Crawshay Court Engagement

📅 Date: 7 May 2024


📍 Location: Crawshay Court (Assisted Living Accommodation)


🗣️ Who we spoke to: Residents, plus local PCSO and assisted living volunteers


Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers


🙋 Type of engagement: Informal one-to-one conversations and questionnaires during residents’ social activities

This engagement focused on informal engagement with older residents living in assisted accommodation. The aim was to understand what residents value about their area, what challenges they face, and what improvements they would like to see.

🚀 Emerging Themes

  • What people like:
    • Strong community spirit and sense of belonging.
    • Community gardens – residents enjoy learning new skills and improving outdoor spaces.
    • Visits from local schools (e.g., St Lltyd Primary) to the gardens were uplifting and made residents feel connected.
    • Charity shops, socialising opportunities, and initiatives like Vale Plus and Age Friendly Vale.
    • Natural assets such as the coastline and large gardens.
  • Concerns:
    • Parks need upgrading – Blue Park and Dyfrig Park described as “old.”
    • Poor transport provision – buses only once an hour “if we’re lucky.”
    • Pavements in poor condition, making walking difficult for older residents.
  • Future priorities next 5:
    • Maintain pavements for safety.
    • Install benches along main roads into town so residents can rest while walking.
    • Upgrade local parks (Blue Park and Dyfrig Park).
    • Create an Outdoor Wellbeing Refuge Centre for young children, away from schools, with funding and a suitable location.
    • Reconnect with Greenlinks service and create a weekly trips

💬 Comments

“We need benches along the main roads – it would make walking into town possible for us.”

“Blue Park and Dyfrig Park are old and need an update.”

“Visits from the school really lifted our spirits – more of that please.”

Summary:

Residents highlighted how important community connections, shared gardens, and social activities are to their wellbeing. However, they also identified several barriers to staying independent, including limited transport options, uneven or poorly maintained pavements, and too few places to rest while out and about.

They expressed a strong desire for improved park facilities, more accessible seating, and dependable transport services. There was also enthusiasm for new wellbeing initiatives for children and opportunities that bring different generations together.