Penrhys community comes together for litter pick inspired by local pupils

The Penrhys community came together earlier this month for a community litter pick that was inspired by the ideas and passion of local primary school pupils.

The event took place at Penrhys Primary School and brought together residents, partner organisations and local leaders, all with a shared goal of helping to keep the community clean and welcoming for everyone.

Representatives from Trivallis, Valleys Kids, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Refuse Services, Keep Wales Tidy, Llanfair Uniting Church Members, South Wales Police and the Mayor joined local residents to support the initiative.

The litter pick was led by Hywel Tanner Jones from Keep Wales Tidy, who praised the fantastic turnout and the positive community spirit on display throughout the day.

There was a real sense of togetherness as people of all ages worked alongside one another to make a difference in the area. As well as helping to improve local spaces, the event provided an opportunity for residents and organisations to connect and strengthen community relationships.

The idea for the litter pick came from pupils involved in the Child to Child Project at Penrhys Primary School. During discussions about their community, the children identified litter as one of the key issues they wanted to address and shared their thoughts with local organisations and partners.

Their message clearly resonated. The quick response from partners and residents demonstrated the value of listening to young people and taking action on the issues that matter most to them.

Andrew Williams, Headteacher at Penrhys Primary School, said:

“We are incredibly proud of our pupils and the Eco Council for highlighting an issue that is important to them and helping to bring the community together. It was wonderful to see so many people supporting the litter pick, and we hope this is the first of many similar events that will continue to build pride in Penrhys.”

The event highlights the positive impact that can be achieved when communities work together and when young people are given the opportunity to share their ideas. What began as a conversation in the classroom quickly became a community effort, bringing residents and organisations together to make a positive difference in Penrhys.