Ysgol Pen Rhos pupils first Bouygues UK school ambassadors for Pentre Awel

Nine primary school pupils from Ysgol Pen Rhos in Llanelli have become Bouygues UK ambassadors for the Pentre Awel construction project. As the lead contractor for the scheme, Bouygues UK is keen for the children to share their ideas and help shape the project, which in turn will enable them to see first-hand the work that goes into the construction process.

The pupils, from years five and six, were able to find out more about the project as part of Bouygues UK’s commitment to provide significant social value and engagement to surrounding schools, colleges and universities.

The prestigious and innovative, multi-million pound development which is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council is the largest regeneration scheme in South West Wales. It will bring together life science and business innovation, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities at the 83-acre Delta Lakes site on the Llanelli coastline.

The development will include a new state-of-the-art leisure centre and hydrotherapy pool together with education, research and business development space; a clinical research and delivery centre; and a well-being skills centre. Externally, Pentre Awel will enjoy landscaped outdoor public spaces for recreation, walking and cycling.

The Ysgol Pen Rhos pupils – Joe, Lena, Ellie, Michael and Chanelle from year six and Tyler, Lukasz, Mckenzie and Isabella from year five – all took part in a session to find out more about their role as an ambassador and the part they can play in learning about construction and the Pentre Awel development.

Nina Williams, Bouygues UK’s social value advisor for Pentre Awel said, “The ambassadors are a key part of our project delivery. This is a great opportunity for the pupils to engage with the project, think creatively, and express their ideas freely. We want their experience to feel empowering, guiding us in what they want to learn about during the construction of Pentre Awel, and how we can help do this. They have already shared some brilliant ideas with us and we are looking forward to working with them as the project takes shape.”

The children will make regular visits to the site to see the progress being made and will work on school projects centred around construction and building.

Headteacher Joe Cudd said the children were immediately interested in learning more from Pentre Awel’s Project Director, Peter Sharpe.

He said: “The day was fantastic to be able to work alongside Nina and offer solutions and ideas to the project. We think this opportunity for young people to be listened to about their futures in Llanelli has real impact. Peter offered an aspirational insight into his role in Bouygues UK which is important to our children. We look forward to the next visit.”

Cllr. Gareth John, Carmarthenshire County Council Cabinet member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “It was great to hear how enthusiastic and inquisitive the student ambassadors were at Ysgol Pen Rhos. Pentre Awel is a development for current and future generations, and we hope it will play a central role in pupils’ learning and developmental journey. The student ambassador scheme is a unique opportunity to become involved in the project from the outset and learn about the different roles during the construction and opening phases. I look forward to seeing the scheme rolled out across more local schools.”

The Student Ambassador initiative is part of a broader programme of community benefits to be delivered during the development of Zone 1 of Pentre Awel to realise social, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits. This includes targeted recruitment and training, community engagement (such as community ambassadors), STEM activities and supply chain engagement.

The truly collaborative scheme is being delivered for the local community by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Universities and colleges and is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million). It aims to create around 1,800 jobs over 15 years and boost the local economy by more than £450m.