21/5/2021

Two brand new outdoorstorytelling trails, delivered as part of Cardiff's Child Friendly City programme, will open to the public from Saturday 29May.

Created by Cardiff based storyteller Tamar Williams and Year 6 pupils fromSt Mary the Virgin CIW Primary School, the story "Flotsam & Jetsam" islocated at Cardiff Bay and is about asmall magical sea-dragon who gets trapped in the Bay and can't get home.

https://www.childfriendlycardiff.co.uk/projects/story_trails/cardiff_bay/

Forest Farm will host the "Smallest & Bravest", a tale about a small mouse who embarks on a journey to save the forest by finding the name of ‘old tree'who has been long-forgotten. Remember some paper and drawing materials - this trail is interactive.

https://www.childfriendlycardiff.co.uk/projects/story_trails/forest_farm/

The bespoke trails are the latest in a series of four, each depicting tales of Welsh myth and legend and aim to increase outdoor play opportunities by encouraging children and families to have fun outdoors whilst engaging with the environment around them.

As well as taking children on a journey through the story accessible via QR codes, they will also be encouraged to make bark rubbings, build with sticks and discover secret places within the parks.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "Outdoor play is an integral part of a child's development, helping them to use their imagination, engage with their surroundings and have fun.

"The importance of outdoor play has been a focus during the pandemic and this is one of many Child Friendly Cardiff schemes which will help to promote health and wellbeing amongst young families, whilst providing the chance for children to get to know more about the city they live in through sustainable play opportunities."

The first trail opened in March and is located at Bute Park, starting with a QR code at the Castle Street entrance near the Pettigrew Tea Rooms. Bute Park Story Trail : Child Friendly Cardiff

The fourth trail will launch later in spring and will be located at Parc Cefn Onn.

Cardiff's Child Friendly vision, places the rights and voices of children and young people at the heart of the city's policies, strategies and services and this is one of several projects to be delivered through the All Wales Play Opportunities Grant which supports and increases play opportunities, in line with the Cardiff Play Sufficiency Assessment.

Cllr Merry added: "Children and young people in Cardiff will form an integral part of the city's approach to recovery and renewal from the impact of the pandemic and we have recently set out our recovery plan which has been developed with children and young people at its heart.

"It features plans for greater partnership working across various council services and with partners, to ensure that Cardiff is a ‘Great Place to Grow Up' where the voices, needs and rights of all children and young people are respected."

Recently, the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) recognised the pioneering role that Cardiff Council has played as one of the first to join its Child Friendly Cities and Communities programme and that good progress has been made in embedding children's rights into the Council's strategies and the way in which our young people are supported and nurtured.

As a result, UNICEF UK has recommended that Cardiff submits for Child Friendly City recognition later this year.

Tamar Eluned Williams trained in theatre and worked as a director and drama practitioner before becoming a full-time storyteller. She now travels around the world telling the myths and legends of Wales in both English and Welsh and works in the Welsh Valleys using stories to build creativity, aspirations, and confidence. To find out more about Tamar please visitwww.tamarelunedwilliams.com

Available in Welsh and English, the stories have been recorded in partnership with Wales Millennium Centre.