About
Wales REACH uses history, heritage and creativity to bring people together.
REACH brings history, heritage and the arts to people’s doorsteps, working with five communities across Wales.
REACH seeks to understand what kinds of heritage matter to people in those communities, working with them to use that history and heritage as inspiration for art and creativity.
It is about learning new skills and making new friendships. It is about telling unheard stories and strengthening and highlighting pride. It is about using the talents of local people to challenge the stigmas that their communities face.
We will share what community participants make with the wider world through online showcases and physical exhibitions.
REACH works with five communities across Wales:
Butetown in Cardiff
Dyffryn Nantlle in Gwynedd
Sandfields in Port Talbot
People with learning disabilities in Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan
Rural communities in Pembrokeshire
Read more about each community:
Butetown in Cardiff
Butetown, sometimes known as Tiger Bay, is a vibrant district in Cardiff that blossomed into one of the UK’s first multicultural communities, with people from over 50 countries calling it home by the early 20th century. Today, it remains a lively cultural hotspot, celebrated for its rich history and diverse community.
Dyffryn Nantlle in Gwynedd
Dyffryn Nantlle, nestled in the heart of Gwynedd, is renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich geology. The valley’s vibrant Welsh-speaking community has a long history with the slate industry. The community there continues to celebrate its cultural heritage and keep the spirit of this picturesque area alive.
Sandfields in Port Talbot
Sandfields in Port Talbot, an area originally developed to house steelworkers, boasts a rich history closely linked to heavy industry. This resilient community is adapting to deindustrialisation, maintaining a strong sense of local pride and continuing to thrive through numerous community networks and initiatives
People with learning difficulties in Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan
People with learning disabilities living in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) and the Vale of Glamorgan (VoG) have both a diverse range of interests and a strong collective history of community support and advocacy. Through both in-person and online collaboration, these communities celebrate their unique contributions and foster a powerful sense of belonging.
Rural communities in Pembrokeshire
Rural communities around Milford Haven, and across Pembrokeshire more widely, have a rich history deeply connected to agriculture and livings made from the sea. These areas continue to flourish, with residents actively celebrating their heritage and community spirit.
Wales REACH is a partnership between thirteen organisations and is led by The Open University and Amgueddfa Cymru (Museum Wales). It is funded with a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The current phase started in autumn 2024 and is scheduled to run until autumn 2026.
REACH is also an OU ‘Open Societal Challenges’ project, meaning that it aims to address some of the big challenges around wellbeing and disadvantage that face many parts of our society. Visit the Open Societal Challenges website to learn more.
Timeline
Autumn 2024
The Wales REACH delivery phase begins. It is scheduled to last for two years and to run around 150 events and activities across five communities.
Autumn 2023
The Wales REACH development phase ends. It ran 25 events and activities attracting over 180 participants.
Spring 2023
The Wales REACH development phase begins, working with people from five participating communities to design the main part of the project. It is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Spring 2022
The work that Blaenau Gwent REACH participants have made is exhibited at St Fagans National History Museum. The exhibition attracts over 18,000 visitors in a 3-month period.
Autumn 2021
The Blaenau Gwent REACH online exhibition is launched, showcasing the work produced by participants.
Spring 2021
Blaenau Gwent REACH ends. It has run 30 events for 50 participants who between them make 65 pieces of art, music and writing.
Spring 2020
A pilot project called Blaenau Gwent REACH begins. It is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Funders and partners
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Providing the lion’s share of the money to run REACH. We are extremely grateful to the generosity of National Lottery players for enabling REACH to happen.
The Open University in Wales
Leads the REACH project. They are responsible for coordinating all aspects of REACH and bringing all the partner organisations together. The OU brings with it vast experience in adult learning and community engagement too.
Amgueddfa Cymru (Museum Wales)
A key partner on REACH. With seven museum sites and a collection centre around Wales, they provide REACH with expertise in many areas, especially the history, archaeology and natural history of Wales.
Adra
is north Wales’s largest housing association. They are supporting REACH’s work with people in Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd.
ateb Housing
aims to create safe, stable, secure environments from which people can live their lives. They are leading REACH’s work with people in rural Pembrokeshire.
Arts Council of Wales
are the official body that develops the arts in Wales. They are advising REACH on using arts methods in communities.
Museums Federation Cymru
is the strategic body for museums and galleries in Wales. They are advising REACH on working with local heritage organisations.
First Choice
housing association believes that everyone should live in their ‘forever home’ and that having a disability should not be a barrier to this. They are supporting REACH’s work with people with learning disabilities in RCT and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Innovate Trust
supports people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives. They are leading REACH’s work with people with learning disabilities in RCT and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Linc Cymru
housing association is committed to a happier, healthier Wales. They are leading REACH’s work with people in Sandfields, Port Talbot.
Yr Orsaf
is a community hub in Penygroes. They are leading REACH’s work with people in Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd.
People’s Collection Wales
is a free website dedicated to bringing together Wales’s heritage. They are advising REACH on doing oral history and digitisation with communities.
Public Health Wales
are the national public health agency in Wales. They are advising REACH on how to use heritage and the arts to improve people’s wellbeing.
Taff Housing Association
is committed to enabling communities to thrive. They are leading REACH’s work with people in Butetown, Cardiff.
Meet the team
Dr Richard Marsden
Senior Lecturer in History, The Open University
Richard is academic lead for REACH. He is really interested in how people think about their pasts, and how that shapes their identities in the present.
Dan Jewson
Wales REACH Project Manager, The Open University in Wales
Dan is the Project Manager for Wales REACH. Passionate about social history and community engagement, Dan believes exploring history, heritage, and culture can empower communities, transform lives, and challenge elite narratives to create a more inclusive past.
Hywel Squires
Senior Engagement Coordinator, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
Hywel helps plan and run community engagement activities for the REACH project. He’s a bit of a museum nerd, passionate about heritage and museology, and loves exploring how museums can be spaces for social change.
Ruth Poultney
Project Officer, The Open University in Wales
Ruth organises and facilitates workshops and events for the REACH project, and is fascinated by hidden histories, secret stories and all things creative. You’ll find her doing arts and crafts, sharing her love of the quirky and overlooked bits of history or getting hands on with nature and wellbeing activities.