Tag Archives: change makers

News

Grade 2-listed landmark takeover first step in making town more inclusive and accessible for all

A BELOVED Denbighshire landmark is beginning a new era.

Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC has taken on management of the town’s Grade 2-listed Market Hall.

And Operations Manager Bernadette O’Malley has already made her mark, organising a wide range of activities, and unveiling proposals for better access and toilet facilities on-site.

She is also working in partnership with businesses and organisations to improve services and ensure Ruthin does all it can to be even more inclusive and eco-friendly.

With more and more traders displaying their wares, and independent local producers supplying goods for the popular café, Bernadette is confident they are moving in the right direction.

The building had been redeveloped over recent years by DVSC (Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council), the charity that supports other third sector, community groups and social enterprises across the county, and she thanked them for their ongoing support.

“DVSC spotted the potential of this redundant building a few years ago, so we’ve worked together to create a vibrant place for people to make, sell, and show,” said Bernadette.

“None of the things we are proposing can happen without the buy-in and feedback of this community, and fortunately that has been the case.

“From the market perspective, we are working with the footfall we have and are seeing a rise in the number of people coming through the doors, not just to visit the stalls but for events as well.

“We’ve had live music, wedding fairs, dancing, pop-up restaurants, jazz and comedy nights, and there is a lot more in the pipeline, with the Market Hall at the centre of developments across the town.”

She added: “Importantly, in the coming months work will be taking place to improve the toilet facilities and access, to become more dementia and disability friendly and remove any barriers to visiting us.

“The community fridge is also here, and we hope more people will use it, not just due to the cost-of-living crisis but because a lot of the food and drink has been donated by local supermarkets that would have gone to waste.

“From sustainable projects to entertainment, the affordable artisan market and the many other things coming up, we are trying to generate interest among all ages and create a buzz that’s sustainable.

“We’ve had the backing of councillors and businesses but it’s not just us, it’s a partnership and we’ve had a lot of interest, there is an appetite for this.

“It’s all happening, it’s coming together, and I can’t thank the people of Ruthin enough for their support. We are moving forward and I’m excited to see what the future will bring.”

Tom Barham, Chief Officer at DVSC, said they were pleased to be able to “pass the torch” to Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC having revamped the structure by attracting investment from the Welsh Government’s Foundational Economy Challenge Fund via Denbighshire County Council, the UK Government Community Renewal Fund, Circular Economy Funding, and DVSC’s own funds.

“Bernadette’s vision for the Market Hall in our community is a breath of fresh air and we are happy to support her to manage this through her growing, new social enterprise,” he said.

“DVSC has worked hard over the past four years to bring the market from an empty, cold and redundant building to the brilliant facility we see today.

“It was always our plan to spin this out to a local social enterprise so we are thrilled it will be operating under the direct management of Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC and are sure both the site and the town itself will go from strength to strength.”

For the latest news and information from Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC, visit the website: www.artisanmarkets.wales or www.ruthinmarkethall.com.

Follow them on Facebook at @ruthinmarkethall, Instagram @ruthin_market_hall and Twitter @ruthinMH.

For more information on DVSC, visit www.dvsc.co.uk or email tom@dvsc.co.uk. Follow them on Facebook at @DVSCDenbighshire, Instagram @DVSC_Denbighshire and Twitter @DVSC_Wales.

News

Soap legend leads cast of dementia-friendly audio series on 60s seaside town

A SOAP opera legend heads the cast of a new audio series about Rhyl in the 1960s.

The three-part drama – specially commissioned by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council’s Dementia Aware team – brings to life a chapter of The Reso, written by local author Ambrose Conway.

Evoking Bank Holiday memories of the seaside resort in the sixties, as seen through the eyes of David, a young boy growing up on ‘The Reso’ council estate, the programme was adapted by award winning playwright Toby Hulse and produced by Rhyl’s Steve Allan Jones, supported by North Wales charity Action for Arts.

Heading up the cast is Flint star Ian Puleston-Davies, best known for his role as Corrie builder Owen Armstrong, in the role of narrator and adult David.

