Michael Sheen’s company to debut first production in the city next January

SWANSEA has been named the official home of the newly founded Welsh National Theatre.

The company, established earlier this year by actor and director MICHAEL SHEEN, will be headquartered at Swansea’s Civic Centre overlooking Swansea Bay — a symbolic location, connecting Welsh storytelling to both its roots and the wider world.

The company’s first production, Our Town, will premiere at the Swansea Grand Theatre from January 16 to 31, 2026, before touring Wales and concluding its run at the Rose Theatre in Kingston-upon-Thames. The production is directed by Swansea-born FRANCESCA GOODRIDGE, with fellow Swansea native RUSSELL T DAVIES serving as creative associate.

Sheen, who serves as artistic director, said: “My theatrical journey began in Swansea as a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre, so it feels fitting to return and establish Welsh National Theatre here. Swansea is a place of creativity, resilience and inspiration. This isn’t just about securing office space — it’s about building a cultural hub for artists, producers and writers to collaborate and create before the work even reaches the stage.”

He added: “In just seven months, a Swansea audience will be the first in the world to experience a Welsh National Theatre production live. The countdown is truly on.”

Welsh National Theatre’s founding chief executive SHARON GILBURD praised the city’s support: “There’s a real sense of partnership here. Swansea Council has shown a genuine commitment to fostering a thriving cultural scene — not just for today, but for future generations.”

Following Our Town, Sheen will take to the stage once more in November 2026 to play Owain Glyndŵr in Owain & Henry, a new work by playwright GARY OWEN, produced in collaboration with the Wales Millennium Centre.

The decision to base the company in Swansea was welcomed by Council Leader ROB STEWART, who described it as “a proud moment for the city”.

“Having Welsh National Theatre based in Swansea shows how far we’ve come as a creative city,” he said. “This bold move will help raise the profile of Welsh storytelling globally and strengthen Swansea’s role as a national and international hub for creative talent.”

He added: “This will bring real opportunities for local actors, musicians, artists, writers, and technicians to be part of something world-class — and to create new work that’s rooted in Wales. The impact will be transformative.”

The move follows several months of discussions between the company and Swansea Council.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, ELLIOTT KING, said the theatre’s decision reflects years of sustained investment in the local arts sector.

“Swansea is now home to everything from major venues like the Swansea Arena to community-led theatre projects like Grand Ambition,” he said. “Our creative industries are flourishing, and with Welsh National Theatre joining that ecosystem, Swansea is well-positioned to make a lasting mark on the international stage.”

New digital platform aims to boost volunteer numbers across Wales

CHARITIES of all sizes across Wales are being urged to sign up to a new digital volunteering platform designed to make it easier for people to give their time and support vital community causes.

Created by the Royal Voluntary Service, with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the platform will help connect charities with would-be volunteers in their local areas. It is free to use and aims to modernise how volunteering is accessed and managed.

Voluntary organisations across the country have struggled in recent years with declining volunteer numbers. But research by Royal Voluntary Service suggests this trend could be reversed. In Wales, 45% of people said they would be more likely to volunteer if they could do so flexibly via an app or online platform.

Motivation to contribute remains strong, with many citing a desire to support their local community as a key reason to volunteer. The new platform aims to tap into this enthusiasm by making it easier for people to find roles that suit their lifestyles.

Launching to the public this autumn, the platform will allow users to browse, filter and apply for volunteering roles with just a few clicks. In the meantime, charities can sign up and begin uploading roles from June onwards to test the platform.

It is hoped the platform will become a central hub for flexible, accessible and digitally enabled volunteering in Wales. Charities from all sectors—whether in sport, the arts, health, environmental work or animal welfare—are encouraged to register and offer a diverse range of roles.

Making opportunities inclusive and varied—from one-off remote roles to team-based or traditional placements—will help widen access to volunteering and inspire a new generation of community contributors.

As well as improving recruitment, the platform aims to reduce the administrative burden for charities. Volunteers will complete a one-time onboarding and identity check, enabling them to switch between roles and organisations without repeating basic steps. Free criminal record checks will also be introduced in future.

Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “We’ve developed this platform in partnership with charities large and small to ensure it’s genuinely useful across the board. By breaking down the barriers to volunteering, we’re helping more people fit it into their busy lives. Thanks to the support of People’s Postcode Lottery players, we’re on the brink of a volunteer revolution, and we want as many Welsh charities as possible to be part of it.”

Clara Govier, Managing Director at People’s Postcode Lottery, added: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of so many charities. This platform will help new generations find opportunities that suit their lives—whether locally or online. We’re incredibly proud to support Royal Voluntary Service in delivering this initiative.”

Local charities have also welcomed the platform.

Damian Golden, Accessible Vehicle Co-ordinator for Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations (PACTO), said: “Volunteers are the heart of our community transport network. We’re hopeful this platform will help us connect with more passionate individuals and extend our reach across Pembrokeshire.”

The platform is free for charities and includes identity checks for volunteers. Organisations interested in registering or taking part in upcoming workshops and webinars can find out more at www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.

A NEW website dedicated to the restoration and protection of Pembrokeshire’s precious rivers has launched, offering residents and local communities the chance to get directly involved in safeguarding their local environment.

The website, www.wwnmb.wales, has been set up by the West Wales Nutrient Management Boards (NMBs), focusing particularly on the River Cleddau, alongside the Tywi and Teifi rivers. All three rivers have Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) status but are currently struggling to meet targets for phosphorus levels, which are crucial to maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Supported by Welsh Government funding and led locally by Pembrokeshire County Council, in collaboration with authorities in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, the initiative unites public bodies, environmental groups, utilities, and local stakeholders. Its key goal is to find sustainable long-term solutions to improve water quality, thus benefiting wildlife, local businesses, and the community.

Pembrokeshire County Councillor Jacob Williams, Chair of the Cleddau Nutrient Management Board, said: “Pembrokeshire’s rivers are at the heart of our communities and economy. This new website empowers everyone—residents, farmers, landowners, developers, and young people—to understand the challenges and become part of the solution to improve river health across our county.”

The site offers detailed interactive maps, accessible summaries of scientific data, resources specifically tailored for landowners and developers, and opportunities to engage in citizen science projects. Pembrokeshire residents can also get involved directly by joining local stakeholder groups or participating in public consultations.

Additionally, Pembrokeshire residents can visit the WWNMB stand at the Pembrokeshire County Show on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 August at the FUW stand, to learn more and discuss how they can contribute to protecting their local rivers.

For updates and further engagement, residents are encouraged to follow the social media hashtags: #WWNMB25 #BRhMGC25

Explore the initiative and find ways to get involved at www.wwnmb.wales.