South Wales’ leading cultural charity, Awen Cultural Trust, has launched an ambitious new five-year strategy designed to strengthen local communities, support wellbeing and celebrate the area’s cultural life, as the Trust celebrates it’s tenth anniversary.
The plan, Creating Culturally Vibrant Communities Where Everyone Feels They Belong (2025–2030), sets out how Awen will continue to make people’s lives better by focusing on collaboration, sustainability, innovation and social value.
Since its creation in October 2015, Awen has become a cornerstone of community life in Bridgend and across South Wales, managing local theatres, libraries, community centres, Bryngarw House and Country Park, and work-based projects for adults with learning disabilities. Together, these venues and services attract more than one million visits each year.
Looking to the future, Awen’s strategy highlights five priorities:
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A healthy environment that future generations can enjoy.
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Vibrant local places with growing economies and strong identities.
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Opportunities for everyone to feel engaged, with access to skills and support.
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Healthy communities where people can lead better lives.
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A sustainable organisation built on fairness, trust and strong partnerships.
Richard Hughes, Chief Executive at Awen Cultural Trust, said:
“Over the past decade, we have achieved a lot, and we have learnt a lot; from those we engage with and the experiences of those who work at Awen. What we do over the next five years should build on our past ten; listening to our communities, helping nurture cohesiveness, fostering tolerance; and helping to establish a real sense of community togetherness and belonging.”
Chair of Awen, Ava Plowright, added:
“Our new strategy reflects Awen’s unwavering commitment to achieving its purpose of making people’s lives better within the communities we serve. It is not only a reflection of where we want to go, and why, but how we plan to get there over the next five years, by listening, learning and leading with purpose.”
Local residents, partners and funders are being encouraged to work alongside Awen to help deliver its vision.