Llanbradach: Guardians for Heroes revamps Coed y Brain playground

From left: Volunteers Gareth Sharp, Gillian Collins, Beth Williams, and Paula Massey at Coed y Brain's new-look outdoor classroom — From left: Volunteers Gareth Sharp, Gillian Collins, Beth Williams, and Paula Massey at Coed y Brain’s new-look outdoor classroom

Primary school children in Llanbradach were surprised with a new-look playground after returning from their Easter break this week.

Thanks to volunteer efforts, the “drab” and “rundown” infant playground at Coed y Brain has been given a makeover – with colourful outdoor learning areas, refurbished Wendy houses and more brightening up the yard.

The project was led by Guardians for Heroes, a Treforest-based veterans support hub.

The revamp got underway at the start of the Easter holidays, and was completed less than two weeks later on Thursday April 24.

The project was supported by members of the Cardiff City FC Veterans’ Hub, the Caerphilly-based Boots on the Ground Wales, and parents at the school, who came together to breathe new life into the playground.

Gillian Collins, of Cardiff City FC Veterans' Hub, with the refurbished Wendy house - which was saved from being thrown out — Gillian Collins, of Cardiff City FC Veterans’ Hub, with the refurbished Wendy house – which was saved from being thrown out

Paula Massey, director at Guardians for Heroes and a veteran herself, explained how the project came about following previous work carried out by the group in Llanbradach, which saw 40 planters, 25 bird boxes and 25 bat boxes made for the community.

“I’d spoken to the school teacher at the time and she showed me this play area and said she’d love to have it done, and I just said to her, well, Guardians for Heroes would do it.

“We would get some people and get the community involved. And then nearly a year later, she emailed me to ask if I was interested in doing something for the garden, and that’s why we’re back here.”

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Wendy houses, sheds, and other playground equipment, which had seen better days, were brought back to life as part of the revamp, with the group placing a key emphasis on reusing existing materials and equipment.

Around ten volunteers helped out over Easter, including Beth Williams, whose two children are pupils at the school.

Beth, who is on the school’s Parent Teacher Association, was one of three parent volunteers helping out. She said: “My little boy plays in this area, and my little girl plays in the next area. They do classes out here, this is their outdoor classroom.”

Beth Williams busy painting in the school playground

Before the work, Beth said “there was nothing exciting for the kids” in the playground – but that’s all changed thanks to the team’s efforts.

She added: “Anything I can help with, I try and do, so when I saw the post asking for volunteers, I was straight on it. I just want to help out so the kids can have more.”

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer on the last day of the works, Paula said: “Chloe Wilson, the headteacher, is really great. She wants to make this area brighter for the children, which I know we’ve been able to achieve.

“What we’ve achieved in this short time, with so few people, just wow.”