Session 6 – 12th April – 14.15 – 15.05

Title of Presentation:           What can be learnt from the experiences

                                                of local people against a continually

                                                changing landscape

Presenter:                             Wayne Carter

Name of Organisation:        Penrhys Partnership Rhondda

Summary:

Wayne Carter is the Partnership Manager with Penrhys Partnership (a not for profit amalgam of the public, private and voluntary sectors working with the residents of Penrhys in the RhonddaValley to ‘create a community to which people wish to belong’.

Penrhys Estate which was developed in the late 1960’s, is located 1400ft above sea level on the spur of the Rhondda. The community was brought together in the mind of planners with a vision of an utopian lifestyle.  However, the community has struggled through the years to diminish itself as a reputation for crime, drugs and other social ills. 

The Penrhys story is one of a personal and community struggle, without a voice and a listening ear.  Media headlines such as ‘is this community worth saving?’, ‘Residents fight to save homes from demolition’ and ‘The estate where learning almost died reflect the struggle throughout the communities history.

Since the inception of the Partnership in 1991, attempts have been made to improve access to local services, provide opportunities for enjoyment on limited means and widen participation and progression in learning and improving the social and economic prospects of the area.

The Partnership now owns and manages 3 buildings Y Ffynnon Village Centre, Cartref (housing complex) and Canolfan Rhys, which has 15 residential units and 7 commercial outlets, which are let to local groups and businesses, ie. shop, post office, surgery, social services, education and training centre, fish shop, arts and education centre, and vulnerable housing complex. It is also involved in developing the wider community strategy with various agencies and local authority.  It is the umbrella group of the Welsh Assembly’s Communities First Programme.

The Partnership Community Learning Programmes also provides a range of informal and formal learning opportunities for young people and adults through, weekly arts, education and environment programmes, and building capacity in local volunteers and community groups. It also acts as a conduit to a range of local services such as Advice about Employment, Debt Awareness, Health, and Environmental Issues.

The community also recognises the need to celebrate its achievements and to positively promote itself, which is 'Why Penrhys will one day glow with pride' and how residents are 'Proud of Penrhys and people power'.

The workshop will therefore ask: What can be learnt from the experiences of local residents and activists in a community such as Penrhys, against a continually changing landscape?