Every time I do something with my daughter it always involves in having to travel outside of our local area. 

On Monday 19th July I decided to travel 40minutes to another borough and town to take my daughter to a ‘Splash pad’. On the way home I thought about how good this would be to have something similar within our own town. Unfortunately there is so much unused land within our community which could mean there is plenty of space to have something like this done. 

After doing some research and getting in touch with local councillors, and friends on social media who has agreed how much of a good idea this is and how well it could impact our community I’ve decided to put this together to get some signatures ready for a meeting to be held. (I am awaiting on a date and time from a local councillor for this) 

I personally believe that bringing something like this to our town of Abertillery in Blaenau Gwent would really benefit our community by:

- It’s outdoors so it’s safer during the COVID pandemic 

- It will enhance children’s well-being 

- It will be more cost effective as no life guards will be needed

- We have nothing else like this within Blaenau Gwent 

- Gives something fun for the children to do whilst gaining key skills at the same time, Water Skills, Social skills, Emotional skills, Cognitive Skills as well as Physical skills. 

- Children are constantly learning through play and this will really help with their learning. 

- It will give children increased interaction with other children of all background and abilities. 

- Will be great for the ones who cannot drive and have somewhere local to go. 

- Will bring more footfall to Abertillery 

- Will bring attraction from people out of town and therefore will also help local shops and increase sales and opportunities for local business’s.

- Adults & parent interaction. 

- Can provide an economic impact with increasing foot traffic as it could be on their way to or from their location. 

- It will help children gain confidence and increase their self-esteem. 

- Help grow kids creativity & imagination.

- Will increase physical activity and help burn off excess energy and calories.

- Will bring people together and create a sense of belonging. 

- Will help boost mood, reduce stress and increase happiness. 

Good health and well-being is a key enabler of successful leaning as outlined in the ‘Health & Well-being area of learning’ in the new curriculum for Wales 2022. 

Children are more active when outside, this will help to build muscle tone, strong bones, enhance their water skills as well as fitness levels. 

Also being outside naturally absorbs Vitamin D. Vitamin D is proven to improve moods and create positive mental attitude.  

I’m really trying my best to push this as far as I can go. If I don’t succeed and the council doesn’t approve then I’ll be proud so say that I have tried. However I am thinking of the positives in hope that due to so much unused land within our community that the council will approve it. I know this isn’t going to be an ‘overnight’ process, and could take a few years, but in hope of all your support and signatures, we will get somewhere with this. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my petition.