SINCE its launch in the Spring of 2016, the Our Back Yard project has made a huge impact across the community of Connah's Quay.

The Lottery-backed programme, which supports the creation of green space, will bring nearly £650,000 of funding to Connah’s Quay over the next five years, with those responsible for the project's delivery already crediting it with teaching people new skills and crafts as they begin to find new ways to experience the outdoors.

"It's been a great start," enthuses project co-ordinator Richard Aram. "This first year is all about getting volunteers and community groups involved and finding out what people want from the project.

"There are a real range of green spaces in Connah's Quay but some of them are in a really poor state and need renovating and tidying up. So far we've been working in six key areas and we're hoping the project can make a massive difference to all of them."

From making soup around the fire, finding fairy homes, discovering history, heritage and wildlife, cycling and creating tree 'boggarts', Our Back Yard have hosted 15 family events with fun activities for all ages and abilities between March and September 2018 as well as cleaning up and reduce the litter around the town to make it a safer place for wildlife and improve the quality of the environment for everyone.

A total of 68 children have also taken part during their school time and have volunteered 259 hours to improve their local environment. Flintshire Local Voluntary Council have also joined in with their supported learning groups and together the groups have improved access, cleared litter, watched birds, been on wildlife walks and made bird boxes.

"These green spaces are vital on so many levels," continues Richard. "It can be as basic as giving people somewhere to exercise or relax and there are proven benefits linking them to health and well-being."

The group has a growing number of regular volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, which meet every Wednesday at locations around Connah's Quay. So far the champions have taken part in 37 practical action days to improve the environment and learn about the wildlife in the green spaces around the town. They have removed 180 bags of rubbish and spent over 2,000 hours of their time collectively volunteering for their community through Our Back Yard. Some of the volunteers even go out in their own time to litter pick in their local area when they can.

"In many ways one of the best things about the project," says Richard. "A lot of volunteers are socially excluded and this might be the first time they've been outside for a long time and they're also keeping feet, socialising and contributing to society so on a number of levels it's benefitting them and benefitting the community of Connah's Quay."

On the Wednesday I meet Richard at Wepre Park, a group of volunteers are being shown how they can maintain the Heritage Trail which runs through the park with coastal ranger Mike Taylor.

"We're waymarking a link from the coast path up to Wepre Park," explained Mike. "We've had the opportunity to work with volunteers from the Our Back Yard meaning we can supply the tools, the knowledge and the know how and they can learn how to waymark a route.

"Working with these guys has been amazing and it's already paying back into the community - it's working really well."

Mike shows how a number of the large two foot posts marking the route have fallen into disrepair and demonstrates how to paint them and make them look like new.

"I've been volunteering with my son who has special needs," says Alison Prytherch, of Queensferry, as she prepares to saw into one of the posts. "We both do it together to get us out of the house and we really enjoy it.

"It's great to learn new skills together and we're also improving the environment around here - the area has improved so much in recent months and this park looks beautiful."

With the Our Back Yard project approaching the end of its first year, Richard confirms there are plenty more plans and programmes on the horizon.

"As we establish links within the community more projects will come about to help improve the green spaces around the town," he adds. "There are consultation plans in place for the developments due to happen in Golftyn Park over the next year and meetings have begun to discuss the future for some of the other sites as well.

"The digital trail iBeacon network for the town will be getting underway, interpreting the history and heritage and natural environments in Connah's Quay. We have a really good base now to take forward to year two with some really exciting projects.

"By working together with local people, schools, community groups and other organisations it has been possible to make this fantastic progress, to improve our environment, create a more empowered and cohesive community and improve the health and well being of people in Connah's Quay."

To learn more about how to get involved with the Back Yard Project call 01978 757524 or email: info@groundworknorthwales.org.uk or click on www.groundworknorthwales.org.uk