Residents, volunteers, community leaders and the North Gate Swansea Pride in Place team came together at Waun Wen and Brynmelyn Park for a brilliant day of family fun, local conversations and community spirit.
It was fantastic to spend time at Waun Wen and Brynmelyn Park today for the Crazy Characters Fun Day and Table Top Sale.
After a wet start, even the rain couldn’t stop the day. The weather improved and the park filled with local residents, families, volunteers and community organisations enjoying everything from stalls and face painting to food, activities and plenty of conversation.
Most importantly, it was another opportunity to celebrate the people who already make this community special.
Community heroes making things happen
A huge amount of work went into making the event possible.
Karen and her team, family and volunteers put so much into bringing the day together, alongside many other local community heroes who gave their time and energy.
North Gate Swansea Neighbourhood Board member Heather Allen was also right in the middle of it, serving, helping and getting stuck in throughout the day.
Our Chair, Thom Lynch, popped by the event too, spending time catching up with residents, listening and learning more about what people value about the area and what they would like to see change.
It was also great to see local councillors Fiona Gordon and Patience Bentu amongst those supporting the day and spending time with the community.
Listening while we celebrate
Events like this are exactly the kind of places where we want North Gate Swansea Pride in Place to be present.
We don’t only want people to engage with the programme through formal meetings or surveys. We want to meet people where community already happens.
The Swansea Council team, including Nick and colleagues, spent time speaking with residents and capturing local views, concerns, ideas, joys and highlights.
Those conversations matter.
They will help build our understanding of the area and inform the North Gate Swansea Neighbourhood Board as it begins considering priorities, actions and future plans.
Building on what’s already here
Pride in Place is a long term opportunity, with up to £20 million of investment over the next decade for communities across North Gate Swansea.
However, days like today are a reminder that our starting point isn’t simply asking what needs fixing.
There is already so much to celebrate.
There are residents who care deeply about their streets and neighbourhoods. There are volunteers giving their time. There are community groups creating opportunities. There are people looking after one another and individuals like Karen and her team who simply get on and make good things happen.
Our job is to listen to all of that too, build on it and work together on the things people want to improve.
Have your say on North Gate Swansea
Today’s conversations are only part of the picture.
We want to hear from people across Waun Wen, Brynmelyn, Dyfatty, Hafod, North Hill and Upper High Street about what they love, what concerns them and what they believe could make North Gate Swansea an even better place to live, work and belong.
If you’d like to share your thoughts or get involved, leave your details through our contact page and we’ll be in touch:
Get involved with North Gate Swansea Pride in Place
A huge thank you to Karen, her family and team, Heather, the volunteers, residents, community organisations, councillors, Swansea Council colleagues and everyone else who helped make today happen.
This is what community looks like, and we’re excited to keep building on it together.