Community gathering at an Awen Cultural Trust outdoor event

CREATING CULTURALLY VIBRANT COMMUNITIES

Awen is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee operating predominantly in the valley communities of South Wales. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2025.

Community gathering at an Awen Cultural Trust outdoor event

CREATING CULTURALLY VIBRANT COMMUNITIES

Awen is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee operating predominantly in the valley communities of South Wales. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2025.

Community gathering at an Awen Cultural Trust outdoor event

CREATING CULTURALLY VIBRANT COMMUNITIES

Awen is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee operating predominantly in the valley communities of South Wales. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2025.

Our Purpose

To ‘make people’s lives better’ by providing opportunity for people and communities to experience, enjoy and be inspired together, by culture. We engage with over one million people every year.

Our Purpose

To ‘make people’s lives better’ by providing opportunity for people and communities to experience, enjoy and be inspired together, by culture. We engage with over one million people every year.

Icon heart
Our Work

We manage over 18 cultural facilities and activities including theatres, libraries, community centres, a country house and park, and two work-based training projects for adults with learning disabilities.

Icon heart
Our Work

We manage over 18 cultural facilities and activities including theatres, libraries, community centres, a country house and park, and two work-based training projects for adults with learning disabilities.

Icon heart
Our Vision

Our strategic vision, which will shape our organisational priorities for the next five years, is to: create culturally vibrant communities where everyone feels they belong.

Icon heart
Our Vision

Our strategic vision, which will shape our organisational priorities for the next five years, is to: create culturally vibrant communities where everyone feels they belong.

Icon heart
Our Impact

We define our social impact not only by the number of people we engage with, but the value of those engagements; the rate of positive change that happens because of us doing something.

Icon heart
Our Impact

We define our social impact not only by the number of people we engage with, but the value of those engagements; the rate of positive change that happens because of us doing something.

Our Purpose

To ‘make people’s lives better’ by providing opportunity for people and communities to experience, enjoy and be inspired together, by culture. We engage with over one million people every year.

Our Purpose

To ‘make people’s lives better’ by providing opportunity for people and communities to experience, enjoy and be inspired together, by culture. We engage with over one million people every year.

Icon heart
Our Work

We manage over 18 cultural facilities and activities including theatres, libraries, community centres, a country house and park, and two work-based training projects for adults with learning disabilities.

Icon heart
Our Work

We manage over 18 cultural facilities and activities including theatres, libraries, community centres, a country house and park, and two work-based training projects for adults with learning disabilities.

Icon heart
Our Vision

Our strategic vision, which will shape our organisational priorities for the next five years, is to: create culturally vibrant communities where everyone feels they belong.

Icon heart
Our Vision

Our strategic vision, which will shape our organisational priorities for the next five years, is to: create culturally vibrant communities where everyone feels they belong.

Icon heart
Our Impact

We define our social impact not only by the number of people we engage with, but the value of those engagements; the rate of positive change that happens because of us doing something.

Icon heart
Our Impact

We define our social impact not only by the number of people we engage with, but the value of those engagements; the rate of positive change that happens because of us doing something.

Our Values

Our values – creative, collaborative, empowering and fair – underpin everything we do. They define what we believe and how we behave. They guide our daily decisions and actions.

Creative

To ‘make people’s lives better’ by providing opportunity for people and communities to experience, enjoy and be inspired together, by culture.

Creative

To ‘make people’s lives better’ by providing opportunity for people and communities to experience, enjoy and be inspired together, by culture.

Creative

To ‘make people’s lives better’ by providing opportunity for people and communities to experience, enjoy and be inspired together, by culture.

Icon heart
Collaborative

Developing positive relationships internally and externally with colleagues, stakeholders and partners.

Icon heart
Collaborative

Developing positive relationships internally and externally with colleagues, stakeholders and partners.

Icon heart
Collaborative

Developing positive relationships internally and externally with colleagues, stakeholders and partners.

Icon heart
Empowering

Empowering people to achieve their potential and make good things happen.

Icon heart
Empowering

Empowering people to achieve their potential and make good things happen.

Icon heart
Empowering

Empowering people to achieve their potential and make good things happen.

Icon heart
Fair

Striving to be fair in all its dealings, respecting one another and the community.

Icon heart
Fair

Striving to be fair in all its dealings, respecting one another and the community.

Icon heart
Fair

Striving to be fair in all its dealings, respecting one another and the community.

Our Impact in Numbers: 2024-25

Our theatres are much-loved spaces, at the heart of the community, bringing people of all walks of life together to enjoy shared and enriching experiences both on and off the stage.

Our Trustees

Our Trustees

Our Trustees offer a wider range of skills, attributes, lived experience and community knowledge, and together provide strong leadership, strategic direction and good governance.

Our Trustees offer a wider range of skills, attributes, lived experience and community knowledge, and together provide strong leadership, strategic direction and good governance.

