A COMMUNITY centre in Penley has received an award, highlighting the work it does in the third sector.

The Penley Rainbow Centre has recently achieved the PQASSO Quality Mark award recognising the excellent work it does in serving members of the community.

The centre operates from a community wellbeing hub in Penley, as well as within GP surgeries across Wrexham, to promote better health and wellbeing and tackle loneliness and isolation.

PQASSO is part of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and is the only UK quality standard designed to help third sector organisations operate more effectively and efficiently. The Rainbow Centre was assessed against the 11 standards of effective practice in PQASSO, including in governance, leadership and management, managing staff and volunteers and managing money, and proved to meet all standards.

Caroline Tudor-James, chief officer of the Rainbow Centre, said the award confirms to her that the centre was moving in a positive direction.

"This award confirms that we have robust systems and procedures in place to govern, manage and deliver our services to a wide range of people," said Caroline.

"And supporting them to take positive steps to improve their health and wellbeing.

"Our team of trustees, staff and volunteers continue to work hard to deliver high standards throughout the organisation and I am delighted that we now have national recognition of this.

"The centre is often the first point of contact for older people in our community when they are trying to access services or deal with change."

At the core of the centre is the day opportunities service which supports people to remain living independently within their community.

They also run activities from the centre, which are open to everyone, including a community café and garden, an art group, gentleman’s brunch club, knit and natter, pilates, yoga, craft sessions, community choir, as well as a team of community agents supporting residents across south Wrexham.

Nadeem Razvi, PQASSO programme manager, NCVO, said he was delighted for the Rainbow Centre.

"We are delighted for the trustees, staff and volunteers of the Rainbow Centre that they have achieved the PQASSO Quality Mark," said Nadeem.

"We know that organisations using PQASSO benefit by having better governance, better systems and procedures and better quality of services for their users and it is great that the community of PQASSO users in Wales is growing."