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Two years ago, the Parish Trust faced an uncertain future.

The Trethomas-based charity, which was formed in 2019, had stepped up to help its community during the Covid-19 pandemic – and its support remained as the cost-of-living crisis followed.

However, in late 2023, it became locked in a battle with the Church in Wales (CiW) over the continued use of its base at St Thomas’ Church.

The uncertainty could have threatened the charity’s existence. However, thanks to the tireless work of the people behind the charity, the future is now much brighter for the Parish Trust.

On Friday August 1, it officially opened its new base at the former Bryn Hall in Trethomas – a building which had previously stood empty and run-down.

But after a big restoration project, the former OAP hall, gifted to the trust by Bedwas Theatre Group, is now ready to support its community again.

‘Dawn of a new chapter’

Reverend Dean Roberts, chief executive and founder of the Parish Trust, spoke to Caerphilly Observer at the opening of the what is now known as the Trethomas Life Centre.

“It was just so hard really because we had been hoping to buy St Thomas’ Church, and that seemed to be what was going to happen,” said Rev Roberts.

“We were believing that that would be the case and then obviously, very, very quickly that changed – and without warning.”

Rev Roberts said the “hardest thing” was worrying about how the turmoil would impact the families who relied on the Parish Trust’s services the most.

“But my team have done a fantastic job of keeping things going in this interim period,” he said. “And we’ve managed to maintain our services as best as we can – and now we’re at the dawn of a new chapter.”

What will the new Trethomas Life Centre be used for?

Rev Roberts said the centre, which will host just some of the charity’s many services, will be “for everybody” – particularly families and children.

“We wanted to focus on our youth and children because they need investment. They need safe spaces to do things as there’s not a lot for families,” he said.

“The cost-of-living is really difficult for families too. So that’s our starting point.

“But we’re going to do a lot of things with bereavement support and mental health and wellbeing. So all of that is going to find a home here.”

The centre has a main hall, which can be divided into two to allow different activities to run at the same time. It also has a staff office, a wellbeing room, and a garden area – which will be completed in the near future.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, project manager Steve Knapton said: “An irredeemable building was redeemed and resurrected.”

Carrie Gealy, youth and children’s programmes manager at the Parish Trust, explained how the new site will host youth clubs and toddler groups, including ALN toddler groups – as well as after-school clubs where free meals are offered to the community.

She predicts around 100 people will attend the centre on an average week and said: “It’s going to be a real family centre. Families can come in, have a nice home-cooked meal after school and they can take recipes home with them and replicate them at home.”

Ms Gealy said the hub will also run wellbeing-focused music clubs, as well as support groups for new parents, bereavement courses, and one-to-one intervention work with young people.

‘Our staff members have worked around the clock’

Praising the charity’s staff, volunteers, and the wider community, Rev Roberts said: “I want to say a massive thank you.

“Our staff members have worked around the clock, they’ve worked above and beyond. They’ve volunteered time and resources to make this happen, and so have many other people.”

He added: “I’m so grateful to all of those people, but also it just reassured that we’re doing the right thing for Trethomas, as well as for the charity and for the wider community.”

Diane Brierley, chair of trustees at the Parish Trust, praised the “incredible” support from everyone who has made this dream a reality.

“We’re all really, really proud, It’s just really heart-warming.”

She also praised both project manager Steve Knapton and Rev Roberts and said: “Dean’s vision for this space and how it could be used, and his energy and enthusiasm, is really incredible.”

But the project came at a cost, meaning the charity had to source grant-funding to get the project going.

Rev Roberts said: “All of this is grant-funded. We have had some donations as well from very, very generous donors. In fact, about £12,000 was crowdfunded from the local area, which we think is amazing.

“But it’s taken a lot of work and we were obviously wanting to get in as quickly as possible. So we didn’t have a lot of time to raise the money – but in less than a year, we’ve raised all the money we needed to.”

“We’ve had lots of grants from different people and businesses, as well as local funds, the council – too many to mention.”

Construction firm Ashdown was tasked with transforming the derelict hall, and completed the works within 20 weeks.

Ashdown managing director Mike Gibbon, who is originally from the area, said: “When we first came here, we were looking at very much a derelict building, partly overgrown.

“We had to get the vegetation away to see parts of the building. It was very dark and fallen into not huge disrepair, but it was very unloved. The overall structure was here. But it had twisted and turned.. we had to straighten the building to start off with.”

He thanked Euroclad, which providing the cladding used in the rebuild free of charge, and provided help and advice during the works.

In total, more than £400,000 was put into the project – but the work isn’t done yet.

“We’ve still got a way to go with our grounds, which still need to be done,” said Rev Roberts. “We want to do landscaping, we want to create play spaces for children and a wellbeing garden.

“We’ve done the first bit and that’s a major milestone for us, but we’ve got more to do.”