Ava Plowright

Chair of Awen Cultural Trust

Ava Plowright

Chair of Awen Cultural Trust

Ava Plowright

Chair of Awen Cultural Trust

Will Campion

Chair of Awen Trading Limited

Will Campion

Chair of Awen Trading Limited

Will Campion

Chair of Awen Trading Limited

Stuart Bain

Trustee

Stuart Bain

Trustee

Stuart Bain

Trustee

Noel Thomas

Trustee

Noel Thomas

Trustee

Noel Thomas

Trustee

Dawn Smith

Trustee

Dawn Smith

Trustee

Dawn Smith

Trustee

Robert Evans

Trustee

Robert Evans

Trustee

Robert Evans

Trustee

Carly McCreesh

Trustee

Carly McCreesh

Trustee

Carly McCreesh

Trustee

Conal Bembridge

Trustee

Conal Bembridge

Trustee

Conal Bembridge

Trustee

Daniel Taylor

Trustee

Daniel Taylor

Trustee

Daniel Taylor

Trustee

Kathryn Warren

Trustee

Kathryn Warren

Trustee

Kathryn Warren

Trustee

Germaine Ngoy Kyabu

Trainee Trustee

Germaine Ngoy Kyabu

Trainee Trustee

Germaine Ngoy Kyabu

Trainee Trustee

Our Executive Leadership Team

Our Executive Leadership Team

Headed up by our Chief Executive, the Executive Leadership Team is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of Awen.

Headed up by our Chief Executive, the Executive Leadership Team is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of Awen.

Richard Hughes

Chief Executive

Richard Hughes

Chief Executive

Richard Hughes

Chief Executive

Ceri Evans

Director of Business Development and Partnerships

Ceri Evans

Director of Business Development and Partnerships

Ceri Evans

Director of Business Development and Partnerships

Richard Bellinger

Director of Operations

Richard Bellinger

Director of Operations

Richard Bellinger

Director of Operations

Steve Dimmick

Commercial Director

Steve Dimmick

Commercial Director

Steve Dimmick

Commercial Director

Helen Cook

Head of People

Helen Cook

Head of People

Helen Cook

Head of People

Maria Goddard

Head of Finance

Maria Goddard

Head of Finance

Maria Goddard

Head of Finance

Our Senior Leadership Team

Our Senior Leadership Team

The Senior Leadership Team supports the Executive Leadership Team with strategy implementation and managing the daily operations of its various business areas.

The Senior Leadership Team supports the Executive Leadership Team with strategy implementation and managing the daily operations of its various business areas.

Mark Phillips

Head of Infrastructure and Innovation

Mark Phillips

Head of Infrastructure and Innovation

Mark Phillips

Head of Infrastructure and Innovation

Toni Cosson

Head of Marketing and Communications

Toni Cosson

Head of Marketing and Communications

Toni Cosson

Head of Marketing and Communications

Christopher Britton

Training and Services Development Manager

Christopher Britton

Training and Services Development Manager

Christopher Britton

Training and Services Development Manager

Claire Cressey

Head of Theatres and Creative Wellbeing

Claire Cressey

Head of Theatres and Creative Wellbeing

Claire Cressey

Head of Theatres and Creative Wellbeing

Our Valued Partners and Supporters

We take huge pride in the meaningful relationships and partnerships we have developed with a wide range of other groups and organisations who support our purpose and ambition.

Logo for arts council Wales
Logo for arts council Wales
Logo for arts council Wales
Logo for Lottery Funded
Logo for Lottery Funded
Logo for Lottery Funded
Logo for Sponsored by Welsh Goverment
Logo for Sponsored by Welsh Goverment
Blaenau Gwent County Council Logo
Blaenau Gwent County Council Logo
Blaenau Gwent County Council Logo
Bridgend  County Council Logo
Bridgend  County Council Logo
Bridgend  County Council Logo
Rhondda Cynon Taf  County Council Logo
Rhondda Cynon Taf  County Council Logo
Rhondda Cynon Taf  County Council Logo
Bridgend Town Council Logo
Bridgend Town Council Logo
Maesteg Town Council Logo
Maesteg Town Council Logo
Porthcawl Town Council Logo
Porthcawl Town Council Logo

Our Pledges and Commitments

Age-friendly Employer Pledge

We recognise the importance and value of older workers, are committed to improving work for people in their 50s and 60s (and beyond) and are prepared to take action to help them flourish in a multigenerational workforce.

Age-friendly Employer Pledge

We recognise the importance and value of older workers, are committed to improving work for people in their 50s and 60s (and beyond) and are prepared to take action to help them flourish in a multigenerational workforce.

Age-friendly Employer Pledge

We recognise the importance and value of older workers, are committed to improving work for people in their 50s and 60s (and beyond) and are prepared to take action to help them flourish in a multigenerational workforce.

