and a scheme aimed at helping youngsters across Gwynedd to live independently will benefit from funding from the Welsh Government.

Gwynedd CAB and GISDA, which has offices in Pwllheli and Blaenau Ffestiniog, have been awarded funding from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities programme with Cabinet secretary Carl Sargeant saying the money would help provide facilities to house essential services to help prevent and tackle poverty.

Gwynedd CAB will receive £235,000 with GISDA awarded £370,000 out of the Wales-wide programme of over £3.7m.

The money awarded to the CAB will be used to refurbish the Pwllheli office to allow a small call centre to operate at the same time as advice services, as well as a ground floor community room with a disabled toilet and refreshment facilities.

The bid document for the scheme says the development would improve the facility and help improve the service provided across the Llyn Peninsula.

Tal Michael, the chief executive of Gwynedd CAB, said: “This is wonderful news. We are really looking forward to redeveloping our centre to better meet the needs of people on the Llyn peninsula."

GISDA offers support to vulnerable youngsters between the age of 14 and 25 across north Wales and looks to help them improve their lives by developing skills to help them live independently and find employment, as well as help them with their health and self-worth.

The organisation helps to find accommodation and employment for youngsters and also runs a range of social enterprises to offer opportunities to youngsters.

Mr Sargeant said the 13 schemes across Wales that have won funding were vital to helping tackle poverty.

He said: “This funding is not simply about improving buildings. In applying for these grants community organisations have had to demonstrate how the facilities they offer provide vital community services which help prevent or tackle poverty."See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow