Togetherness Triumphs at T-Fest

On Tuesday, the spotlight shone brightly on our communities at T-Fest, an unforgettable tenant conference held at Y Muni in Pontypridd.

T-Fest brought together tenants, community groups, Trivallis staff and Board members into one room to celebrate the amazing work that tenants and community members are carrying out in their communities, making a difference every single day.

There was a great buzz in the room, with moments of reflection, laughter, and inspiration echoing through every conversation.

Attendees didn’t just listen; they were part of the action – sharing feedback, exchanging brilliant ideas, and meeting others from across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff. This was a day where voices were heard, stories were shared, and new connections were made.

There was a great lineup of speakers, including Emma Nicholas (Chair of the Tenant Action Panel), Duncan Forbes (Chief Executive), and Board Member Julian John, who took to the stage to introduce the day. Other inspiring voices on the day included, Jen O’Hara Jakeway (Head of Community Involvement), involved tenant Donna Davies, Nick Beckett (Chair of the Board), and guest speakers Ali Abdi and Mhairi McVicar from Grange Pavilion.

Hosting duties were handled by an outstanding team of four – Huw Cook, Deb James, Bethan Kendry, and Leeann Ball – who kept the day buzzing with energy and excitement with a sing along and a few dances thrown in.

One of the most anticipated parts of the day was the T-Fest Awards, where the crowd celebrated the standout achievements of communities through public votes.

Here are the worthy winners:

Caring for the environment – Communities that take care of their outdoor spaces with gardens, recycling, litter picking, and other green activities. This helps the environment and builds community pride.

Winner: Aberdare, Abernant, Aberaman, Cwmaman

Community hub – Communities with a lively community centre that brings people together and offers important services and activities.

Winner: Tonyrefail

Diversity and inclusion – Communities that hold events and activities for people of all ages and backgrounds, making everyone feel welcome, especially those who might feel left out.

Winner: Llantrisant, Talbot Green, Llanharan

Community spirit award – Recognises communities where people support each other during tough times, creating a caring and strong neighbourhood.

Winner: Beddau, Gilfach Goch, Tynant

Working together – Communities that effectively partner with other services, like the police, credit unions, job clubs, food banks, schools, or churches, to ensure residents get the support they need.

Winner: Church Village

Youth involvement – Communities where young people can get involved in activities like clean-ups, youth clubs, art projects, or sports, making a positive impact on their estate.

Winner: Glyncoch, Ynysybwl,Nantgarw, Taffs Well

This unforgettable day was brought to life thanks to a dedicated team of involved tenants, working hand-in-hand with Trivallis staff. Their passion and planning were the driving forces behind T-Fest’s success.

A special touch was added with the large, artfully decorated T-FEST letters, crafted by the talented Trivallis Repairs Team and covered in drawings by school children showing “What does your community mean to you?”.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who played a part – from planning and organising to running the event. And a heartfelt shout-out to Y Muni for hosting the event in a great location, offering a warm and welcoming venue in the heart of Pontypridd.

T-Fest was more than a celebration – it showed the importance of recognising and inspiring those who make a difference.

Take a look at what took place at T-Fest:

Want to be part of the action? Find out how: Get Involved