Tu Hwnt I’r Gofyn/Above & Beyond is an ambitious co-created project which brings together the community of Penrhys in Rhondda Cynon Taff with partners, collaborators and creatives, to develop a sustainable model of co-creation. Last week, the partnership hosted three days of play, creativity, and performance in Penrhys, as part of the ongoing community engagement in the area.
Thanks to funding secured from the Arts Council of Wales, the three-day ‘Above and Beyond’ event was the last in a series of Connect and Flourish events, aimed at bringing the community together to encourage positive social change throughout Penrhys.
Emily Robinson, Creative Producer for Above and Beyond, said: “This event was co-created with the local community for the local community” using a unique cultural approach that will encourage residents to look towards a positive future on the estate.
Trivallis has a large number of properties in Penrhys and it is important that tenants feel supported within their neighbourhood. Residents were able to influence what they wanted to see on the estate throughout the week, and activities ranged from crafts and children’s games to circus skills and rapping.
The end of the week saw a beatboxing battle and parkour display, starring local children who had worked with Dean and Sandra from the Above and Beyond project. The finale of the community event allowed the children to showcase the skills they had learnt throughout the project to friends and family.
“We are celebrating the young people on this estate and giving them a platform to showcase the skills they have learned. We invited people in the local community to watch and celebrate the children’s amazing attitude” Emily explained.
The event also held performances from the National Dance Company Wales, who premiered a routine created specifically for the event by apprentice dancers at the Company, as well as a show from the Make It theatre group.
Friday saw the addition of lunch, with woodfired pizza and ice cream from The Welsh Italian Pizza Company, which was a hit with all local residents.
Lisa Roberts, Partnership Officer at Trivallis said: “The Above and Beyond project has been running for over a year now and Trivallis is one of several partners on the project. The difference this partnership has made to the community already, is astounding. Trivallis will continue to be a part of this partnership and we are looking forward to seeing the community go from strength to strength.”
The Above and Beyond team will continue to run beatboxing and parkour sessions at Penrhys Primary School to utilise the remaining few months of funding, and are currently looking forward to continued funding to sustain the activities in Penrhys going forward.
For more information on the Above and Beyond project, visit Arts Council of Wales | Arts Council of Wales