This week a Local Charity Champions’ Reception was held in 10 Downing Street for people from throughout the UK who have made exceptional contributions to their local communities through charitable work.
Aberconwy MP Robin Millar was delighted to nominate Rod Williams, the Managing Director of Llandudno Junction based Crest, and to welcome him to Downing Street.
Crest has four shops across North Wales that sell high quality second hand electricals, clothing and furniture. Crest was initially established with one of the very first lottery grants and the aim of the project was to establish a community co-operative, to help disabled and unemployed people increase their skills and gain employment – either within the co-operative or to move on to sustainable employment within the community.
Since 1998 Crest has delivered on its mission of “unlocking people’s potential through inclusion, innovation and enterprise, for the benefit of our community” by helping to provide new skills and opportunities to thousands of people.
Commenting on the nomination and reception, Rod said:
“It was a great privilege to attend this reception at Downing Street. It is outstanding to see that Crest and its continued good work in the community is being noticed and recognised.
“The previous couple of years have proven to be some of the most challenging that our community has ever faced. With the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine and cost of living crisis impacting individuals and families right across our society. Given these challenges I have been immensely proud of the work Crest has undertaken, giving those traditionally overlooked or forgotten an opportunity to develop and enter the workplace or full-time education.
“We continue to put people before profit and ensuring that everyone has the chance to better themselves in a constructive and supportive environment.
“As we embark on a new financial year with increased determination and dedication to those who rely on our services, I was delighted to be able to discuss our work with likeminded charitable organisations and the UK Government Minister. As such, I would like to thank Robin for his kind nomination and providing Crest with this unique opportunity.”
Speaking following the reception, Robin said:
“I was pleased to nominate Rod Williams from Crest in recognition of the great work that they do. Most of all I have been really impressed with their determination to work with people from all parts of our community - those who need a second chance as well as those who don't always get a first chance.
“Rod himself is a veteran and local man, known to many across the community and deeply involved in different groups.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to once again thank Crest for all the good work they do and for the positive impact they are having on so many!”
AS yn croesawu Hyrwyddwr Elusennau Aberconwy i Stryd Downing
Yr wythnos hon, cynhaliwyd Derbyniad Pencampwyr Elusennau Lleol yn 10 Stryd Downing ar gyfer pobl o bob rhan o’r DU sydd wedi gwneud cyfraniadau eithriadol i’w cymunedau lleol drwy waith elusennol.
Roedd Robin Millar, AS Aberconwy, yn falch iawn o enwebu Rod Williams, Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr Crest, menter sydd wedi’i leoli yng Nghyffordd Llandudno, a’i groesawu i Stryd Downing.
Mae gan Crest bedair siop ar draws Gogledd Cymru sy’n gwerthu eitemau trydanol, dillad a dodrefn ail-law o safon uchel. Sefydlwyd Crest yn wreiddiol drwy un o’r grantiau loteri cyntaf un a nod y prosiect oedd sefydlu menter gydweithredol gymunedol, i helpu pobl anabl a di-waith i wella eu sgiliau a chael gwaith – naill ai yn y fenter gydweithredol neu er mwyn symud ymlaen i gyflogaeth gynaliadwy yn y gymuned.
Ers 1998 mae Crest wedi cyflawni ei chenhadaeth o “ddatgloi potensial pobl drwy gynhwysiant, arloesedd a menter, er budd ein cymuned” drwy helpu i roi sgiliau a chyfleoedd newydd i filoedd o bobl.
Wrth sôn am yr enwebiad a’r derbyniad, dywedodd Rod:
“Roedd yn fraint cael dod i’r derbyniad hwn yn Stryd Downing. Mae’n wych gweld bod Crest a’i waith da parhaus yn y gymuned yn cael sylw ac yn cael ei gydnabod.
“Mae’r ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf wedi bod y rhai mwyaf heriol y mae ein cymuned wedi’u hwynebu erioed. Gyda phandemig COVID-19, y rhyfel yn Wcráin a’r argyfwng costau byw yn effeithio ar unigolion a theuluoedd ar draws ein cymdeithas. O gofio'r heriau hyn, rwyf wedi bod yn hynod falch o’r gwaith y mae Crest wedi’i wneud, yn rhoi cyfle i’r rheini sydd, yn draddodiadol, wedi cael eu hanwybyddu neu eu hanghofio i ddatblygu ac ymuno â’r gweithle neu addysg amser llawn.
“Rydyn ni’n parhau i roi pobl o flaen elw ac i sicrhau bod pawb yn cael cyfle i wella eu hunain mewn amgylchedd adeiladol a chefnogol.
“Wrth i ni ddechrau ar flwyddyn ariannol newydd gyda mwy o benderfyniad ac ymroddiad i’r rheini sy’n dibynnu ar ein gwasanaethau, roeddwn yn falch iawn o allu trafod ein gwaith gyda sefydliadau elusennol o’r un anian ac â Gweinidog Llywodraeth y DU. Felly, hoffwn ddiolch i Robin am ei enwebiad caredig ac am roi’r cyfle unigryw hwn i Crest.”
Wrth siarad ar ôl y digwyddiad, dywedodd Robin:
“Roeddwn i’n falch o enwebu Rod Williams o Crest i gydnabod y gwaith gwych maen nhw’n ei wneud. Yn bennaf oll, mae eu penderfyniad i weithio gyda phobl o bob rhan o’n cymuned wedi gwneud argraff fawr arnaf – y rheini sydd angen ail gyfle yn ogystal â’r rheini nad ydynt bob amser yn cael y cyfle cyntaf.
“Mae Rod ei hun yn hen law ac yn ddyn lleol, mae llawer o bobl ledled y gymuned yn ei adnabod ac mae’n ymwneud yn helaeth â gwahanol grwpiau.
“Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i ddiolch unwaith eto i Crest am yr holl waith da maen nhw’n ei wneud ac am yr effaith gadarnhaol maen nhw’n ei chael ar gynifer o bobl!”