In early 2025, the Wrexham Youth and Play Partnership (WYPP) who currently run Gwenfro Valley Playground, faced the difficult decision to close the gates of the playground as funding became more difficult to obtain and overhead costs escalated. Already operating on tight budgets due to the cost-of-living increases and short falls in funding opportunities, WYPP simply did not have the funding to continue to support the 500+ children registered with the play programme.
WYPP’s funding crisis, meant that Gwenfro Valley Adventure Playground, Caia Park was under threat of imminent closure in April 2025. It has been a much-loved adventure playground for the children and adults of Caia Park for over 18 years. It has helped children grow in confidence, learn to build, play and experiment in a nurturing environment. Gwenfro Valley also offers support for the adults whose children play in the much-loved community hub. This wrap-around care includes a sharing pantry, signposting to local services, as well as peer support.
When the Chief Officer and Chair of AVOW learned of the imminent closure of WYPP, they knew they had to act. AVOW’s (Wrexham’s County Voluntary Council (CVC)) main role is offering advice and guidance to community and voluntary organisations, however, AVOW already works in partnership with We Are Plas Madoc (WAPM) on the hugely successful ‘The Land’, one of the biggest junk playgrounds in Wales.
The AVOW Trustees agreed to create a similar partnership with WYPP to save Gwenfro Valley Adventure Playground. In this agreement, the WYPP playworkers will join the team from ‘The Land’ and AVOW will take over the lease of the land. Gwenfro Valley has a strong parent steering group who fundraise and shape delivery, AVOW will work with this group and the local community to continue to ensure Gwenfro Valley is a true community endeavour.
“We are very excited about this new chapter in Gwenfro Valley’s story. The playground is a true community, offering children and families not only enriching play opportunities but essential wellbeing and cost of living support. We are grateful to AVOW for supporting the ongoing sustainability of the playground and look forward to working closely with them. We would also like to thank our funders who continue to make this work possible.” – Millie Boswell, WYPP trustee.
Clare Pugh, manager of The Land and part of AVOW’s Senior Leadership Team will also now oversee Gwenfro Valley. This ensures that all current jobs are retained at Gwenfro Valley, while the new team begins the process of looking for new funding and corporate sponsorship to enable both playgrounds to grow and to thrive over the next five years.
AVOW and Gwenfro Valley are grateful for the support of Wrexham County Borough Council, who have worked with the team, working to ensure that this process was as smooth as possible, and that there was as little disruption as possible to play provision.
Mr Andrew Ranger MP visited the playground on Thursday the 21st of August to see the playground for himself.
“Gwenfro Valley Adventure Playground has been an integral part of Caia Park for 18 years and it is so clear why. The playground itself fires children’s imagination, encourages free play whilst the children are always supervised by the brilliant staff and their parents/carers. However, I know that it is so much more than a playground: it supports families as well as the children themselves, providing signposting to services and working in partnership with the community. I’m therefore delighted that AVOW has stepped forward to support its continued work and secure the playground financially. AVOW have shown their expertise and knowledge in play provision through their work at The Land in Plas Madoc and now Gwenfro Valley will benefit from this too.” – Mr Ranger said.
AVOW now faces the challenge of raising funds with Wrexham Youth and Play Partnership through grants and sponsorship to keep the playground open over the longer term. They are keen to work with other charities in the area and look for ways that they can enhance the amazing work that Gwenfro Valley Adventure Playground already does. With AVOW’s expertise and backing, Gwenfro Valley Adventure Playground is facing a more secure future, where they can provide play provision in one of the most deprived areas of Wrexham for many years to come.
“This is an exciting time for AVOW, and for its playwork journey. We are very happy that we have been able to partner with Wrexham Youth Play Partnership to and keep this vital community asset going. I’d like to thank the Wrexham County Borough Council for their help in making this happen. We’re excited about the challenges that lie ahead of us and AVOW will work tirelessly to support WYPP to provide ongoing support to children and their careers.” – Dawn Roberts-McCabe, Chief Officer of AVOW.
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