The funding, awarded through the Gwent High Sheriffs’ Community Fund in partnership with Community Foundation Wales and the Office of the Gwent Police & Crime Commissioner, will support the development of a structured, peer-based programme for young people who have experienced loss.

The award follows a competitive participatory funding event held at Llanhilleth Miners Institute, where community organisations presented their work and future plans, with funding decisions informed by peer voting. The Parish Trust was one of only two organisations to receive multi-year funding, recognising both the need for bereavement support among young people and the charity’s track record of delivering community-based services.

Over the next three years, The Parish Trust will design and pilot a youth bereavement course aimed at providing safe, accessible spaces for young people to explore grief, understand their experiences, and support one another. The programme will be based at the Trethomas Life Centre, with the potential to extend its reach more widely across the region.

The initiative builds on The Parish Trust’s bereavement support for adults, and its broader work supporting families and young people, including its Baby Bank, toddler groups, youth provision, and holiday activities. The new programme reflects a growing recognition that bereavement, while a universal human experience, often lacks accessible and appropriate support for younger age groups.

Rev. Dean Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of The Parish Trust, said:

“Multi-year funding gives us the space to begin this work properly. As we design and pilot our youth bereavement programme, it allows us to take a thoughtful, measured approach, listening carefully to young people and learning what genuinely helps. Over the next three years, it will help us build a small but meaningful provision for young people in our community, so that those experiencing loss know they are not alone and have somewhere to turn.”

The funding will enable the charity to take a measured and evidence-informed approach, ensuring the programme is shaped by the needs and experiences of young people themselves. It is expected that insights from the pilot will inform future development and potential expansion of bereavement support provision.

The Parish Trust has expressed its gratitude to the funders and partners involved, including the Gwent Nurture Trust, highlighting the importance of long-term investment in enabling sustainable, community-led solutions to complex challenges.

The programme is expected to begin its initial development phase later this year.

Dean joined the Cardiff City leg of the challenge, walking tethered to Behnaz Akhgar from BBC Cymru Wales Headquarters in Central Square, over to the Principality Stadium, and on to the National Museum of Wales. The event drew plenty of attention from passers-by as the group braved the damp autumn weather, cheered on by BBC staff and supporters.

During a live broadcast on BBC Radio Wales, Dean spoke about the difference BBC Children in Need funding has made to The Parish Trust’s work in the Caerphilly Basin. He shared how the funding has helped expand the charity’s support for children and young people, particularly through projects that build confidence, wellbeing, and a sense of community.

Dean said,

“It’s so important that people understand the impact their donation to BBC Children in Need has on local charities working on the ground in their communities. We started with a food bank during COVID — responding to isolation and lack of opportunities. Since then, we’ve grown a whole programme of activities for children and young people, from our toddlers’ groups to youth volunteering opportunities. We’re trying to expand and respond to the felt needs of our communities, and funding from Children in Need has been key in helping us plan long-term and secure the future of the charity.”

The light-hearted atmosphere of the walk, complete with laughter, puddles, and a fair amount of coordination challenges, captured the spirit of teamwork and resilience that underpins the campaign. The event highlighted the power of partnership and how national fundraising initiatives can directly strengthen local projects like those run by The Parish Trust.

The charity extends its thanks to BBC Children in Need, BBC Radio Wales, and everyone who took part or donated.

This grant will allow us to develop a bike safety workshop for young people in the local area by Toby Jones, age 15, who is a junior leader at our Youth Club and has worked hard to submit a grant application for a project that is close to his heart. 

Toby has volunteered at The Parish Trust since last summer, and has become a core member of the team, valued by all staff and young people that attend Youth Club. Toby has made strides in becoming a trusted member of the youth club team and advocating for his peers over the past year. An avid biker, Toby understands the importance of bike safety, particularly in the local area where many young people cycle to Youth Club, and as a means of transport to and from school. 

Toby is a talented cyclist, and regularly cycles to our HQ, a 40-minute journey in which he takes every safety precaution. He has vital skills to share to our young people, and is keen to use the £2,000 to invest in the community and create a workshop on bike safety for them. The money will also be used to provide free helmets to anyone who completes the workshop as a way to provide necessary safety equipment for free, and to purchase a bike repair station and new bike racks, which will find its home at our new Youth and Children’s venue, The Bryn Hall.

Carrie Gealy, the Youth and Children’s Programme Manager said, “This project is something that hits home for the Youth Club team. Every week we see our young people cycle to us without helmets, and know the risks of this. Toby’s passion and enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge and keeping people safe on their bicycles is an inspiration to us all. I’m looking forward to guiding Toby through this project and creating something meaningful and vitally important for the community.”