Nantymoel 2017-18

Community (includes topics relating to general public well being, poverty, social exclusion affecting others, public security and public services) · Education/leisure/cultural activities (includes school, training, skills and employability) · Environment and amenities (includes climate action, pollution, conservation, circular economy) · Play, leisure, recreation, culture and art · UN Theme

RQ: What can help reduce loneliness for older people?

Methods: Focus groups with older people in the community

Findings:

  • Nearly half of the people who took part in our research said they felt lonely
  • Things that make people feel lonely: Disability, Retirement, Not going out, Not seeing anyone, Losing loved ones
  • Even though people see family, friends and neighbours ‘very often’ or ‘sometimes’ they still feel lonely. ‘Getting together’ would help people feel less lonely.
  • Ideas: More community meetings, classes such as knitting/sewing, community café, social evenings, community choir, story-telling.
  • ‘More activities would improve confidence’. People said these activities would increase confidence: joining clubs, book clubs, home visits, losing weight, getting a job, meeting people, coffee mornings and more help and support

Outcomes/Impact 

Pupils presented their results to the craft group and participated in a craft session afterwards.

2018-2019 Follow on project:

Following on from the foundational research on loneliness, the pupils prioritised to work on developing a community garden to tackle the issues faced and to bring the community together. From their research engagements, the community coordinator for Ogmore Vale Bridgend connected Little Voices pupil researchers with Reach Rural Development and the Boys and Girls Club to be part of the development of the Berwyn Community Garden outside their school. They took part in community consultations to give their ideas and their recommendations are included in the development report.  They include:

Develop a community garden in the land outside the school, featuring:

  • Picnic Area
  • Green rubber ‘Lynn the Leap long jump area’, brass metal measuring set into ground marking his longest jump with bench to sit and watch
  • Shelter – bug hotel (part of boundary), meadow roof (wild flower, grass)
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Steel Storage Container, adapted, meadow roof, wooden cladding, bug house, shelter
  • Pet areas dogs on leads, dog poo bin
  • Work with Keep Wales Tidy
  • Little Voices Plaque with logo and children’s names
  • Bike racks for cycle trail
  • Normal benches
  • Stage Area
  • Raised planting area/small trees/water barrow
  • Arched entrance area gate ‘ Welcome to Berwyn Community Garden”
  • Bow-top galvanised fencing

Sport Wales helped to connect the project with Lynn Davies the Olympic athlete who used to train in the area and has also stated his interest in opening the Berwyn Community Garden and the ‘long jump’.

Plans for the Berwyn site are ongoing with funding being sought to develop the first phase.

While talking about rights the pupils collaborated with Amnesty International and The Open University to give their views on a Children’s Rights book for children.