Community Spirit finalist: Dyffyrn Tanat YFC, Montgomeryshire
When Dyffryn Tanat were looking at ways to celebrate their 90th anniversary – they wanted to make sure it would have a lasting impact on their whole community.
They launched an ambitious 90 Acts of Kindness campaign with the goal of completing 90 community-focused projects throughout the membership year. These acts of kindness needed to meet a local need and deliver tangible support.
One year on, their 87 members have helped to hit the target and transformed the way YFC is viewed locally.
The idea was championed by Club Chair Elin Lewis.
“I was really honoured to be Club Chair during our 90th year, said Elin. “We always do a Chair’s challenge every year, which is fantastic that we raise money for charities but nothing much is done for the community. Without the community, we wouldn’t be such a strong club, so you always want to look after them.”
While the 90 acts of kindness was a spur of the moment idea, their actions made it more of a ‘movement’ within their community and ultimately raised the profile of the club. Elin launched it by writing to local councils and schools, as well as sharing it across social media and taking part in radio and TV interviews to spread the word.
And word travelled fast. Requests for help poured in, helping the club to plan their projects for maximum impact.
“We didn’t want to do it as a throwaway thing, we wanted to leave a legacy,” explained Elin. “It was about making connections in the village and improving the reputation of YFC. We wanted them to see us for who we are.
“I thought projects would just come in for people involved in YFC but it’s reached people who didn’t know much about YFC and now have had a glimpse into it.”
Among the many acts of kindness, such as cleaning the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday, re-opening an abandoned playground and cutting trees at a local school, Elin has a stand-out favourite.
“We held a coffee morning over Easter, with an egg hunt and egg painting for the children. It was so much fun; paint was everywhere but the parents were so appreciative. You usually go to things like that, and parents expect to pay but we put it on for free and it meant parents got a break while we got down with the children.
“It was such a nice way to connect with people from the community that we hadn’t really talked to before.”
Members have also been reaping the benefits of being involved in the initiative. Senior members have got more involved in the club outside of their usual activities, some have been inspired to volunteer to be part of the Show and Hall committees, and it has given everyone a purpose and a way to connect on a Sunday when the projects are carried out.
“To start with people moaned about doing it on Sundays,” said Elin. “But we found out the more we have done, it has got people out of the house and enjoying being together. Doing smaller, regular projects meant members have made more connections and then been more involved in other club activities too.”
When it comes to creating impact, Elin definitely has a favourite act of kindness. While the club has always been carol singing at Christmas, this time Elin wanted to deliver mince pies too. They baked 250 to hand out in boxes to older people in the community.
“It felt like something so simple, but it really touched people,” said Elin about the mince pie deliveries, which involved spending time talking with some of the older people. “It was such a special moment as it was one of our first big acts of kindness. The reaction to it gave us a push and spurred us on. It really warmed your heart.”
While the challenge has been a true celebration of the club’s 90th year, Elin believes their acts of kindness have changed the way YFC is viewed locally.
“If you’re in YFC, you’re brought up in a community where you help anyway. Now more people know we are here to give support.”
