Children Leading Change in Penrhys

This week, we celebrated the fantastic work of the children from Penrhys Primary School who have been taking part in the Child-to-Child Project, delivered in partnership with Trivallis, Valleys Kids and the school’s Family Engagement officer.

Over the past three months, the children have explored their community, learning about what makes Penrhys special, what challenges it faces and how they can help create positive change.

At a special celebration event, the children confidently presented their findings to parents, community members and local organisations. They shared not only what they had learned but also what they love most about where they live.

One of the most powerful aspects of the project was seeing Penrhys through the eyes of its young people. Their view of the community was hopeful, creative and honest. They spoke proudly about the beautiful views, local parks, community spaces and even the much-loved local kebab shop! Above all, they highlighted something that shone through in every conversation – people in Penrhys care about thier community.

The children also identified issues they would like to see improved, including litter, dog fouling, motorbikes and trail bikes, and concerns about rats in some areas. Through surveys, discussions and research, they gathered evidence and shared ideas for change.

For many of the children, the biggest achievement was finding their voice. The project helped build confidence, encouraged teamwork and showed them that they can make a real difference in their community. Watching them present their work with such confidence and pride was truly inspiring.

The impact of the project is already being seen. Following the presentation, partners including RCT Refuse Services, Keep Wales Tidy, local PCSOs, councillors and the Mayor committed to supporting a community clean-up event on 6 July. The school’s Eco Council will also receive child-friendly litter-picking equipment to continue their work, while links have been made with the local litter-picking hub based at the church.

This project has shown the power of partnership working and what can happen when children are given the opportunity to be heard. Their voices have sparked conversations, inspired action and reminded us all to focus not just on what’s wrong, but on what’s strong.

A huge thank you to all the pupils, Mrs Jones and the staff at Penrhys Primary School, and Amy, Ellen and the team at Valleys Kids for making this project such a success.

The future of Penrhys is bright, and these young people have shown they have an important role to play in shaping it.