In January 2024, Llwyddo’n Lleol decided to meet the demand after it became clear that a number of young people believed that ‘there is nothing good to do here!’ in ARFOR…
In order to meet the demand, Llwyddo’n Lleol offered 12 enterprising young people a place to join a 6-week training programme to develop ideas that met this challenge – whether that be by starting or developing a social element to a business, organising a festival, or a fun event!
As part of the programme, successful candidates received weekly sessions with experts within the sector focusing on aspects such as marketing, financial management, and attracting customers.
As well as specialist support, participants also received financial support to develop their idea further.
The Enterprising Individuals
Steff Rees
Walking Club for young people
By receiving the support of the Mentro initiative’s social events programme, Steff set up a walking club for young people in Ceredigion. The idea was inspired by the fact that similar clubs exist in other areas, but Steff saw that there was nothing of this sort locally for young people.
Ceredigion
Megan Plumb
Modern Dance Workshops
Megan’s aim by being part of the social events programme was to develop a Modern Dance project through the medium of Welsh which would offer workshops for children and young people, a competition in her area, and an opportunity for contributors to perform.
Carmarthenshire
Rhiannon Gwyn
Social Group for Artists
Rhiannon Gwyn, a young artist from Gwynedd, applied to be part of the Mentro initiative’s social events programme with the intention of creating a social group for self-employed artists and creative people in Gwynedd.
Gwynedd
Lloyd Henry
Cooking club for families
Lloyd is a teacher who has already run several cookery clubs for children between 8 and 16 years old. With the support of the Mentro initiative’s social events programme, Lloyd hoped to pilot similar clubs for adults and families.
Carmarthenshire
Elain Gwynedd
UMCA Festival - 50 years
Elain Gwynedd, President of Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Aberystwyth, decided to be part of the social events programme in order to hold the Gŵyl UMCA 50 event in June 2024 to mark the student’s union’s fiftieth anniversary. The festival would invite former UMCA members who have contributed to the Welsh music scene.
Ceredigion
Hedydd Ioan
A Night for Local Artists
Hedydd Ioan has run a record label, INOIS, for two years with a friend who has already been through the Llwyddo’n Lleol process. Hedydd applied for the social events programme as he wanted to hold an evening that gives a platform to the creativity of local artists, and show that it is possible to work in the arts “while staying at home”.
Hedydd said, “It’ll be an evening to see new art: from music to films to visual art, and an opportunity to celebrate and stimulate new ideas for a young audience.”
Gwynedd
Gwyneth Morris
Gŵyl Canol Dre
Gwyneth works with Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr organising the Gŵyl Canol Dre event. Gwyneth wanted to be part of the programme to gain experience in organising activities with the hope that the money will be of help with the costs of the festival.
Carmarthenshire
Caryl Burke
Comedy Night
Caryl is a comedian who wants to hold a regular Comedy Night that would give individuals who are new to comedy a chance to give it a go, and for those who are more experienced to experiment with new material. Caryl Burke applied to be part of the social events programme in order to organise more events.
Gwynedd
Dylan Jones
Ffit Cymru Sessions
Dylan applied to be part of the training programme with the hope of holding weekly fitness sessions for families, calling the programme ‘Ffit Teulu’ (Family Fitness). This is an opportunity for families to raise their fitness level and to socialise. If the weekly classes were a success, the hope would then be to hold a “fun” event e.g. a sports day at the end of the period.
Carmarthenshire