Community shaken five years ago
Five years ago, a community perched high on a hill overlooking Swansea city centre experienced a traumatic event that shook it deeply.
During two hours of violent disorder, cars were set on fire, homes vandalised, and both residents and police were attacked. The area was quickly labelled a "war zone".
However, residents of Mayhill and Townhill emphasize that the perception of their estate contrasts sharply with the reality of their daily lives in the area affectionately known as "the hill".
Having reported from Swansea for over 40 years, I believed I was familiar with the hill but sought to understand more about living there. I arranged to meet Leanne Dower, a lifelong Townhill resident.
We met as Leanne was heading to work at The Phoenix Centre, a community hub she now manages. Our journey took longer than anticipated as Leanne greeted nearly everyone we passed, either stopping to chat or offering a cheerful "Hi, you alright?" to pedestrians and drivers alike.
"I love it, absolutely love Townhill,"she said.
Leanne, 48, began working at the Phoenix when she was 23 and a single mother to her one-year-old daughter.
"There's good and bad everywhere and definitely here the good outweighs the bad. This is a positive community,"she explained.
"I always say if I won the lottery I wouldn't move off Townhill. I love the views and the community spirit and the fact that everybody comes together when things are not good."
That neighbourly spirit was severely tested five years ago.
The 2021 riot and community response
On 20 May 2021, the close-knit community made headlines after violent disorder erupted in Mayhill, drawing condemnation from then Home Secretary Priti Patel.
The unrest began following a peaceful vigil for a local teenager but escalated rapidly. Homes were attacked, cars smashed, and police officers were pelted with stones, bricks, and bottles. Residents hid in fear within their homes.
Eighteen individuals were subsequently jailed for their involvement in the riot.
The local community responded quickly, with many rushing to assist in clean-up efforts and supporting those affected.
Leanne said she "never felt prouder of the way the community here pulled together that day."
What motivated such a strong community response? What united people from all parts of the estate to come together?
History and environment of the estate
The estate is among the first purpose-built council housing developments in Wales, constructed during the inter-war years.
Houses are well spaced with large lawns and gardens. The area boasts abundant greenery, including hedges, trees, and play areas.
It offers million-dollar views across Swansea Bay; on clear days, residents say one can see as far as Devon.
At the estate’s heart, in Paradise Park, stands The Phoenix Centre, a focal point for the community for 25 years. It was established to alleviate poverty and promote regeneration.
The Phoenix Centre and community impact
At the centre’s reception, I met Dr Ceri Phelps, principal lecturer in applied psychology at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD).
She shared that her late father, Roy, was involved with the Phoenix Centre from its inception, serving as chairman and director.
Dr Phelps is currently gathering stories and photos documenting the centre’s 25-year history.
"It gives me a sense of hope and wellbeing every time I come here. This place has the ability to change people's lives,"she said.
One beneficiary of the centre’s work is Zoe Murphy, born and raised in Townhill. Despite becoming a mother at 18, Zoe pursued higher education, enrolling at what was then Swansea Institute of Higher Education (now UWTSD), graduating in 2002 with a BA in English Studies, Drama and Media.
I met Zoe at the weekly youth club she helps run at the Phoenix.
"It's a working class community here, people who have got jobs and have gone on to have professions and who contribute to society in so many ways.
There's a wide variety of people here and not just what people tend to think might go on in a council estate in terms of employment and socio-economic factors."
Community development and regeneration
Mike Dourke, the community centre’s first manager and now a local councillor, is well acquainted with the area.
"It's always been a fantastic community, but in the 90s there was evidence of high levels of statistical deprivation here.
Ten per cent of the housing stock was empty. People were leaving the estate because of crime or fear of crime."
At that time, the European Union launched the Urban Community Initiative Pilot.
Swansea’s successful bid led to a significant regeneration initiative on the hill, including the establishment of the Phoenix Centre, the first economic development centre of its kind in Wales.
"Since the centre has opened we have seen a steady decrease in crime and antisocial behaviour on the estate,"Mike said.
"This centre meets the needs of local people with innovation and enthusiasm and is a model that could apply to every community with higher levels of socioeconomic issues."
The next generation’s perspective
To understand the views of younger residents, I met Sebastian Wlodarczyk, 18, who works as a teaching assistant at a local school and volunteers at the new local skateboard park.
"There's a community feel on the estate,"he said.
"I was brought up here. Everyone knows each other. I am hoping to stay local and work local."
Peter Owen, headmaster of the nearby Townhill Community School, echoed these sentiments.
"People here want the best for their children and families and fulfil dreams. There are so many success stories of young people and families that have come from this area that are doing incredibly well."
Everyday community care
Back at the Phoenix, Leanne Russell was preparing her popular English breakfasts for customers.
"I have lived here for 42 years, it's lovely, everyone gets together when needed. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else,"she told me.
She spoke fondly of her customers, noting that they know and care for one another.
"If we haven't seen someone for a while, we get worried and we ask one of the PCSOs (police community support officers) to go down there just to check in on them and make sure they are OK."
Looking out for neighbours and friends is a common practice here, and this people-focused ethos is gaining recognition from other communities across Wales.
Recognition and research
The area is featured in a new report by the Wales Centre for Public Policy examining experiences of poverty stigma in Swansea and the role of local public services.
Michelle Hopkins, a community researcher involved in the project, commented:
"This would be amazing if the efforts and the principles here in Townhill could be replicated across not just Swansea but Wales.
"The Phoenix is people based and people run. There is a heart to it."
Support and resilience
As I prepared to leave the Phoenix, I met Sandra Hayden, 63, at the weekly meeting of the local grieving group she has run for three years.
She described the community and the Phoenix Centre as her "lifeline", second only to family and children.
With tears in her eyes, she spoke about her son Dale, who took his own life in August 2008 at age 24, leaving behind a young daughter.
"We help each other, that's what this community is about,"she said.
"When you are down and you think nothing is going to go right for me, somebody in this community will come forward."
Sandra then returned to her volunteering duties at the community shop.
"Somebody could be coming up to the shop and they are struggling for food for their children or for themselves. I help them, but they are also helping me."
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, a list of organisations that can provide help and support is available at BBC Action Line.
