A community swap shop has officially opened at a Brecon primary school.

The Brecon Community Swap Shop, created by Green Man, was opened by Hollywood actor Iwan Rheon at Priory Church in Wales School.

The project allows families to swap children's and adults' clothes, school uniforms and essential items.

It will also serve as a safe social space to access services and educational support for pupils and healthy breakfasts and snacks for the whole family.

The Swap Shop, which is housed in a refurbished shipping container, was designed, installed and funded by Green Man.

It is intended to be a hub for the local community to access essential items, key services, and a safe social space.

Claire Pugh, headteacher of Priory Church in Wales School, explained the thinking behind the Swap Shop.

Fiona Stewart, Managing Director and Owner of Green Man (left) and Joana Rodrigues, Development Manager at Green Man Trust (right)  (Image: Jake Rowels)

She said: "Brecon is one of the most deprived areas within Powys, and 37 per cent of our children at Priory have free school meals, and we are witnessing increasing inequality caused by the growing wealth and age gap.

"The statistics are shocking: 23.4 per cent of children live in poverty, 55 per cent of adults are paid below the national average, 35 per cent are over 60, which is 5 per cent higher than the national average.

"There is very limited affordable housing or jobs which would appeal to young people, which is why so many are leaving.

"All of this compounds an increase in the climate crisis as poverty divides us and the climate crisis can only be averted if society and the environment thrive together."

Mrs Pugh also explained how the cost of living crisis is impacting those on low incomes, making it difficult for them to afford school uniforms and other essential items.

She said: "It is very tough financially for some in our community and we are seeing more children coming to school hungry, going to bed cold and increasing social and health problems which are the inevitable outcome of poverty.

"What we experience at Priory Church School is just a snapshot of the challenges hitting many rural areas in Powys.

"A well thought out strategy and action urgently needs to happen to stop this negative cycle and projects such as the Swap Shop are essential to start making that change."

She also expressed her gratitude to the Green Man team for their efforts, saying: "I want to thank the Green Man designers, artists, illustrators, painters, health and safety officers, engineers and carpenters who created something so magical and cool for our Brecon Community.

"Also the many festival attendees from all over the world that donate to the Green Man charity each year.

"The children and parents are going to love it, as a service but also because of the care and thought that has been put into it with them in mind by Green Man and of course Fi who directed the delivery of all of this."

She also said: "The Swap Shop is one of many projects we planned to deliver and sadly the others are no longer possible now the farm has gone.

"The jobs, environment and charitable projects would have been transformative for Brecon and the wider community, especially for young people and our future generations.

"It’s so frustrating that this nearly happened and there is no alternative project which would touch what was on offer when it delivered what was so clearly needed.

"Despite this, we were all delighted that Green Man made sure that our beautiful Swap Shop is here to stay and the kettle will always be on for a cuppa and a chat for all in our community."