Introduction
The Parish Trust is proud to lead the redevelopment of Bryn Hall into The Trethomas Life Centre (TLC), a project shaped by the community’s needs and aspirations. Recent early consultation results have revealed overwhelming support for transforming Bryn Hall into a vibrant hub that serves families, children, and youth. The statistics, a collation of over 100 responses from an online survey, a paper survey and listening exercises at our projects, show a clear mandate from the community: Trethomas is ready for a dedicated space that offers comprehensive programmes and services for all.
Strong Community Demand for a Family-Centric Hub
The consultation data speaks volumes about what the residents of Trethomas want from The Trethomas Life Centre. Notably, 75.6% of respondents expressed a desire for dedicated children’s groups, and 68.3% prioritised youth clubs. Additionally, 56.1% of respondents highlighted the importance of and need for health and wellness programmes. These figures show a communal emphasis on creating a supportive environment for younger generations.
Moreover, 46.3% of participants see value in arts, crafts, and music programmes, and 48.8% believe that support groups should be a cornerstone of the new centre. Additionally, a desire to see educational workshops, cited by 36.6% of respondents, further emphasises the community’s desire for a place of growth and learning.
Addressing Key Community Challenges
The consultation also highlighted significant challenges facing Trethomas, challenges that this projects is aiming to address. The most striking concern is the 80.5% of respondents who identified insufficient services for youth as a pressing issue. In tandem with this, 63.4% of respondents pointed out the lack of recreational activities, while 61.0% stressed the need for more community spaces in Trethomas. These statistics show a clear demand for a facility that can offer varied and engaging activities for all age groups.
One respondent shared, “Single parents struggle with childcare whilst at work, so extra after-school clubs would be a huge help. Family events would also encourage interaction between families and hopefully help community bonds develop further.”
In addition to youth services, 36.6% of participants identified economic issues as a challenge, and 24.4% raised safety concerns.
A community member commented, “Trethomas definitely needs somewhere youths can access in the evening instead of roaming the streets. It would also be great to have somewhere for local mental health support groups, exercise classes, and fun clubs for kids—a true community hub.” This highlights the community’s strong support for the project’s potential to meet a variety of needs.
Another participant added, “There needs to be more positive activity for all age groups. Since COVID, the elderly have become prisoners in their own homes due to the lack of engagement. It would be lovely to see the building become popular again like it was in the 70s and 80s.”
The redevelopment of Bryn Hall into the TLC represents an opportunity to mitigate these issues by creating a safe, inclusive, and economically beneficial space for all residents.
Progress and Community Involvement
We are excited to announce that the transfer of ownership of Bryn Hall to The Parish Trust has been successfully completed. This milestone allows us to move forward with surveying the site to determine the best path for renovation. In fact, work has already begun on clearing the grounds, thanks to the generosity of a kind volunteer who has offered their services free of charge.
However, we are mindful of the financial constraints we face, especially as The Parish Trust also needs to relocate its headquarters by the end of the year. To make this project a reality, we will be reaching out to the community for support. In the coming weeks, we will be providing more information on how you can get involved, whether by donating materials, time, or services. We also plan to launch dedicated crowdfunding pages where you can contribute financially to help bring The Trethomas Life Centre to life.
All individuals, businesses, funders, and organisations will be recognised publicly for any help that they give to this project.
Ongoing Community Consultation
As we continue to shape this project, we want to ensure that everyone in Trethomas has the opportunity to make their voice heard. The community consultation remains open, and we encourage anyone who hasn’t yet shared their views to do so. Your input is invaluable as we work together to create a centre that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.
The Bryn Hall project is more than just a building renovation; it’s a chance to create a space that fosters connection, creativity, and growth for everyone in Trethomas. With your support, The Trethomas Life Centre can become a cornerstone of community life—a place where families, children, and youth can thrive.
Stay tuned for updates as we move forward with this exciting project, and thank you for your continued support and involvement.