The Reso cast is largely made up of local actors, with a special appearance by Matthew Campbell, the voice of Chase in the popular UK dubbed children’s TV series, Paw Patrol.

Musician Steve, a former member of The Alarm, who is currently touring with Spear of Destiny, is proud to have played a part in bringing the book to life via audio recording.

“This has been a real labour of love, but wonderful to be working with Ian and the supporting ensemble,” he said.

Executive producer Alison Carter added: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with DVSC, exploring dementia-friendly ways of creating new audio theatre.

“We have been very lucky to work with Ian and the North Wales cast – particularly the young actors who have been a pleasure to have on board.

“I’m sure this series will be very nostalgic for those who grew up in the 1960s era.”

The Reso is free to listen to and can be found on the Action for Arts website, with links to each episode and information about the production team and cast.

For more, visit www.actionforarts.org.uk/the-reso.

News

Health and wellbeing events to support North Wales community post-pandemic

EVENTS designed to promote health and wellbeing, charities and small businesses will take place in Ruthin over the coming months.

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) has lined up online and in-person activities – held at the town’s revamped Market Hall – to support the local community post-pandemic.

Supported by the UK Government’s Community Referral Fund, they include four virtual health, fitness and nutrition workshops beginning today (October 6) with Elen Lloyd, a certified exercise and holistic lifestyle coach with the CHEK Institute, an award-winning education provider.

“I’m a working mother and farmer’s wife so life is always busy, but I believe in a holistic approach to health by moving, eating well and finding time for yourself,” said Elen.

“Over the course of the four sessions I’ll give tips on how to live a healthy and fulfilled life – which is more important than ever given the challenges of the last few years – using the ‘Four Doctors Method’ which covers diet, quiet, happiness and movement.

“These will be simple and realistic changes which could make a big difference to people’s lives, so I hope they will join me to find out more.”

DVSC recently held business development workshops for the county’s market traders and food producers and in the run up to Christmas the Ruthin Market Hall is to host family barbecue and pizza nights, a Wear It Pink cancer awareness coffee morning and a free Halloween disco.

There will also be regular meetings with Ruthin Town Churches, who unite people concerned about their futures and end of life, as part of their Grave Matters series.

Following the unveiling of a new partnership with Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC, which will continue to develop events and exhibitions at the Market Street venue, DVSC Chief Officer Tom Barham said even more will be done to improve the local offering for residents and visitors.

“Ruthin is a vibrant town with a strong sense of community, so we are delighted to announce these upcoming activities,” he added.

“And with the market itself now open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays we look forward to welcoming even more people and giving independent producers a platform to showcase their products.

“The Market Hall is the beating heart of Ruthin and with the plans we have for the rest of 2022 and beyond that looks set to continue for many years to come.”

Visit www.dvsc.co.uk for more on the DVSC. Alternatively, follow them on Facebook at @DVSCDenbighshire, Instagram @DVSC_Denbighshire and Twitter @DVSC_Wales.

For tickets to the online workshops with Elen Lloyd, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom–denbighshire/elen-lloyd/

News

Pop-Punk rocker developing film and photography venture for entrepreneurs

A TALENTED musician who launched a creative business in lockdown is shooting for start-up success. 

Rob Grey is making waves with his new venture, Rad Stuff Photo Video.

With the support of Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council’s (DVSC) Change Makers project, the 29 year-old is now winning contracts and clients across North Wales and beyond.

Based in Rhyl, Rob is lead singer of pop-punk band Everyone and Anyone and discovered his flair for the visual while on tour with another group who needed someone to capture their performances on camera.

Just months later he was making plans to unveil the business when disaster struck and COVID-19 hit the UK; but that did not stop Rob, who decided to “just go for it” and never looked back.

Since the start of 2021 he has been collaborating with Ruthin’s DVSC on the Change Makers initiative profiling businesses that set up or ‘pivoted’ during the pandemic, and is excited at what the future holds.

“When Covid arrived it was the complete unknown, but I knew I had to just go for it,” said Rob, a former pupil at Prestatyn High School.

