Fishguard Storytelling /Straeon Sir Benfro and People Speak Up have been running a series of events across Pembrokeshire in 2025, bringing people and communities together.

Storytellers Hedydd Hughes and Deb Winter have been sharing storytelling with those who can’t get out and about. Hedydd has entertained those in residential care homes and Deb has brought stories into people’s homes.

Storyteller Deb Winter said: “Bringing the arts to those who can’t get out makes them feel valued and part of the community. It really lifts people’s spirits to listen to stories and share their own.”

Supported by Enhancing Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire County Council, the 12 month project, ‘Care, Share, Connect: Community Storytelling Pembrokeshire,’ is using oral storytelling to connect residents of Pembrokeshire, and deliver friendly, inclusive community storytelling events, active learning workshops and one-to-one storytelling to those isolated/unable to travel.

The project started in September 2024.

Storytellers Hedydd Hughes, Phil Okwedy and Judy Schunemann have also been working in residential settings and people’s homes since.

Fishguard Storytelling/Straeon Sir Benfro and People Speak Up have previously worked in partnership to deliver community projects in both North and South Pembrokeshire, such as Voluntary Arts Wales (now Creative Lives) project ‘Story Care and Share’, delivering Stories to the Door and by phone to isolated older people, and people’s homes, including those in the early stages of dementia.

Both organisations want Care, Share, Connect: Community Storytelling to provide opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to enjoy the positive mental health and well-being benefits that sharing oral stories brings.

“We know first-hand from our previous projects the important impact arts and creativity can have on the health and wellbeing on our older communities, especially those living in rural areas of Wales.

“We hope through this project, the power of storytelling can bring more communities together, helping with health, wellbeing and isolation,” said Eleanor Shaw, founder and chief executive officer of People Speak Up.

Care, Share, Connect : Community Storytelling Pembrokeshire is led by professional local Pembrokeshire storyteller Deb Winter, building on her own successful development of storytelling activities and inviting other local artists and collaborators to take part.

As well as delivering stories to isolated people, Deb Winters also ran a Storytelling Skills workshop for beginners, a community Story Share, and five Story-and-Music events.

The next event will be - ‘The Restless River’ on Wednesday, July 9 at 7 pm in Peppers Cafe where storytellers will be celebrating rain and rivers!

People Speak Up (PSU) is a social, arts, health, mental-health, and well-being community organisation. PSU connects people to help them find their voice, and create healthier and resilient communities through storytelling, spoken word, creative writing, conversation-based activities, participatory arts, volunteering and training.

As well as working across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, their home is the Arts, Health and Wellbeing Hub (the old Zion Chapel), Park Street, Llanelli.

PSU also are part of the Carmarthenshire Living Well Centre, Parc Dewi Sant, Carmarthen along with 20 other organisations supporting the local community.

For the latest events, please visit: peoplespeakup.co.uk