THE makers of a chair designed to get people from different places and generations to talk has won a top award.

The Cadair Sgwrs (Chatting Chair) was created by a Conwy housing association and schoolchildren, guided by artist Catrin Williams and bespoke furniture maker Rhodri Owen, as part of a project to combat loneliness.

It is made out of polystyrene and fibre glass in what is a change of direction for carpenter and furniture maker Rhodri, of Ysbyty Ifan, who also made the Bardic Chair for the 2017 National Eisteddfod. He traditionally works with wood.

The chair first appeared at the National Eisteddfod in Llanrwst when the Archdruid Myrddin ap Dafydd wrote a special englyn – a four-line strict metre verse – in praise of the project.

It has now been honoured at the prestigious Arts & Business Cymru Awards where it crowned in the community category.

The star-studded virtual ceremony included guests from as far afield as Los Angeles and Australia and actors such as Rakie Ayola, Rhys Ifans and Suzanne Packer.

“Everybody who took part put their heart and soul into the project so it will mean a great deal to them and deservedly so," said Nerys Veldhuizen, Cartrefi Conwy’s older person's engagement officer.

“The idea is that we can use the Cadair Sgwrs to strengthen our local communities and the bond that exists between our tenants.

“It will be a very valuable tool in combating loneliness because it encourages people to talk to each other.

“Our aim is to create new social networks and enable people from different backgrounds and ages, who may not otherwise meet, to come together and form connections and friendships.”

The vibrantly coloured chair is enveloped in a stunning outer surface comprising a compilation of more than 80 artworks created by tenants of Cartrefi Conwy and Clwyd Alyn housing associations, members of Llanrwst Men’s Shed group and pupils from Ysgol Bro Gwydir, Llanrwst.

Cartrefi Conwy managing director Katie Clubb said: “We are all very proud that this wonderful, intergenerational project has been honoured at this prestigious event.

“The Cadair Sgwrs is a perfect illustration of how the arts can be used to enrich people’s lives and make a real difference to their quality of life.”

During the project they met at Hafan Gwydir Extra Care housing, Llanrwst, to produce a selection of artwork which was collated together to form the unique overall design now permanently embossed onto the chair. Their artwork was based around the key themes of what makes them happy and what community means to them.

Arts & Business Cymru’s chief executive Rachel Jones said: “For over a quarter of a century, the Awards have encouraged, acknowledged and celebrated exemplary and innovative partnerships between the private sector and the arts that benefit communities across the country.“