Icon
Disability Confident Leader

We are committed to helping people with disabilities secure, retain and develop careers at Awen. We are also committed to advocating the value of employing people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, ensuring they have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Icon
Disability Confident Leader

We are committed to helping people with disabilities secure, retain and develop careers at Awen. We are also committed to advocating the value of employing people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, ensuring they have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Icon
Disability Confident Leader

We are committed to helping people with disabilities secure, retain and develop careers at Awen. We are also committed to advocating the value of employing people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, ensuring they have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Icon
Dying to Work

A terminal illness diagnosis brings with it huge emotional stress, fear, anxiety and uncertainty. We are publically demonstrating our commitment to all colleagues that, should they be faced with such a difficult period in their lives, their wellbeing at work will remain a priority.

Icon
Dying to Work

A terminal illness diagnosis brings with it huge emotional stress, fear, anxiety and uncertainty. We are publically demonstrating our commitment to all colleagues that, should they be faced with such a difficult period in their lives, their wellbeing at work will remain a priority.

Icon
Dying to Work

A terminal illness diagnosis brings with it huge emotional stress, fear, anxiety and uncertainty. We are publically demonstrating our commitment to all colleagues that, should they be faced with such a difficult period in their lives, their wellbeing at work will remain a priority.

Icon
Equality Pledge

We are taking proactive, positive and practical steps towards creating an inclusive, fair and diverse workplace, demonstrating our commitment to our employees and the wider community, while offering accessible products and services to all.

Icon
Equality Pledge

We are taking proactive, positive and practical steps towards creating an inclusive, fair and diverse workplace, demonstrating our commitment to our employees and the wider community, while offering accessible products and services to all.

Icon
Equality Pledge

We are taking proactive, positive and practical steps towards creating an inclusive, fair and diverse workplace, demonstrating our commitment to our employees and the wider community, while offering accessible products and services to all.

Icon
Fostering Friendly

We are taking proactive, positive and practical steps towards creating an inclusive, fair and diverse workplace, demonstrating our commitment to our employees and the wider community, while offering accessible products and services to all.

Icon
Fostering Friendly

We are taking proactive, positive and practical steps towards creating an inclusive, fair and diverse workplace, demonstrating our commitment to our employees and the wider community, while offering accessible products and services to all.

Icon
Fostering Friendly

We are taking proactive, positive and practical steps towards creating an inclusive, fair and diverse workplace, demonstrating our commitment to our employees and the wider community, while offering accessible products and services to all.

Icon
Green Growth Pledge

We are taking proactive steps towards improving our sustainability and demonstrating our positive impact on the people and places around us, as well as joining a growing community of forward-thinking organisations who are helping Wales transition to a low carbon future.

Icon
Green Growth Pledge

We are taking proactive steps towards improving our sustainability and demonstrating our positive impact on the people and places around us, as well as joining a growing community of forward-thinking organisations who are helping Wales transition to a low carbon future.

Icon
Green Growth Pledge

We are taking proactive steps towards improving our sustainability and demonstrating our positive impact on the people and places around us, as well as joining a growing community of forward-thinking organisations who are helping Wales transition to a low carbon future.

Icon
Menopause Workplace Pledge

We are demonstrating our commitment to ensuring colleagues experiencing perimenopause and menopausal symptoms feel well informed and supported while at work; breaking down the stigma and creating a menopause-friendly workplace.

Icon
Menopause Workplace Pledge

We are demonstrating our commitment to ensuring colleagues experiencing perimenopause and menopausal symptoms feel well informed and supported while at work; breaking down the stigma and creating a menopause-friendly workplace.

Icon
Menopause Workplace Pledge

We are demonstrating our commitment to ensuring colleagues experiencing perimenopause and menopausal symptoms feel well informed and supported while at work; breaking down the stigma and creating a menopause-friendly workplace.

Icon
Time to Change Wales

We are making a public declaration that we want to step up to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination within the wider community, by taking proactive and practical actions within Awen.

Icon
Time to Change Wales

We are making a public declaration that we want to step up to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination within the wider community, by taking proactive and practical actions within Awen.

Icon
Time to Change Wales

We are making a public declaration that we want to step up to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination within the wider community, by taking proactive and practical actions within Awen.

Our Awards

Everything we do if for our people and our communities, not for awards, but we are proud to be recognised for our accreditations and achievements.

  • The British Book Awards library of the year Winner Logo
  • Green Dragon Envronmental Standard Logo
  • Green-flag-award-logo
  • Green Heritage Site - Bilingual Logo
  • Investor in People - Silver Award logo
  • Investor in People - Wellbeing - Gold Award Logo
  • Mind Workplace Wellbeing Logo
  • National Forest - Award Logo
  • The British Book Awards library of the year Winner Logo
  • Green Dragon Envronmental Standard Logo
  • Green-flag-award-logo
  • Green Heritage Site - Bilingual Logo
  • Investor in People - Silver Award logo
  • Investor in People - Wellbeing - Gold Award Logo
  • Mind Workplace Wellbeing Logo
  • National Forest - Award Logo