From Valleys to Parks
Written by Tir Coed / Wednesday 25 September 2024
Our AnTir project has taken an exciting turn as we settle into delivering activities at Rock Park, right in the heart of Llandrindod Wells. Being a public park, it’s not a typical Tir Coed setting but being in the middle of town has opened new doors and brought fresh opportunities. Now halfway through our second course, we’re embracing the benefits of being centrally located.
One major advantage is how accessible our site is for trainees with no access to a car. With most of our current cohort arriving by foot or bus, we’ve been able to reach individuals who would have struggled to attend more rural courses. It’s rewarding to see how this shift has allowed us to better serve our target demographic –those not in employment or training.
Being in town has also increased our visibility. Locals often stop by to chat as they walk through the park, giving us the perfect chance to share what Tir Coed is all about and develop connections with the community. This helps us build stronger relationships and spread the word about our courses in a way less possible in more remote settings.
Of course, being in an urban park comes with its own set of challenges, like occasional distractions from passers-by or dealing with litter. But we’ve managed to turn these in to opportunities too:
“There was an incident where graffiti was spray painted on the side of our lock up. We spoke to the local boys who were hanging around and the most likely culprits, and we realised they felt bored, disenfranchised and generally unwanted in public spaces. We then liaised with the park volunteer group who arranged a graffiti workshop for the boys, and we have tried to make the boys feel welcome and give them a sense of ownership over the space. If they feel like it is their park too, then they may be less likely to vandalise it. Hopefully some of these boys will come on one of our future courses!”
Annie, Powys Co-ordinator
This commitment to supporting individuals and local communities is central to Tir Coed's mission. Through our expansion in Powys, we are excited to engage more people with land and woods, enriching lives through outdoor learning and promoting wellbeing in nature. We look forward to discovering even more ways that our presence in Rock Park can positively impact both our trainees and the wider community.
