A 2022 report from Play Wales highlighted that there was low satisfaction with play opportunities among disabled children. They felt that play spaces in their local area were not accessible. Trefriw Community Council wanted to address this by installing accessible equipment in their local play park.
In September 2023, the council applied for a grant to install a new, accessible roundabout in their village play park. The roundabout now offers children of all abilities a new play experience, improving and expanding the equipment that had been available in the park.
Securing this new roundabout was part of a wider community regeneration to promote Trefriw as an enjoyable and welcoming place to live and visit.
Using census data as evidence
Trefriw Community Council used data from Census 2021 and the 2011 Census as evidence for their application. This helped to show the potential number of users for the new roundabout and resulted in the council receiving a grant to build it.
"Data from the ONS were central to our application in terms of evidencing need," Jasmine Kelly, Vice Chair of Trefriw Community Council, said. "Trefriw has approximately 200 children aged under 15 and a higher proportion of children than other parts of the county. Our playground is therefore very well used by our resident families, as well as by visitors who come to enjoy our village."
She also said: "Our project will ensure inclusive and enriched play, socialisation and learning opportunities for local children and visitors, including use of the Welsh language with their peers. We feel this project is especially important given the impact the pandemic restrictions have had on children in our community and their socialisation."
Using ONS data now and in the future
Trefriw Community Council will continue to use relevant data from the ONS to support their ongoing work. For example, they referenced census data in discussions with Transport for Wales to highlight how signs at the nearest train station could encourage more visitors to Trefriw.