Cymraeg / Welsh

Cymraeg / Welsh

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About the Fund

OUR SPACE | EIN LLE NI – COMPLETION & REFLECTION

Over the past three years, Our Space / Ein Lle Ni has grown into a remarkable body of work — not as a single project, but as 10 individual creative journeys, each shaped by the people, places and voices of the Pen-y-Cymoedd communities.
 
Each project had its own focus, challenges and outcomes, but together they form a shared sound-portrait of our valleys — past, present and future.
The scale of the work
  • 10 separate projects
  • 275 days of activity
  • 936 participants
  • 19 ensembles
  • 52 community workshop days
  • 17 venues and recording locations
    (including chapels, miners’ halls, community centres, woodland spaces and homes)
  • Work recorded and presented in immersive Dolby Atmos
From Treorchy to Glynneath, Aberdare to the Afan Valley, voices were gathered through workshops, conversations, rehearsals and recordings — involving choirs, young people, elders, musicians, poets, students and community groups.
 
What was created
Each project explored a different theme — from coal and industry, to women’s voices, place, language, memory, nature and belonging.
 
Together they include:
  • Original compositions and arrangements
  • Location-based recordings
  • Community storytelling
  • Welsh and English language work
  • Performances across Wales, festivals, schools and community venues
Audiences have experienced the work in spaces such as Park & Dare, St Elvan’s, the Welsh College of Music & Drama, the National Eisteddfod, and many local venues — often commenting on the emotional power of hearing familiar stories reflected back through sound.
 
What people said
 “Deeply moving,” “immersive,” “a celebration of who we are,”
“A treasure trove for future generations,” and
“Something that finally gives our communities a voice.”
Many spoke about pride, recognition, and the importance of hearing both women’s and men’s stories — and of feeling seen and heard as part of the creative process.
Our Space / Ein Lle Ni was created with communities, not about them.
It leaves behind:
  • New music for choirs and performers
  • Skills, confidence and creative experience for participants
  • A growing archive of recorded voices and stories
  • Work with clear potential for future touring, education, and film/visual development
We are incredibly grateful to every participant, partner, venue, choir, group and audience member who made this possible — and to Pen-y-Cymoedd for supporting a project that placed community creativity at its heart.

The Fund was established by energy company Vattenfall to benefit the communities hosting the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. It exists to support local people, groups and organisations to invest in themselves, their ideas and their communities.

The Community Fund has a substantial annual budget that is index-linked, meaning it increases in line with inflation. As an example, this equated to around £2.5 million in 2025. The Fund will continue to support communities until 2043, creating long-term opportunities for growth, resilience and positive change.

The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with strong local connections and delivered by a small but dedicated staff team with extensive community engagement experience. We are here to help ensure the Fund delivers on the vision and priorities of local communities.

Over the next 10 years, the Fund is focusing on investment in people, places and businesses — helping the Valleys to thrive, driving bold ideas, supporting transformation and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.

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