Since 2023 artist and creative Iola Ynyr has been running a workshop series entitled Gwledda (meaning ‘to feast’) within the community of Rhosgadfan. Iola’s project aims include increasing participants’ self-worth, building confidence to take creative risks and promote well-being rooted in the land.
Iola has been achieving these aims by running activities with local partners. Within six months of Gwledda, Ysgol Rhosgadfan planted over 30 trees on the school grounds with North Wales Wildlife Trust. Participants learnt about carbon cycle with GwyrddNi, writing poetry in response which were shared at a ‘feast’ event in March 2023.
As part of the project, the creative facilitators are receiving mentoring to help develop their projects. clare e potter, Iola’s mentor described the experience:
“Creating safe spaces for people to be vulnerable creatively and then gain strength and use the creativity as power and voice to invite others in. It’s democratic and radical!”
Iola continues to run sessions in Cae’r Gors (novelist and short story writer, Kate Roberts’ former home) with an intergenerational group and welcomes Welsh learners.
Together they will build bug houses, go on community walks, and consider the link between the Welsh language and the land.
You can find out more about Iola’s experiences by reading her blog published on the Literature Wales website.
For those considering working with communities on the Climate and Nature emergency theme can read Iola’s Guide to developing and running community projects on the Climate and Nature emergency.
This project is supported locally by GwyrddNi, Ysgol Rhosgadfan and the North Wales Wildlife Trust, and nationally by Literature Wales and WWF Cymru.
Photo credits: Lindsay Walker Photography