A fresh and innovative Welsh-language educational resource is launching to help schoolchildren across north-west Wales connect with Christian pilgrimage, local churches, and their faith heritage. Developed by The Diocese of Bangor, the project centres on a fictional guide named Erin Pererin, who leads pupils on a journey of discovery through stories and activities rooted in their own communities.
Erin Pererin: A Guide for a New Generation
The project is spearheaded by Nia Elain Roberts, the Schools Pilgrimage Engagement Officer for the diocese. She created the character of Erin Pererin, whose name means 'pilgrim' in Welsh, to make the concepts of pilgrimage, saints, and sacred spaces accessible and engaging for young learners. The initiative responds to a growing interest in pilgrimage within Wales, partly inspired by programmes like the BBC’s Pilgrimage series, and aims to invite children to experience it for themselves.
"Pilgrimage has become increasingly popular in schools because children enjoy the excitement of learning beyond the classroom," said Nia Roberts. "Exploring churches, walking pilgrimage routes and taking part in practical activities helps pupils connect with saints, stories and local Christian heritage in a way that feels active and relevant to them."
A Comprehensive Digital Hub for Teachers and Pupils
All resources are hosted on the dedicated PererinYsgolion.cymru website, which acts as a digital hub for the project. Erin Pererin guides pupils through the site's content, which includes:
- Short films featuring churches from across The Diocese of Bangor.
- Ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations and digital books.
- Comprehensive work packs and lesson plans.
These materials are designed to help pupils understand the history, heritage, and role of the church in their local area, while supporting learning about Christian beliefs and values. Critically, all resources are fully mapped to the Curriculum for Wales and can be used across several Areas of Learning and Experience, including Religion, Values and Ethics, Humanities, and Expressive Arts.
Investing in Welsh Language and Local Identity
The development of Pererin Ysgolion underscores a significant commitment to creating high-quality learning resources in the Welsh language that reflect local history, culture, and Christian context. "We wanted children to feel that pilgrimage and church heritage belong to them and their communities," added Nia Roberts. "Using resources in the language of their daily lives helps make those connections feel natural and meaningful."
The website is set to grow, with new resources planned for addition in the coming months. Furthermore, schools can request bespoke materials linked to specific local churches, saints, or pilgrimage routes within the diocese. Carys Thomas, Head Teacher at Ysgol Llandwrog, has welcomed the resource, stating: "Pererin Ysgolion is a valuable cross‑curricular resource. It supports effective planning across Literacy, Numeracy and a range of other curriculum areas... With extensive resources for both teachers and learners, it will provide significant benefit to schools."
