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How can we rebuild our local economies and transform the way we live, to create sustainable development and well-being for people, the planet, and future generations? 4theRegion is a cross-sector network that brings together people, businesses, large organisations, community groups and educational institutions - who care about the future of South West Wales, and the wellbeing of our communities, and want to make a difference. The 4theRegion podcast is a way to stay connected with the huge range of different conversations and events that we host with people and organisations across the region. Our goal is to strengthen communication and collaboration across our region, so that everyone feels more positive, more empowered and better able to contribute to a happier, healthier and more resilient future. Our mantra is that the future of our region is in our hands - as the people, businesses and organisations of South West Wales. As you’ll hear, again and again, through the events and conversations that we host, there is so much happening, so many exciting projects and initiatives, so much important work, and so many reasons to feel positive and inspired. We think South West Wales is surely the BEST place to live and work in the whole of the UK - if not the world! - and we hope that by tuning into this podcast you will find nuggets of information and a general sense of empowerment, so that together we can co-create a happier, healthier future and a thriving economy, for Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.
Episodes
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Monday Dec 07, 2020
As a region we need to do what we can to support start ups and entrepreneurs and encourage them to stay within South West Wales.
We speak to one of many entrepreneurs based in our region, creator of Dill delivery service and Swansea University student, Alex-Ioan Coldea. With the support of Swansea University and Young Business Dragons, Alex created Dill, a food ordering platform designed to cut queuing times at university catering venues. In this episode, Alex shares his entrepreneurial journey with us.
We also hear from Kelly Jordan, Kath Penaluna and Kim Mamhende, who are part of the enterprise teams at Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David and The Centre for African Entrepreneurship respectively about the importance of fostering effective business sense, creativity and innovation.
For those who are very young entrepreneurs, Young Business Dragons share the success of the Swansea Primary Enterprise Challenge which saw a successful children-led market in the city centre.
We're also pleased to share the launch of our new project; 4theRegion has teamed up with Swansea University’s School of Management to create Starting Up in the Region.
Find out more: www.4theregion.org.uk/4theregion-forms-partnership-ready-to-help-new-businesses-make-the-right-connections
Monday Nov 30, 2020
Monday Nov 30, 2020
This week we speak to Joanna Clarke, Design Manager of Swansea University's SPECIFIC project. SPECIFIC focuses on energy technologies and systems, from the fundamental science of materials and products to full-scale demonstration on buildings. These principles link together in one design concept called Active Buildings, in which buildings are designed to generate, store and release their own renewable energy. We discuss with Joanna the challenges that designers face when designing energy efficient buildings and how innovative projects such as SPECIFIC can lay the foundation for greener, cleaner housing.
Joanna has developed the ‘Active Buildings Toolkit’ in order to share the principles and learnings from Active Buildings, with the aim of encouraging others to adopt or improve on them and to support wider uptake of low carbon designs.
Learn more about SPECIFIC and Active Buildings: www.specific.eu.com/what-are-active-buildings
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Monday Nov 23, 2020
If there's one sector that may have been resilient throughout the pandemic, it would be the digital sector. For other sectors, those who quickly embraced technology, digital skills and remote working have been in a better position compared to those who haven't. Digital skills are a key growth sector for our region and there are many opportunities for people to find a career in the digital sector.
How can we grow this sector and ensure that people are aware of the opportunities to develop their skills and what does our region need to be doing in order to support businesses in upskilling the workforce across all sectors?
Download as a podcast: https://buildbackbetter.podbean.com/
Monday Nov 16, 2020
Monday Nov 16, 2020
Rachael Flanagan founded Mrs Buckét Cleaning Services at the age of 18, starting with a mop and £20 of promotional flyers. Rachael has worked hard over 15 years to grow her business and today Mrs Buckét employs over 250 people across Wales and the South West of England. Rachael is passionate about helping others and positive collaboration, mentoring other entrepreneurs and small business owners. In this inspiring episode, we speak to Rachael about the personal and professional growths she has discovered from entrepreneurship, what drives her and advice for budding business owners. #BuildBackBetter
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Taking care of our physical and mental wellbeing are even more important than ever. In this episode, we're having an interesting conversation about how organisations across South West Wales have managed the challenges of maintaining staff health and wellbeing during the pandemic, whether working at home or in the office, shop, or teaching environment. We discuss different structures put in place to help employees get the support they may need, whether it be signposting to an external service or company support.
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
With less than 200 days to go until the Senedd Election, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Sophie Howe is proud to have launched her ‘Manifesto for the Future’, providing key recommendations that Sophie believes political parties should consider within their manifesto work.
In this episode, we speak to Sophie about her role and her prorities as Future Generations Commissioner for Wales during an important time where the need to rethink and replan for the future is vital. We discuss many of the findings and recommendations in her ‘Manifesto for the Future’ which seek to highlight how we can recover and build back better. #BuildBackBetter #OurFutureWales
Read the Manifesto for the Future here: www.futuregenerations.wales/manifesto-for-the-future
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Renewable energy is a key growth sector for our region, with ideal locations across Wales, such as the coastline and mountains allowing for tidal and wind to generate our power. We speak to a number of key businesses and organisations within the renewable energy sector about what is currently happening and what needs to happen in order to enable growth within the sector and allow wider access to clean, green power.
The UK & Welsh governments have made commitments to bring carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, with Wales' target to achieve a net zero carbon public sector by 2030. We ask our roundtable to share their perspectives on announcements the government have made, and if our governments are putting in the infrastructure and investments required to grow the renewable energy sector.
Monday Oct 05, 2020
Monday Oct 05, 2020
With lockdown giving people with a lot more free time, some have dedicated themselves towards growing fresh fruits and vegetables. Ange Bettany, who runs Hoogah café in the Uplands, Swansea, saw this time as an opportunity to transform unused spaces around her community, turning them into vibrant growing spaces and encouraging engagement with her local community. Room to Grow is a permaculture project dedicated to self-sufficiency and community unity and aims to turn concrete jungles into edible oases. We speak to Ange about how the project pilot scheme progressed, the challenges she has faced and what next steps she and the Room to Grow volunteers will take. #BuildBackBetter
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
This week, we speak to 4theRegion member Julie Jones, co-director of Gower Gas & Oil, about how businesses can benefit community cohesion in order to create a positive relationship between businesses and local well-being.
Julie shares her experience with projects that Gower Gas & Oil have supported, such as the 'Don't Dance Alone' campaign hosted by The Wave to highlight some of the difficulties currently facing older people in Wales and the creation of the Gower Isolation Support Group, a community group designed to coordinate support and information during the Covid-19 crisis.
Don't Dance Alone: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/latest-news/archive/supporting-the-dont-dance-alone-campaign/
Gower Isolation Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/853439298437596
Monday Sep 07, 2020
Monday Sep 07, 2020
South West Wales Connected is a new Community Rail Partnership established by Transport for Wales and hosted by 4theRegion. We speak to Jennifer Barfoot, who was appointed as Community Rail Officer earlier this year, about how she has been progressing in the role and the connections she has made during socially distanced meetings. We also speak to Becky Lloyd about her Community Bunting Challenge project and how it has manifested a spin-off project called Love This Place, coordinated by South West Wales Connected CRP. #BuildBackBetter