The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has recently been working with Menter Dinefwr to deliver activities and workshops in Llandovery to raise awareness of Canolfan S4C Yr Egin.
The University is also looking forward to working with Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr and Menter Gwendraeth Elli within the next few months to deliver a series of workshops and events across Carmarthenshire.
With financial support through the LEADER fund – a fund administered by Carmarthenshire County Council on behalf of Grŵp Cefn Gwlad – the University is developing a creative and digital engagement project to work with different communities across Carmarthenshire.
Canolfan S4C Yr Egin is a dynamic centre that is home to S4C’s main headquarters as well as a number of companies and organisations working with the creative and digital industries. It’s also a building that’s at the heart of the community providing opportunities for local people to enjoy the building and its resources – including a cafe, Y Gegin; an auditorium, Y Stiwdio Fach and a stunning public space, called Y Galon.
Having opened just under a year ago, the grant awarded by Grŵp Cefn Gwlad, will help to raise awareness of the centre within a range of community groups throughout the county by offering a variety of activities and events. The project will also help the University to deliver Yr Egin’s ambition in terms of adding value to the economy and community as well as further developing opportunities for people to work, socialise and to be creative through the medium of Welsh.
As a result, a series of exciting events have either just taken place or are about to take place to give people across Carmarthenshire a taste of the creative industries.
Working with the Mentrau Iaith, this project is also encouraging digital participation and shows people throughout Carmarthenshire that they have the opportunity to have a career in the media without having to leave the county. Another key element will be the ability to promote Yr Egin as a creative centre that’s available for communities, clubs and organisations across the region to use and enjoy.
During the recent sessions organised by Menter Dinefwr in Llandovery, Guto Rhun, an Assistant Producer with Boom Plant visited Llandovery College and Ysgol Rhys Prichard to run vlogging workshops. During the sessions the pupils created Welsh-medium vlogs which will soon be broadcast on Stwnsh on S4C.
In addition, Megan Williams, S4C's Weather presenter, visited the foundation phase children of Ysgol Rhys Prichard to talk about her job, and how she goes about preparing a bulletin. The children had the opportunity to be weather presenters for the day too.
And Yr Egin was also in Llandovery Rugby Club to welcome those who were completing a walk to raise money for the Carmarthenshire Urdd Eisteddfod. The walkers had the opportunity to take shelter in Yr Egin’s pod whilst also learning more about the work of some of Yr Egin's tenants through the virtual experience offered by Optimwm and by using Atebol’s time app.
“Following an exciting first year at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin - where over 10,000 children, young people and adults have visited us to take part in workshops, watch performances, attend meetings and receive training - I am delighted that through the Grwp Cefn Gwlad and the LEADER grant we can now build on this by visiting communities across Carmarthenshire,”
Says Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan S4C Yr Egin.
"Raising awareness of the opportunities available within the creative industries to the County's residents through Yr Egin - be it in terms of career, training or leisure - is an important element in ensuring the realisation of Yr Egin aims.
“By working with the Mentrau Iaith it has been possible to reinforce one of our main aims, which is to support the Welsh language and develop a bilingual workforce,”
Adds Carys.
“The Mentrau have expertise and contacts within their communities and so it is possible for this engagement project to complement their own language promotion strategies. In addition, when traveling the county we are keen to promote the amazing digital content created by tenants in Yr Egin such as Moilin and Optimwm - companies run by people who live and work in Carmarthenshire - to develop pride and confidence and to inspire them creatively.”
The vision for Yr Egin is far greater than the building within which the creative community will be housed. The development’s impact will be felt throughout Carmarthenshire and it’s hoped that this project will help the University to inspire and energise a host of social organisations and communities throughout the region.
"This project gives the University the opportunity to work closely with key local partners - community, educational and business organisations as well as S4C,"
Said Gwilym Dyfri Jones, Provost of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's Carmarthen campus.
"This is a far-reaching and ambitious project which aims to maximize the social and economic benefits of relocating S4C to Carmarthen while also contributing to Carmarthenshire County Council's ambitious regeneration plans."
This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government