People Speak Up seeks funding to expand vital community work

ELEANOR SHAW is the Director and founder of the charity, ‘People Speak Up’ in Llanelli.

Speaking  to Wales News Online today, Monday (Apr 16)  Eleanor told us that she founded the charity in 2017 having experienced the art of story telling on a course in Greece. She said: “I enjoyed the course so much and wondered if I could do something similar in my own community. I an from Pontlliw but I began the work here in Llanelli.”

The charity won an Arts and Culture Award last Friday at Theatre Ffwrnes, Llanelli.

They were nominated by the people of Carmarthen for their contribution to culture in the arts sector. Eleanor said that the charity works closely with people suffering and affected by life traumas, cancer and dementia. They also work in care homes.

For anyone interested in finding out a bit more about the charity they hold spoken word sessions on the second Saturday of the month where Eleanor says they help people feel ‘warm in their space’. People are encouraged to share poetry and stories. The average age is  60+ with the youngest member they have had being only seven-years-old.  

Eleanor said that there is a small charge of £3 for tea, coffee and biscuits. The charity are funded by Tesco, the National Lottery and local government in Carmarthenshire. At present Eleanor said that the charity  works with around 1000 people.

People Speak Up are running a free project for 11 to 17-year-olds on 24th and 25th of April. The event starts at 10am  and runs until 1pm.

Eleanor was already planning the next event before whizzing off to do a presentation for the University of the Third Age at Burry Port.