“I have worked hard and learnt as I go, picking up clients via word of mouth and social media, particularly YouTube.

“Throughout lockdown I thought it would be a good opportunity to develop my video and photography skills, given we were all stuck indoors with time on our hands.

“I really enjoy it and was excited to work on this new series of films with Change Makers; it’s a chance to tell the stories of some interesting North Wales businesses and explore how they’ve coped with Covid-19.

“It has been a tough time for everyone, and we are mindful of that, but there are also a lot of people who grasped the opportunity to do something fresh and different; we want to tell their stories.”

Change Makers was made possible by the Welsh Government’s Foundational Economy Challenge Fund and is a catalyst for ideas and a new breed of social enterprise, embracing the promotion of contemporary artisan markets, traders and crafters, whilst providing emerging entrepreneurs and ‘startisans’ with training and advice on how to turn a hobby or passion into a new career.

Ali Carter, Enterprise and Investment Manager for DVSC, mentored Rob and co-produced the series.

“Rob is a young and dynamic creative who was not going to let the Coronavirus stop him from pursuing his dream,” she said.

“He is an example of someone with the passion and drive to be successful, much like the other entrepreneurs and start-ups we will work with in the future.

“Some have rolled with the punches and adapted to the challenges of Coronavirus, while others had time to reflect in lockdown and decided the time was right to do something different.

“We want to hear from people this applies to, people who, like Rob, just went for it and are making their mark during this unprecedented time in all of our lives.”

For more information contact ali@dvsc.co.uk.

You can view the videos via the DVSC social media channels (@DVSC_Wales) from this Friday (September 17).

Visit www.dvsc.co.uk for more on Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council.

Networks, North Wales

Historic Welsh market to be revamped as part of new creative community launch

INDEPENDENT artisans, traders and creative businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their products virtually thanks to the vision of a leading community organisation.

With markets, small firms and shops across North Wales forced to close due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) is about to launch a new venture – Change Makers Markets.

With the aim of creating innovative ways of supporting the local economy – made possible by the Welsh Government’s Foundational Economy Challenge Fund – Change Makers blends the virtual and digital worlds, incorporating a dedicated commercial training academy, one-to-one mentoring, funding advice and business planning guidance.

This will be coupled with a digital and broadcast shop front and the Change Makers Club, giving artisans, market traders and newly-emerging organisations a voice and promotional platform.

Alison Carter, Enterprise and Investment Manager for DVSC, says people can sign up for free training and future events via the Change Makers website and social media platforms.

“We are encouraging start-up businesses, makers and anyone who would normally sell from a market stall or pop-up venues to sign up as soon as possible,” she said.

“We are also in the process of refurbishing the Grade 2 listed Market Hall in Ruthin, which will launch as a safe, multi purpose space for trading and events later in the year.

“This will provide a significant town centre resource, to support economic regeneration and reinvigorate the independent business sector devastated by Covid-19.”

She added: “Change Makers is a really interesting, experimental concept, and DVSC is thrilled to also be partnering with Hwb Menter to assist with business advice, guidance and training.”

Change Makers are looking for local food and drink producers, designers, artisans, crafts companies, health and beauty, and sustainable/vintage fashion retailers to get involved.

Sara Lois Roberts, Enterprise Hub Co-ordinator for Hwb Menter, stressed the importance of the training and guidance element of the project.

“Collectively, we have a lot of expertise at our disposal and will be holding regular webinars and advice sessions,” she said.

“Members of the Change Makers community can contact us anytime, we will always be here with help and guidance, particularly during this challenging time for all industries.”

DVSC sees Change Makers as a catalyst for ideas and a new breed of social enterprise, embracing the promotion of contemporary artisan markets, traders, makers and crafters, whilst providing emerging entrepreneurs and ‘startisans’ with training and support to turn a hobby or passion into a new career in 2021.

“This is an opportunity to be entrepreneurial and innovative at a time when businesses really need some uplift, so we are hoping for a positive response,” added Alison.

For more information and to register for free, visit www.changemakersenterprises.com

Alternatively, join the Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/changemakersmarket