East Wales

A weatherproof box where anyone can leave books, toys or kitchen bits and take something else: sustainability can be that simple. What matters is a good spot, permission from the owner or the council, and a few people w…

Not everyone finds smartphones, online bookings or long forms easy. Often a patient half hour is all it takes to help someone. Important: never take over passwords or bank details, go through it together step by step in…

Whether it's a part-time job in a café, delivering leaflets or tutoring: your first job brings not just money but confidence too. Make sure you get a written contract and that your hours fit around school or college. Wh…

A driving licence is a big step towards independence for many, but it takes time and money. Compare offers beforehand, study the theory regularly in small chunks and stay relaxed during lessons. Bikes and public transpo…

Every place has spots only locals know: a bench with a view, a courtyard full of flowers, a little path along the water. Which hidden corner of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough would you show a newcomer? Let us in on the s…

Parents and grandparents know it well: not all playgrounds are equal. Which playground in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough is your favourite, and why? Share your tips with other families!

Football, table tennis, swimming or a walking group: clubs are often the best way to meet people. Which club are you part of in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, and are you looking for new members? Give your club a quick …

Since 2017, the Valleys Taskforce have developed many schemes and initiatives to support communities in the South Wales Valleys. We spoke to Landscape, Culture and Identity Convenor for the Valleys Regional Park, Dan Lo…

=== Pre-industrial Merthyr === What is now Merthyr Tydfil town centre was originally little more than a village. An ironworks existed in the parish in the Elizabethan period, but it did not survive beyond the early 1640…

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough (Welsh: Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful) is a county borough in the south-east of Wales. In 2025, it had an estimated population of 58,362, making it the smallest local authority in Wales …

When you go on holiday or fall ill, someone needs to look after the cat, dog or rabbit. Neighbours are ideal: short distances and a familiar face for the animal. It's best to meet beforehand for a quick visit. Are you l…

For some older people the trip to the supermarket is hard work, especially when it's icy or very hot. If you're going shopping anyway, it's often easy to pick something up for someone else. A note in the hallway or a qu…

Guitar, drums, singing or beats on your laptop: music brings people together. Many towns have rehearsal rooms, music schools or open-mic nights where you can try things out. And bands are often looking for exactly the i…

Looking for an apprenticeship can feel huge at first. A good start: think about what you enjoy and ask local businesses directly about a work placement. Many companies welcome speculative applications even when nothing …

Fresh vegetables, farm cheese or honey from nearby just taste better when you know where they come from. Where do you like to buy local produce in Blaenau Gwent, at the weekly market or straight from the farm? Share you…

The playground, the ice-cream shop, the walk to school: many places hold memories that stay with us for life. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of growing up in Blaenau Gwent? We'd love to hear yo…

Sometimes it's the cake, sometimes the view, sometimes just the staff who remember your name. Where do you like to have your coffee or tea in Blaenau Gwent? Share your tips in the comments!

Blaenau Gwent (; Welsh: [ˈbləi.nai]) is a county borough in the south-east of Wales. It borders Monmouthshire and Torfaen to the east, Caerphilly to the west and Powys to the north. Its main towns are Abertillery, Brynm…

Not every kind of help needs tools or a car. Sometimes a walk, a phone call or a coffee together is exactly what someone is missing, especially people who live alone. Would you like to give some time for a chat in Isle …

Almost every neighbourhood is home to people with many different first languages. In a language exchange two people learn from each other: half an hour in one language, half an hour in the other. Real friendships often …