Phil began his social work career in 1973, specialising in direct work with children. In 1981, he became the first manager of the Penygraig intermediate treatment project, a centre that pioneered new ways of helping troubled youngsters. He was a District Manager in Mid Glamorgan and then a Principal Officer with responsibilities that included the protection of vulnerable children. Between 1996 and 2001, Phil worked in Rhondda Cynon Taff, managing services for children and families. During this period, he obtained a Masters Degree in public management. Throughout his career in social services, Phil has been involved with a wide range of community and voluntary organisations. As a volunteer, he has been associated with Penygraig Community Project and then Valleys Kids for the past 28 years.

Ceri is Vice Chair of Valleys Kids and Chair of Valleys Creative. Born and bred in the Rhondda Valleys, his early career was spent working for HMRC, a spell working in the financial sector and supporting the family business based in Porth. Before retirement in 2022 he'd spent the last 26 years working for the Admiral Group. The first part of his time there working in Operations and the final 16 years leading the HR function. Previous Board positions include those on the WCCF Board and with RCT Homes. Interests outside work include watching most sports, his family and a love of most things French.

Since January 1988 Marion joined Penygraig Community Project and then Valleys Kids as a volunteer after her husband’s demise in 1987. She has one daughter and has lived in Penygraig all her life. Marion was educated at Tonypandy Grammar School, leaving to work as a cashier then manageress in a local store for 16 years. After redundancy Marion was employed for 29 years by USDAW (Shop Workers Union) in their Cardiff office as Accounts Supervisor then Office Manager until her retirement in 2002. As well as her Trustee responsibilities Marian also voluneers in the administration team and in after-school provision in Penygraig.

Howell had a career in Probation and Children’s Services focussing mainly on young offenders and disadvantaged children. Howell was a founder member over 40 years ago of Penygraig Community Project and then Valleys Kids and chaired the Board of Trustees for 40 years. Howell is also chair of the management committee of a much smaller children’s charity Daerwynno. This has a base in the Llanwonno forest and provides outdoor physical and environmental opportunities for children young people and adults, some of whom have special needs. Howell is now semi-retired but undertakes some child protection work and acts as an independent evaluator for two non-government networking organisations based in Brussels. Howell is Valleys Kids’ Board lead on Safeguarding.

Nadine has been involved with Valleys Kids for 19+ years in various capacities including Sparc, she is now a volunteer for the organisation and one of the youngest trustees on the board. Valleys Kids exposed her to a large variety of opportunities that she couldn’t have imagined, including recently representing the organisation on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tour of Wales, as well as being able to represent Valleys Kids at the Tate Modern in London. Since graduating she worked as a graduate apprentice for Sparc and then as a Digital trainer within the education sector. She currently works as a Civil Servant in Cardiff but she still a keen member of Valleys Kids both in her own community as well as their other hubs around the Valleys.

I have been a trustee at Valleys Kids for the last 13 years. I originally joined the board and have remained a trustee because I believe passionately in the organisation and its commitment to providing opportunities for families across the Valleys. I am currently the CEO of We Stand, an organisation that support families who have been impacted by Child Sexual Abuse. Prior to working at We Stand, I lived and worked in Uganda, supporting entrepreneurs across East Africa. I now live in East London and I am a mum of a very fun toddler.

Hello there, my name is Rhiannon Howells (Dr. Llewellyn). Now retired from full time work as a local General Medical Practitioner I can spend time with John my Husband, three children and six grandchildren. Born and brought up in Penygraig, Rhondda, I attended local schools and had a scholarship to train for six years at the Welsh School of Medicine at Cardiff. My postgraduate work began at our local hospitals and then training as an anaesthetist, then continuing in that specialty, and moving to work at Cardiff and district hospitals. After a number of years, my work moved back to Penygraig and then I built St. Andrews Surgery, Tonypandy with my GP partner, where I specialised in Child and Reproductive Health I continue to be a “Fellow of the Faculty of Reproductive Health and also a trustee with Valleys Kids, while enjoying gardening, and organising vintage car rallies in Mid and North Wales in my spare time. I am the Board's lead on Health.

Born and brought up in the borough of MerthyrTydfil, the youngest by 13 years of three children, I was surrounded by people committed to the chapel and the wider community. Having gained a degree in Humanities and trained as a teacher, my career changed direction following a period as a volunteer with the Probation Service. In 1980, I secured my first job in the Service at Penygraig. The “Bike Club”, the forerunner of Penygraig Community Project and Valleys KIds, had been founded some three years previously in the basement of the Probation Office and part of my role was to continue the link between Probation and the Club. By the time of my arrival the club had developed into the Penygraig Community Project and moved to Cross street. I became a volunteer at the Senior Club and in the following years took part in various community events; taking the lead roles in pantomimes, counting the money at the annual fete, organizing Christmas concerts etc. Caring and Community have been interlinked features of this involvement. Subsequently I was asked to become a Project Trustee and was at one time Treasurer of Valleys Kids. It has been a privilege to serve the Project. I retired from the Probation Service on 2017 and now work as required, as a Steward at the Principality Stadium. Married for 35 years, with 3 grown up sons, my wife and I live in the same valley terraced house which has been home to my family for over a hundred years. And we are still committed to the chapel and the wider community.

Jason heads up the Creative Learning team at the Wales Millennium Centre. He has a long-standing relationship with Valleys Kids actively volunteering his time for the organisation. He has worked with Sparc through the Together Stronger project taking a lead in establishing a Radio Station in the Factory. He has supported us to develop links between Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse Communities in Cardiff and young people in the Valleys, enabling us to reach a more diverse audience. He has also supported our work at Tate. Jason is the Vice Chair of YANC and has worked tirelessly throughout his career to support young people, particularly those from diverse background. He has been a key voice throughout the Black Lives Matter Campaign. On the Board of Valleys Kids, Jason works with us to continue to develop a strategic and robust approach to diversity. Jason is the Valleys Kids’ Board lead on the Arts.

My name is Zoe Arundell, the eldest of five children who have grown up in the Rhondda Valleys. I have a first class honours degree in Drama and Theatre and I am currently the assistant manager in The Play Yard. I have attended Valleys Kids since I was six years of age and have volunteered since I was 13 in the different projects. I have always loved volunteering and working within my community, for this I was recognised and attended Harry and Meghans wedding through Valleys Kids. I have always been passionate in helping disadvantaged individuals grow and develop through play and the arts and being involved in Valleys Kids since a young age has given me the opportunity to use my expertise of the charities values and aims to bring on board as a trustee. I can also use my experiences, skills and area of knowledge of the charity to support and shape the work alongside the members of the board. Being a trustee is very rewarding and gives me the opportunity to help support the work of the charity that matters to me.

Barbara came to Wales from London in 1973 to do post graduate study, and has lived and worked in the field of community regeneration ever since. Her work has ranged across different sectors and clients, from local community groups to national agencies, the private sector, universities and local government to Welsh Government. Her work covered project development, research, teaching, writing, estate redesign, funding and bidding and policy advice. Retired and living in the Valleys, Barbara now paints images and impressions of valley towns and landscapes.