SPAN Arts is calling for more young people and families to join its volunteer team as demand grows for its events programme at a time when volunteer numbers are low.

The Narberth-based community arts charity has brought people together through creativity for more than 30 years, using the arts to spark ideas, build connections and inspire positive change across Pembrokeshire.

Like many community organisations, SPAN Arts relies heavily on volunteers, and that support is now more important than ever.

A CALL FOR SUPPORT

The SPAN Arts team said: “Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and at the moment we’re low on numbers.

“With more events coming up, we really need more people to step in, especially young people and families.”

The charity says there are opportunities for people who can spare a small amount of time, as well as those looking for a longer-term role.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

Volunteering with SPAN Arts offers the chance to become part of a welcoming creative community while gaining useful experience.

Volunteers can meet new people, build confidence, develop new skills, gain hands-on experience for their CV, and see behind the scenes of the creative industries.

Roles may include supporting live events, working alongside professional artists, and learning about areas such as marketing, lighting, sound and production.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

For young people, volunteering can provide an introduction to the arts and events sector.

SPAN Arts says it offers the chance to join a friendly team, learn practical skills outside the classroom, gain experience in live events, and build confidence through new challenges.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Families are also being encouraged to take part.

With workshops and performances designed for young audiences, SPAN Arts says volunteering can be an enjoyable way for families to spend time together, support children in building confidence and teamwork skills, share new experiences with the local community, and do something meaningful together.

GET INVOLVED

Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to contact SPAN Arts’ Volunteer Coordinator, Belinda, for an informal chat.

She can be contacted on 01834 869323 or by emailing [email protected].

SPAN Arts is a community arts charity based in Narberth, with a 30-year history of contributing to the arts in Pembrokeshire.

The charity delivers music, theatre, comedy and spoken-word events, alongside arts and wellbeing projects in areas where people may otherwise have limited access to the arts.

SPAN Arts says it is driven by the belief that the arts can improve quality of life, health and wellbeing, while helping to reduce social exclusion and rural isolation through community-based participation.

PEMBROKESHIRE is preparing to play a central role in one of Wales’ biggest cultural events, with this year’s National Eisteddfod y Garreg Las now moving firmly into view.

Broadcaster and presenter Mari Grug has been announced as President of the 2026 Eisteddfod, which will open on Saturday, August 1.

The event is expected to bring thousands of visitors to west Wales, with Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and surrounding communities set to be at the heart of the celebrations.

Mari, who was brought up on a farm in Mynachlog-ddu and educated at Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych, will address the audience from the Pavilion stage during the opening ceremony.

She said: “It’s a great honour. Receiving the invitation was quite a shock, to be honest. I certainly wasn’t expecting it, but those who know me know that the Eisteddfod has always been a huge part of my life.”

Mari is well known to viewers and listeners across Wales through her work on S4C programmes including Heno and Prynhawn Da, as well as Radio Cymru.

She has also presented coverage from major Welsh events including the Urdd Eisteddfod, the Royal Welsh Show and the National Eisteddfod.

The announcement comes as preparations continue for a major event on Friday, June 19, when the Crown and Chair for this year’s Eisteddfod will be presented to the local executive committee.

That evening will also launch celebrations marking 850 years of the National Eisteddfod, with a five-metre-high giant puppet of Lord Rhys, created by Small World Theatre Company, travelling through local towns and villages.

The event will begin at 5:45pm at St Davids Cathedral, before moving to Oriel y Parc for a ceremony marking the start of the celebrations and the unveiling of this year’s Crown and Chair.

The Crown has been designed and made in silver by Elen and Dylan Bowen, the husband-and-wife team behind Bowen Jewellery in Newcastle Emlyn.

The Chair has been designed and crafted by Tomos Lewis and is being donated by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Mari said she hoped to act as an ambassador for the Eisteddfod and encourage more people to visit the Maes.

She added: “I hope I can be some kind of ambassador for the Eisteddfod, and attract more people to come to the Maes to enjoy what I have enjoyed for years.

“The week of Eisteddfod y Garreg Las is certain to be busy. The timetable is already full of events and ceremonies, but hopefully there will also be time to enjoy the week.”

Mari was previously involved when the National Eisteddfod came to St Davids in 2002, when she was the presenter of the flower token.

She said: “It was a wonderful experience to be part of the Eisteddfod the last time it came to the area. That was also a busy week, with Gorsedd ceremonies and competitions — and enjoying ourselves in the evenings.

“I’m looking forward to playing a role again this year, this time as Festival President.”

Mari will also be admitted to Gorsedd Cymru on Friday, August 7, on the Maes at Eisteddfod y Garreg Las.

More information about the Eisteddfod and tickets is available from the official Eisteddfod website.

Caption: Mari Grug has been named President of this year’s Eisteddfod y Garreg Las (Pic: Glyn Rainer).

As technology and digital platforms continue to evolve, so do our entertainment habits. What we respond to, how we interact, and where we spend our time online has all changed. So, let’s take a look at some of the digital entertainment habits we’re noticing in 2026. 

Where People Are Spending Their Time Online 

Streaming Services 

There is a growing number of streaming services out there now, offering everything from classics through to the latest titles. And most people are subscribed to more than one platform, giving them almost unlimited access to their favourite films or TV shows. 

Online Gaming 

Whether people are looking for free spins without a deposit or a truly immersive story-driven plot, online gaming has become incredibly popular. There’s no doubt that the increase in online gaming is, in part, due to things like game quality, surround sound systems, and advanced gaming set ups that make gaming for hours on end in complete comfort possible. 

Social Media 

Nowadays, almost everyone has at least one social media account, whether it be Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or something more niche. And as algorithms advance and more and more people are creating content online, it’s become all too easy to spend hours scrolling through each endless social media feed. 

What People Expect From Digital Entertainment 

Personalised Recommendations 

Most platforms provide personalised feeds. Take TikTok’s ‘For you’ page, or Netflix’s ‘Today’s Top Picks for You’ carousel, for example. As these tailored recommendations have become the norm, it’s now a basic expectation that platforms will serve people the content they’re most interested in at all times.  

Interactive Experiences 

Over time, our attention spans have shrunk. Constant digital stimulation and distraction has meant our ability to remain focused is shorter than it once was. Because of this, it’s getting more and more difficult to keep people engaged online without high levels of stimulation or interactive and fully immersive experiences. 

On-Demand Access 

Smartphones have put the digital world at our fingertips, creating an expectation that online entertainment should be available anytime, anywhere. Complete convenience is what people want and expect from their digital entertainment. 

The Future of Digital Entertainment

We have seen some major changes in the digital entertainment industry within the last decade or so, and with new technologies emerging all the time, it’s hard to predict what’s next. However, it will be exciting to see what’s in store in the near future.