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How do we build a thriving, connected and sustainable region where people, places and the planet can flourish? The 4theRegion Podcast explores that question through real conversations with the people who are shaping the future of South West Wales.
4theRegion is a cross-sector movement bringing together businesses, community leaders, organisations, educators and residents who care about the wellbeing of our communities and want to create positive change. Through our events, projects and partnerships, we create space for collaboration, honest discussion and shared action.
This podcast is a way to stay connected to the wide range of voices, ideas and initiatives emerging across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. You’ll hear from people working on everything from wellbeing economics to local food, renewable energy, community wealth building, youth empowerment, regional identity and the green economy.
Our goal is simple: strengthen connection across the region so that everyone feels more informed, more inspired and more able to contribute to a happier, healthier and more resilient future. There is so much happening here, so many reasons to feel hopeful, and so many people trying to make a difference.
South West Wales is an incredible place to live and work. By tuning in, we hope you’ll discover ideas, insights and a renewed sense of possibility — because the future of our region really is in our hands.
Episodes
Jul 12, 2021
Jul 12, 2021
20 min
This week we're hearing from inspiring young people from Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. The future of our region is in the hands of the younger generation, and we're interested in what motivates young people to get involved in changemaking projects and how we can amplify their voices and encourage them to become facilitators of positive change.
We hear from Neath Port Talbot Youth Council member Lola, who has been involved in projects such as Sustainable Schools, which aims to reduce plastic in school canteens and a pilot project involving fruit trees within schools. We also hear from Swansea-based young people Jed, Elliot and Jake who have used their voice to successfully campaign for and fundraise a skatepark in Bishopston by using community collaboration to make their voice heard within the local area.
Jul 5, 2021
Jul 5, 2021
49 min
It's currently an exciting time to be in Swansea city centre with many developments taking place as part of massive investments, including the Swansea Bay City Deal. We spoke to a few of those involved the transformation of the city centre, including the digital arena, the restoration of the Albert Hall, new and existing community, maker and co-working spaces as well as schemes such as Swansea BID!
Jun 28, 2021
Jun 28, 2021
29 min
Tegryn Jones is the Chair of the Pembrokeshire Public Services Board and Chief Executive at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. We spoke to Tegryn about his involvement with the Pembrokeshire Public Services Board, how the PSB works to improve the longer term well-being of people and communities in Pembrokeshire and key opportunity areas for development across Pembrokeshire.
Public Services Boards (PSBs) seek to bring members of public services, third sector and private sectors together in order to guide the process of delivering key elements of the Well being of Future Generations (Wales) Act and improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.
Find out more about Pembrokeshire Public Services Board: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/public-services-board
Jun 21, 2021
Jun 21, 2021
19 min
Jayne Woodman set up The Menopause Team in 2019 to assist employers and employees in establishing significantly better menopause outcomes for women and organisations. With Menopausal women becoming one of the fastest growing demographic in the UK workforce, The Menopause Team provide workshops and strategies to help organisations become more resilient, understanding and supportive.
We spoke to Jayne about the importance of raising awareness, empowering women to thrive in the workplace and enabling employers and colleagues to better understand how to support menopausal employees.
The Menopause Team run awareness sessions, workshops, coaching and provide resources to empower employees and employers. You can find more information on their website: www.themenopauseteam.com
Jun 10, 2021
Jun 10, 2021
26 min
Sweet Pickings Swansea / Cyfoeth y Coed Abertawe is a community group tackling food poverty and waste by harvesting unpicked fruit (mainly apples) from trees around the Swansea area. Sweet Pickings have partnered with FareShare to collect and distribute the fruit to 24 organisations addressing food poverty, including Matt's Cafe, the East Side Food Bank and Unity in Diversity and have identified over 70 tree sites to harvest.
We spoke to Anna Williams about the Sweet Pickings Swansea initiative, the rapid growth of the project and the process behind setting up and running a crowdfunding drive. Sweet Pickings Swansea is currently fundraising for equipment, insurance, publicity materials and more to ensure the project continues to grow and make great things happen in Swansea.
Are you able to help Sweet Pickings' crowdfund? Any amount will be greatly appreciated as they continue to grow and make this dream into a reality.
Jun 7, 2021
Jun 7, 2021
22 min
Purple Shoots Business Lending (“Purple Shoots”) is a not-for-profit micro finance organisation and a registered charity that have been helping people to start their own micro businesses for over six years.
We spoke to founder Karen Davies, about the beginnings of Purple Shoots, the success stories and her passion for helping others and uncovering hidden entrepreneurs.
Purple Shoots: https://purpleshoots.org/
May 31, 2021
May 31, 2021
27 min
Oriel Science is an exciting project that uses research from Swansea University to engage with the community and inspire people of all ages. Oriel Science had previously launched their first community-engagement project in September 2016 with a pop-up science exhibition, which welcomed over 16,000 members of the public during its 100 opening days. Now Oriel Science is bringing science to the community once again in their new venue on Castle Street, Swansea.
In this episode, Professor Chris Allton, Director of Oriel Science shares the project's aspirations to inspire future generations and to make science accessible. Chris also takes us on a small tour of the exhibition, showcasing some of the fascinating displays and work from Swansea University! Oriel Science is open on Saturdays and Sundays and during Bank Holidays and School Holidays from 10am - 4pm.
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
25 min
With many great things happening in Swansea including the City Deal, the new digital arena and other major construction projects, it's the perfect time for the return of TEDxSwansea. TED is a nonprofit organisation devoted to 'Ideas Worth Spreading' with many independently run events across the world.
We spoke to organiser Mark Davies about his ambitions to grow TEDxSwansea to become a flagship event where local talent will have a platform to inspire, educate and entertain. Mark aims to put Swansea on the map with TED and host inspiring talks that our region will be proud of.
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
39 min
Today's episode features an inspiring conversation with a friend and member of our alliance Louis Halton Davies, founder of Web Marketer, which is a Carmarthenshire-based digital marketing consultancy.
Having graduated university in graphic design, Louis honed in on his passion for digital marketing, which led him to management of Visit Swansea Bay, taking the website from 100k annual users to over 300k by implementing his skills and enthusiasm for the region before becoming an entrepreneur and creating Web Marketer.
In this episode, hear how Louis came to set up his own business in South West Wales, what he's learned along the way, what challenges the pandemic provided and why he joined 4theRegion's mission to make our region flourish.
May 10, 2021
May 10, 2021
23 min
Dolen Teifi are a non-profit organisation and charity which aims to provide affordable and accessible transport to communities within Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. We speak to Dolen Teifi's Development Officer, Rod Bowen about how they're helping people to reach essential community services, how the organisation operates and the importance of community-lead transport, particularly in rural areas.