Communication Lifelines

Through each of our Community & Family Hubs in Penygraig, Penyrenglyn, Rhydyfelin & Dinas we are reach out to 3,000 people every week.

During the lockdowns we maintainied our weekly contact with isolated families and older people who would normally come to our support groups, but are stuck in their home and often lonely and frightened.

We made 4,908 Wellbeing calls, provided 588 Adult Care Packs and made 201 shopping trips,  which helped isolated adults to feel that they mattered and  someone cared.

“Taking part in weekly video chats and the one to one phone calls really helps me with my mental health and I do not feel so isolated”
Isolated older person

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Covid-19

Food Poverty

The impact of Covid 19 on people’s ability to feed their families has reveals the challenges of living in an area of high deprivation in the South Wales Valleys.

During the pandemic, staff and volunteers in each of our Community & Family Hubs in Penyrenglyn, Penygraig, Rhydyfelin & Dinas, have stepped up to respond to the needs of our local communities; we’ve been donating over 1,000 free meals each week to vulnerable children in the Rhondda Valleys who normally rely on free school meals.

The Play Yard – Valleys Kids’ social enterprise in Treorchy utilised the facilities to respond to exceptional demand from families who are under tremendous pressure. Many have suddenly lost their primary source of income for an indefinite amount of time. Many rely on free school meals to provide a meal for their children, or have lost their job, or are unable to leave the house. The resulting stress and anxiety is an ongoing problem for many.

Valleys Kids’ Factory in Porth also in lockdown, but staff are working hard to support local families providing up to 50 food parcels a week. These are a lifeline for vulnerable families, more than 36% have 4 or more children.

Over the course of the lockdowns, with the support of  diverse sources of funding and local business support, we were able to provide:   21,254 lunches to disadvantaged children & families and deliver 1,970 food hampers.

“The support we have received from Valleys Kids with the food parcels has been brilliant. We really needed it at this time.”
Family receiving food parcels

“James has been having a hard time lately being stuck in isolation. He has ADHD and usually attends at least three groups at play centres a week and is always doing outside activities to burn up his energy. He is used to routine right now he’s over tired from not being able to sleep and yet still has energy to burn. He is tearful and sad Valleys Kids Play Yard has been bringing sunshine to his days by delivering special lunches for him and the three girls.

Today he received a very special birthday lunch that included a present of passes ready to visit the Play Yard when he can go to play. He also had lots of special treats in his bag. He smiled so much he now has something to plan and look forward to. Thank you so much to everyone at the Play Yard and all the delivery drivers. You really are fabulous people.”                    Family receiving children’s lunches

Covid-19

A Royal start to the day

Valleys Kids and ArtWorks could not be any prouder of two of our wonderful Young People Nadine Hussein and Zoe Arundell. They have both been on amazing journeys with our organisation and have both recently been appointed as young apprentices to our Board of Trustees. Last week they went to Cardiff Castle with our Operational Director and Founder Margaret Jervis for a meet with HRH Prince Harry and his beautiful Fiancé Meghan.

As Nadine writes

“Three weeks ago I was in London for New Years, when I had a dream that I met Prince Harry in the strangest of circumstances.  Fast forward two weeks and I get a text asking if I would be willing to represent Valleys Kids as a young person who had been given the chance to be immersed in theatre and culture in South Wales and if I would like to attend the Royal Visit at Cardiff Castle.  Today, I feel privileged to have met his Royal Highness Prince Harry and his beautiful Fiancé, Meghan, on their visit to Cardiff.

They were the sweetest couple and I was taken aback by how amazing they were, hearing how being a part of ArtWorks, Valleys Kids saw me write and direct my first Theatre production last summer.

I feel so blessed to be part of such a incredible organization and to have been given this truly astonishing opportunity to meet such a special couple

I genuinely feel on top of the world right now and my forever motto is going to be Dreams really do come true.

News

Comedy and Improvisation Workshop

Yanc Cymru Youth Arts Network Cymru are very pleased to announce that the very wonderful ‘Flossy & Boo’ will be running a Comedy and Improvisation Workshop for our South Wales event.

Flossy and Boo will guide you through elements of Clowning, comedy, Physical Theatre, Storytelling and Audience Interaction to generate new ideas and push your creativity further.

Where: Sherman Theatre.
When: February 12th
Time: 6.00pm-8.30pm
Cost: YANC members – £15 full price, £10 concessions (student/unemployed)
Non members – £30 full price, £20 concessions (student/unemployed)

This event will be BSL Supported

Any further information or to book please contact jain.boon@ntlworld.com

For all our young people who are emerging artists / interested in creating story and theatre. Book up for what promises to be a wonderful workshop, contact Jain

Uncategorized

The Magic Porridge Pot by Sherman Theatre

In a village on the edge of the Enormous Forest, Aggie is always trying to help her mother and the other villagers, but often ends up just making a mess. Whilst on one of her adventures Aggie is given a magical pot which makes tasty porridge, but when her mother tries her hand at it and can’t make the pot stop, the town is filled with porridge and Aggie’s help is really needed… by everyone.

The Magic Porridge Pot is overflowing with songs, music and fun for all the family, especially those under 7, this Christmas.

ArtWorks Valleys Kids, are delighted to welcome back the Sherman theatre this year with thier show the Magic Porridge Pot.  We will be hosting a community performance on Monday 6th November at 6pm in Soar Centre, Penygraig, CF40 1JZ

Tickets WILL sell out fast so please reserve them through ArtWorks on 01443 303032

Uncategorized

Valleys Cinema presents – Beauty and the Beast

An adaptation of the fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love.  Disney’s animated classic takes on a new form, with a widened mythology and an all-star cast. A young prince, imprisoned in the form of a beast, can be freed only by true love. What may be his only opportunity arrives when he meets Belle, the only human girl to ever visit the castle since it was enchanted.

Come and join ArtWorks for a magical night watching Disneys Beauty and the Beast in the Penyrenglyn Project.  Tuesday 17th October at 5pm.  Optional fancy dress or pjyamas.

To book tickets call ArtWorks on 01443 30 30 32 or emma@ValleysKids.org

News

Valleys Cinema presents ELF

After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.

Buddy was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa’s sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult human who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs. Hobbs, on Santa’s naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter’s relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities.

Tuesday 5th December 5pm – Soar Centre, Penygraig, CF40 1JZ

For tickets please call ArtWorks on 01443 303032 – emma@ValleysKids.org

News

Tinted Windows and Wanna Play?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhydyfelin Youth Theatre brings you two performances in one night! After a successful run of the performances at The Factory in Porth and Venue Cymru in North Wales, the group will be performing ‘Wanna Play’ and ‘Tinted Windows’ in their home community of Rhydyfelin. Please come along and see their amazing work, it will be a night not to be missed!

Wanna Play
A 4-D sensory experience. Be prepared for surprises. Only for people with strong nerves.

Tinted Windows
What’s happening to all the information you post about yourself on social media? Is it showing the real you? Who’s watching you? Come along and take part in this immersive experience, which includes film, performances and a Big Brother booth.

Friday 29th September 7pm, Ilan Centre Rhydyfelin

News