Celebrating the River Teifi and its communities, stories and ideas at the Senedd.
Nov 26
A unique community-driven project exploring the past, present and future of the River Teifi is coming to the Senedd, with an exhibition in Pierhead Futures Gallery from 14 November 2026 to 11 February 2027 sponsored by Anna Nicholl MS.
Llais yr Afon (Voice of the River) brings together the voices, creativity and knowledge of communities across the Lower Teifi Valley, creating a shared vision for the future of one of Wales’s most iconic rivers.
Arranged by lead partner Small World Theatre, the exhibition is the culmination of a collaborative project involving Save the Teifi, West Wales Rivers Trust, spacetocreate and Small World Theatre, bringing together artists, scientists, conservationists and local communities.
Inspired by the late Idris Mathias' historic map of the River Teifi (1945-1962) the project invited people to share their experiences, knowledge, memories and hopes for the river. Through workshops, school activities, community events and festivals, hundreds of contributions helped shape The People’s Plan for the river and a contemporary folk map.
The project was supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s Blue Spaces Programme. Five key themes emerged from the conversations: Access, Biodiversity, Food & Farming, Water Quality, and Culture & Heritage. Together, they reflect the importance of the river to local people and the need to protect its ecological health for future generations.
To mark the opening of the exhibition, environmental charity WWF Cymru is supporting the project by hosting a special event in the Pierhead Main Hall, Cardiff Bay on Tuesday 17 November, from 12pm to 1.15pm. The lunchtime event will include a panel discussion on the importance of arts engagement with communities to nature restoration.
Everyone is warmly invited to view the exhibition and celebrate the work and the communities behind Llais yr Afon.
Ann Shrosbree, Exec Director of Small World Theatre said:
"Llais yr Afon demonstrates what can happen when communities, artists and environmental organisations come together around a shared ambition. Local knowledge, arts engagement, citizen science and community action have contributed to a more sustainable future for this remarkable river."
Amethyst programme expands creative opportunities and wellbeing support for young people.
Sep 26
National Lottery funding will enable Small World Theatre’s Amethyst programme to continue supporting young people across Ceredigion and into Pembrokeshire over two years.
The Amethyst programme, run by Small World Theatre, is set to enter an exciting new phase with £99,999 funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. This vital resource will enable the organisation to continue creating opportunities for young people to support their mental health and wellbeing, build confidence and connect with others.
Over the next two years, the programme will focus on the mental health and wellbeing needs of young people aged 11–18 across Ceredigion, with activities also extending into Pembrokeshire.
For around a decade, Amethyst has supported some of the most vulnerable young people, making a lasting difference to the lives of many participants. Through art forms such as forum theatre, visual arts, music and DJ-ing and aerial circus skills, with psychological education the programme has offered young people a safe and welcoming environment where they can express themselves, find encouragement and build relationships.
“The sessions really helped me get up every week, be excited to go to school, not dread Mondays. Also helped my overall wellbeing, I’m so much happier”
“Meeting new friends and socialising has helped my well-being and made me feel included.”
The new funding will allow us to achieve several of our objectives; to reinstate the Monday group support sessions in Cardigan, to Pilot Amethyst Sir Penfro, working in the same ways we work in Cardigan, to reinstate our monthly Uplifting Aerial group and to pilot transition work in two local junior schools.
Deri, Youth Programmes Manager at Small World Theatre, said:
“The Amethyst programme is part of Small World Theatre’s wider commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for young people. We’re using creativity to support connection, confidence and wellbeing and we’re using this time to plan. Our highly trained team is also delighted to be connecting with groups in South Pembrokeshire to extend this support further.”
For more information about the Amethyst programme, please contact Deri at deri@smallworld.org.uk.
Small World benefits from a new electric van
We feel incredibly fortunate to have a new electric van, made possible through funding by the Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government. Small World Theatre was one of the arts organisations that benefitted from the Arts Capital Investment Fund announced on 16 September 2026.
The van is a vital resource and a great fit with our environmental ethos and commitment to reducing the impact of our work. The e-Sprinter will help us transport our puppets, equipment and materials while reducing the carbon emissions associated with our touring and activities.
Jan 26
Small World Theatre starts the year positively following a grant awarded by the Theatres Trust's Theatre Improvement Scheme, in association with the Wolfson Foundation, offering capital funding towards improvements and urgent repairs to its building.
Funding boost helps future-proof Small World Theatre’s eco-friendly venue.
Small World Theatre is an environmental theatre company renowned for creating giant puppets, public events such as the hugely popular Cardigan Giant Lantern Parade, and art commissions including Art Afoot / Celf ar Droed, the recent public art trail in Goodwick and Fishguard. Based in Cardigan, its venue is a hugely popular creative hub, delivering arts and wellbeing programmes, a thriving aerial circus school, a vibrant youth theatre, and presenting live shows and entertainment throughout the year.
Funding is for a three-part project to repair crucial features that contribute to the venue’s environmental credentials. These include repairing the rainwater harvesting system installed in 2008 for the toilets, washing machine and bathroom sinks - saving energy and costs associated with mains water distribution. The existing sedum roof has slipped and is damaged. Replacing it will provide insulation, reduce flood risk, extracts carbon, boosts oxygen and encourages pollinators. Lastly, damp repairs will save on heating costs and carbon emissions.
Theatres Trust CEO Joshua McTaggart says,
“Theatres Trust is delighted to support Small World Theatre with these crucial repairs, ensuring that the theatre company can continue to be a pioneer in sustainable theatre and offer a beacon of hope to its community in face of the climate emergency.”
