About Us
Our Values, Our Vision, Our Team, Our Trustees“Communities Count & Individuals Matter”
Welcome To CoStar
CoStar is an independent local charity in the Greenmeadow area of Cwmbran. Formed in 2000 by a small group of residents with a passion to help and develop their community, CoStar was originally located at Blenheim shops but moved to the Threepenny Bit Community Centre in 2012. We are involved in an ever increasing range and diversity of projects. events and activities aimed at developing and supporting the local communities of Greenmeadow, Fairwater, St Dials, Coed Eva and Upper Cwmbran.
Vision & Values
We believe that communities count and individuals matter. Our vision and goal is therefore to: Strengthen and Develop friendships and relationships within our community by:
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- Running projects that seek to improve and enhance the local community
- arranging social events and activities for local residents
Support and Help Individuals through:
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- Helping reduce personal hardship and poverty
- Teaching new skills and interests
- Encouraging people to pursue healthier and more active lifestyles
- Offering support and advice where appropriate and requested.
Our Programme
At CoStar there is something for everyone. Whether you want to learn a new skill, get help or information or simply make new friends, there will be something you can join in. Our programme is about much more than just gaining skills and information. It is about providing help and support and giving people the opportunity to make a contribution to their community. Today it is all too easy for people to be lonely and live in isolation within their own homes. Our goal is to make the Threepenny Bit a vibrant centre of the community where people can come to learn, relax and socialize. We want people to feel a valuable part of of their community and to make a difference.
Meet The Team
Our greatest asset is our team of staff and volunteers. Without their dedication, commitment and enthusiasm CoStar could not function and fulfill our vision. CoStar consists of a small team of staff who are supported by a group of around 30 volunteers.
Lynne Howles
Manager The Threepenny Bit Community Centre
Deb Ball
Admin / Reception
Jill Holder
Community Foodshare Worker
Samantha Lowery
RePaint Enterprise Worker
Meet Our Trustees
CoStar is overseen by a team of dedicated Trustees who give their time and talents to ensure the charity meets its goals. Our trustees have a variety of expertise and experience and work together with staff to keep CoStar running smoothly.
Councillor Phil Seabourne
Chairman
Phil has lived in Fairwater since 1971 when he married and moved from Pontnewynydd to what was then the new Town of Cwmbran. He spent 30 years working at Panteg steelworks and a number of years teaching as a schools swimming teacher as well as coaching the very successful Torfaen Swim Squad for a number of years. Phil has been serving as a Borough Councillor since 2002.
Tom Matthews
Treasurer
Tom spent his working life serving in the armed forces and has been a local Community Councillor for over 10 years. Tom is Governor of his local primary school and takes an active role in many 3rd sector organisations specialising in the elderly and disabled. He has a keen interest in growing, having run his own allotment for many years.
Colette Willis
Board Member
Collette grew up in Torfaen and spent her early working career at Saunders Valves in between bringing up her family. She later worked at County Hospital and Llanfrechfa Grange. Collette is a member of the Pontnewydd Ladies Choir and an active bowls player as well as a member of the West Pontnewydd Community Association.
Rose Seabourne
Board Member
Rose is chair of Governors at Fairwater High School and was previously a long standing Borough Councillor with responsibilities for health, social care and wellbeing and has a wealth of experience around social services and health. Rose’s skills include governance, networking, chairing and committee skills.
Councillor Jeff Rees
Board Member
Jeff grew up in Swansea before settling in Torfaen and is passionate about improving the working and living conditions of those living in Cwmbran. Jeff brings to the Partnership skills around financial management, business and marketing and is a serving borough Councillor.
Evelyn Winfield 1932 – 2017
We are all sad to hear that our friend and colleague Evelyn Winfield has died. She suffered much from poor health over the last years of her life.
Evelyn was Chair of CoStar for many years, she took a great interest in everyone who worked at CoStar and played an important role in building up CoStar.
Evelyn loved her work within the community, she loved to help people and took a joy in helping others.
Evelyn was not a person who was personally ambitious, her aim was always to work for the benefit of others. Everyone who knew Evelyn would have benefitted from her kindness and support, she welcomed everyone into her home as if they were her one of her own family.
All of us at CoStar would like to pass on our condolences on to Evelyn’s family. Evelyn Winfield was a real lady and an example of a selfless and committed human being, she will live on in all who knew and loved her.