Dads in Cardiff are enjoying quality time with their children and making the most of an outdoor play space at Ely and Caerau Children’s Centre. The space was created through the Ehangu project, a collaboration between Save the Children Cymru and the local community.
The Dan y Coed garden opened in March 2024 and now hosts the popular Dads’ Club, providing a welcoming space for dads and children to connect, play, and grow together.
Every Saturday morning, dads can come together with their children to enjoy two hours of quality time, free play and snacks, in a welcoming community setting. The club is free for dads to attend along with their children up to eight years of age.
Built by the community
The play space was co-designed by the local community and Save the Children through the ‘Ehangu’ project. Ehangu, which means ‘to expand’ in Welsh, focuses on listening to community needs through a series of workshops, and providing solutions through local partnerships with organisations like ACE (Action in Caerau and Ely) and Cardiff Council. The community identified safe outdoor spaces as a priority, and a seed for the new garden was sown.
Through the Dads’ Club, the space now provides a vibrant environment for children and their dads to explore, relax and play in a space they helped create. Local dad Stephen reflects, ‘Ivy loves all of it, the interaction, the playing with other children...being outside. We got stuck in in moving all this earth, doing the sand pits, digging holes for the poles, which we all didn’t mind. It’s definitely nice to enjoy the space that we were part of helping build.’
Support network
In Dads’ Club, fathers in the area have a safe and welcoming environment to spend precious time with their children, break down stereotypes, and strengthen community bonds. Local dad Thomas says, ‘I’m working all week, and I wanted to spend time with Harry so it’s something we could do just the two of us. And now George is ready to play, he comes along too. The Ehangu project shows what can be achieved when communities come together to support their children.’
Linda Jenkins, Senior Play Worker at the Ely and Caerau Children's Centre added, “We just found that on a Saturday, a lot of our dads weren't working and were able to come along. It’s been amazing and an opportunity for dads to talk and to support each other.”
For further information about the work of Save the Children in Wales please visit Wales | Save the Children UK
