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A week after Tesco confirmed the closure of its Cardiff customer service centre, which employs 1,000, an expanding Valleys call centre business is creating 66 new jobs.

Nantgarw-based Connect Assist is to become first service provider in Wales offering an ethical fundraising agency service for charities.

The new service, which which create the jobs over the next 18 months, is backed by £222,600 from the Welsh Government and will enable Connect Assist to launch the service imminently.

The new service for charities will include the provision of emergency appeal response lines and fundraising appeals. It will also handle enquiries around the work that each charity undertakes as well as enquiries around supporting charities.

Connect Assist, was was set up just over a decade ago with the main aim of making a positive difference to people living and working in the Valleys.

Ron Moody, Connect Assist[s client services director said: ” We are delighted to be launching this much needed ethical fundraising service.

Having worked with the charity sector for over a decade helping charities to help their beneficiaries, this new fundraising and supporter care service is a natural extension to our offering.

"Support from the Welsh Government is a very important element to the launch and our objective of creating sustainable jobs.’’

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: “The Welsh Government is pleased to support Connect Assist in launching this new service which will be creating a significant number of local jobs and offering a range of career opportunities for people.

“Connect Assist currently employs 100 people and its work over the past ten years has made a real impact, supporting and helping people into employment which has been recognized through a number of well deserved awards.”

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