• Criw Creu is a national project led by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru with support from Literature Wales and Urdd Gobaith Cymru, for children who have additional learning needs. 

    In 2022, students from four different secondary schools participated in the project; Ysgol Bro Pedr, Ysgol Tryfan Bangor's 'Criw Hwb', students from Ysgol Penweddig Life Skills Group, as well as a gang from Ysgol Plasmawr Cardiff.

    This was the first time for many of these students to have the opportunity to work with professional artists and performers. Drama workshops were held with our Participation Coordinator, Sian Elin. Casi Wyn, Wales' Welsh Children's Poet Laureate, collaborated with the pupils on original lyrics and poetry, thanks to the support of Literature Wales. There were animation workshops with Sioned Medi Evans of SMEI, and also an opportunity to record music with musicians and some of the fantastic Urdd officers like Marged Gwenllian, Osian Rhys, Caryl Griffiths, Seimon Thomas a Lewys Wyn Jones. 

The project started with a conversation with Ysgol Bro Pedr, Lampeter, discussing the opportunity to meet a need in that school, and sponsorship from Western Power Distribution and Culture Step, through Arts and Business. Read the story here

Shortly thereafter it grew to become a national project, with workshops in Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Bangor. In the videos below, see the work created by pupils from these areas:

“It has been an incredible opportunity for our pupils to work on a short film originating from their own ideas. It’s wonderful to watch them, and to see them developing ideas, growing in confidence, and working together through the medium of Welsh in every session. They are all enjoying themselves and ask me every day when the next session will be.”  Stephanie Williams, Ysgol Plasmawr, Cardiff. 

“Our pupils are very eager to take part in the scheme, as the activities have been created specifically for them, and that is indeed a special opportunity.”  Angharad Evans, Ysgol Penweddig, Aberystwyth. 

We can't wait for the project to return, and there are some very exciting things to come! We are looking forward to sharing more about the plans for Criw Creu 2023 with you all, and to seeing all the incredible work that will be created by the young people this year.

Four young people sit around a table. They all wear a school uniform and Two of them wear face masks. They are all looking at each other. On the table there is a projector and a laptop. There is a whiteboard behind them with unclear blue writing on. On the walls behind them various pieces of paper with colourful writing have been stuck on.
3 young girls in school uniform and a young woman in formal clothing sit around a table. 2 of them are wearing masks lowered down around their chin. Two of their mouths are open mid-conversation. One of the girls is holding a pencil, and they are looking at a piece of paper that is on the table.
4 young people wearing school uniforms are sat in a classroom. One of them is a young female in a wheelchair. Behind them two young women are sat on top of a table. They wear lanyards around their necks and are dressed formally. Everyone in the image is looking into the camera and smiling.
Interior of a busy classroom. The walls are covered in multicoloured informational posters and pupils’ work. A mix of pupils and teachers are sitting in a circle together. Everyone is looking at one of the individuals who is mid conversation. Many of them are wearing face masks.
Three young male pupils are sat together on a table. They all wear a school uniform and one is wearing a black face mask. They are all smiling and looking directly into the camera.
Two young pupils in school uniform and a young woman in formal clothing are sitting on the floor of a classroom. There are pieces of paper and craft supplies on the floor around them. Two are staring down at a piece of work one of the pupils has created, and one is cutting a shape from paper using scissors.
Interior of a busy classroom. A mix of pupils and older individuals are sat on chairs in a circle. One young woman is sat on the floor writing on a large piece of paper and many of the pupils are looking at her. In the background some of the pupils are talking amongst themselves.

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