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Exploring our Welsh heritage: Boat people, Roses and Castles, Cardiff

A person holding a photo from Cardiff at a time in history. The image has a building with trees and a canal out front. The photo is being held up in the same location as it was taken. The area still has buildings, but they are different, and the tree is still there. The canal is now a road and pavement

This week we took part in the first of many exciting sessions with the Open University’s Wales REACH project.

Imagine a project that helps people discover the amazing history of their communities.

That is exactly what Wales REACH is all about!

This exciting 2-year project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Wales REACH aims to explore what heritage means to different people across Wales.

A group of individuals with learning disabilities and their support networks sat around a long U shaped table in a room. They are listening to an person doing presentation

Learning together

Taking place at the Open Universities Cardiff office, Innovate Trust, First Choice Housing Association and our friends at Mirus got together to learn about the fascinating history of Cardiff’s heritage.

Individual with a learning disability holding up an image they have coloured in of a castle. The image is bright and colourful and coloured neatly within the lines

We learned about Cardiff’s Custom House Building and its canal system.

We looked at old photos of Cardiff and compared them to their current day scenery too.

Inside, we learnt about the ‘Boat People’ and had a fun time replicating the ‘Roses and Castles’ artwork that decorated their canal boats. 

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the first session, the feedback has been fantastic.

Project participants

The first activity saw people supported by Innovate Trust and Mirus enjoy a fun and engaging discovery session, learning through presentations and historical objects.

Innovate Trust’s outreach focuses on making heritage accessible to individuals with learning disabilities.

Meanwhile, Wales REACH involves a diverse range of participants, including:

  • Communities in Gwynedd with strong links to quarrying and slate mining
  • People with learning disabilities living in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cardiff, and the Vale of Glamorgan (represented by Innovate Trust)
  • Residents of Butetown (Cardiff), one of the UK’s oldest multicultural communities
  • Communities in semi-rural areas of Pembrokeshire
  • Residents of Sandfields in Port Talbot, known for its rich industrial history
Open University project officer with two individuals that Innovate Trust supports

Activity feedback

My favourite thing about Today was learning about our history, I'm very interested in history.

It was very interesting comparing the photos of the past with how it looks now.

Owen in Cardiff Bay holding a photo of the same place in Cardiff Bay in history

I liked finding out about the Canal that used to run through Cardiff. I would love to learn more about the history of South Wales.

Innovate Trust Wales REACH participant sitting at a table with lots of historical pictures of Cardiff in front of them

Project conclusion

The project will conclude with a large exhibition in the National Museum of Wales, showcasing all the hard work everyone has contributed.

We cannot wait!

Judging by the turnout and feedback this week, it feels like it’s going to be a very popular collaboration for 2025.

Wales REACH is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to explore the stories and histories of Welsh communities through the creative arts.