Pupils from Ysgol Calon Lân in Swansea have been making their mark on one of the city’s flagship regeneration projects.
The pupils – from the school’s Ty Dyfatty campus – recently visited the Y Storfa development taking shape in Swansea city centre where they contributed to the painting work taking place inside.
Delivered by Swansea Council, the Y Storfa community service hub at the former BHS unit on Oxford Street is due to open later this year.
It will include council services such as a new central library, the contact centre, Housing Options, Housing Support, lifelong learning, revenue and benefits, and the West Glamorgan Archive Service.
Non-council tenants at Y Storfa are set to include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library.
Working alongside local company Swansea Decorating Services, the Ysgol Calon Lân visit was organised by main Y Storfa contractor Kier Group as part of their community benefits programme.
Kier Group are a School Valued Partner of Careers Wales. The visit was part of an ongoing programme of activities to provide pupils with careers and work-related experiences.
School teaching staff were also in attendance, alongside representatives of Careers Wales.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “Y Storfa will soon be a place for the whole community, so it’s fantastic that pupils from Ysgol Calon Lân have been directly involved in shaping it.
“Their contribution has not only added colour to the building but also demonstrates the power of regeneration to create opportunities for learning and community pride.
“We’re grateful to Kier, Careers Wales and Swansea Decorating Services for making this happen.”
Teachers from Ysgol Calon Lân praised the project for boosting confidence and providing an enriching experience outside the classroom.
Mark Saunders, of Ysgol Calon Lân, said: “This hands-on experience gave my students a valuable opportunity to learn outside the classroom, developing new skills in a real-world setting.
“The staff at the placement were incredibly welcoming and engaged with my students, making the day both enjoyable and educational.
“I’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone involved for supporting our learners and helping make this project a success.”
Ian Rees, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “At Kier, we’re committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the communities where we work – and this is a great example of local engagement and impact.
“Inviting Ysgol Calon Lân pupils to Y Storfa has been a real highlight of the project.
“The pupils brought fantastic enthusiasm and a vibrant energy to the site, and we’re delighted they could play a part in helping prepare this outstanding new development for Swansea.”
Andrea John, Business Engagement Adviser at Careers Wales, said: “Involving the pupils in the development of Y Storfa is a fantastic way of exposing them to the world of work, especially as part of the School Valued Partnership activity with Kier Group.
“Enriching experiences like this help pupils to connect what they learn in school with real-life opportunities.
“It’s fantastic to see the pupils’ creativity leaving a mark on such an important development for Swansea.”
