Perthcelyn Community Centre has been closed to the public for the last five years. Trivallis was approached by local councillors Ross Williams and Adam Fox along with Adele Evans, founder of ASD Rainbows, to work in partnership to help get the community centre refurbished and back in use for the local community and to support the demand on the services of ASD Rainbows.
ASD Rainbows are a charity based in Perthcelyn who provide services for young children with autism, Adele Evans, who founded the charity in 2017 said: “We started the charity for pre-school children with autism and communication disorders because we realised there was a massive gap in services for children with autism in the local area.
It is important that we have this community centre and that we’re refurbishing it because we have very quickly outgrown our current unit. So, in order to try and address all the needs for the services we provide, we need a bigger venue and Perthcelyn Community Centre will be able to provide us with that.”
Lisa Toghill, Chairperson and service user of ASD Rainbows added: “We’ve been trying hard to expand our services and when the community centre became available, we felt it was absolutely the right thing for us. It’s an amazing opportunity not only for us, but for the community and we’re keen to make this a partnership effort and work with groups within the community to make this a success.
I think that’s an important message for inclusivity as well, because having a community centre which is also a centre for children with autism is only a good thing. It raises awareness and promotes inclusion, so we’re just really excited to see how the future unfolds.”
Before & afters of the renovation.
Trivallis has worked with our amazing partners who donated their time, skill and materials through our community benefit programme to decorate and enhance the centre. They fitted a new kitchen, new access and interior doors, painted all the rooms and providing new flooring throughout. All of which has completely transformed the centre and has provided the community of Perthcelyn with a hub to come together, not only with ASD Rainbows, but as a community in themselves.
Lisa Roberts, Partnerships Officer at Trivallis said: “Now this key community asset is back open it has already started to make a difference to both the community of Perthcelyn and the families supported by ASD Rainbows. There is no other community facility within the immediate area and this centre, will become the hub of Perthcelyn. Providing a place where people can meet with friends, enjoy a coffee and a cake in the new bistro, or learn new skills at the different courses that will delivered here. With the cost of living impacting us all ASD Rainbows have already started putting in place initiatives to support the community, for example they plan to offer free meals for all during certain times.”
Councillor Wendy Treeby, Mayor of Rhonnda Cynon Taf, did the honours of cutting the ribbon and declaring the centre officially open. Followed by the students of Perthcelyn Community Primary school performing a song written by Huw Evan, Musical Director and ASD Rainbows Trustee to mark the occasion.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to our partners M Delaceys – Principal contractor, Crown Paints, LCB Construction, Tremorfa, Nautilus, Howdens, Carpets n Carpets & Bell Group who worked in partnership with us to make this project possible. It has been a privilege to strengthen our partnerships and give back to this community at such a difficult time.
We hope the community centre provides the residents of Perthcelyn and those at ASD Rainbows, with a safe space that offers support, friendships and opportunities to build lasting relationships.