A fresh workshop facility is being arranged for the Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community, offering a custom-designed area for do-it-yourself projects, artistic pursuits and handmade crafts.

The venue hosts numerous community programmes such as sessions for parents with infants, health and exercise classes, and pastimes tailored for senior citizens.

The premises once operated as the original Caerphilly Miners Hospital before Katherine Hughes spearheaded a community campaign that rescued the site from disposal for residential development by the health authority.

In recent times the centre has evolved into a hub of neighbourhood engagement, gaining such popularity that certain activities can no longer be adequately housed within the present structure.

Proposals for a purpose-built recreational area positioned behind the miners centre have received endorsement from Caerphilly County Borough Council planning staff, complete with dedicated workbenches for horticulturists and other guests.

The wooden-clad construction, partially financed through National Lottery funding, is earmarked for completion ahead of a September launch.

Sophie Davies, the centre’s business manager, explained that the workshop will offer an additional educational platform for individuals acquiring varied abilities, as well as premises for entrepreneurs to develop their enterprises.