Over the last few months, you may have noticed something different about Activate West Wales.
Whether you’ve visited our new website, spotted us on social media or seen us out and about across the region, we’re starting to look and sound like the organisation we’ve always aspired to be.
When I joined on 1 July 2024, the Partnership was still very much in its infancy. Then called West Wales Sports Partnership, we recognised the need for a more coordinated and strategic approach to increasing opportunities for sport and physical activity across West Wales, but much of the groundwork and strategy planning work was still to be done. We were building everything from the ground up – our partnerships, systems, profile, and the foundations needed create lasting change for people and communities across the region.
Fast forward two years and, while we’re still only at the beginning of our journey, it genuinely feels like Activate West Wales is stepping into the spotlight.
Launching our strategy and official rebrand to Activate West Wales earlier this year was a huge milestone. Since then, we’ve focused on putting the right building blocks in place to deliver it.
Our new name, brand, website, and social channels have given us something we didn’t have before – a clear identity that reflects who we are and what we’re trying to achieve.
Of course, a new logo or website doesn’t create impact on its own. What it does is shine a light on the incredible work happening every day across communities in West Wales, and that’s where the real excitement lies.
For me, one of the most encouraging things has been seeing our funded partners and stakeholders embrace a different way of working. Our place-based approach is all about collaboration and looking beyond individual programmes and organisations to focus on what communities actually need.
Doing that is not always easy and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Many organisations across West Wales have spent years building trusted relationships and delivering fantastic work. It has always been important to me that Activate West Wales adds value rather than disrupts what’s already working. That’s why we’ve taken a phased approach – listening, learning and growing at the right pace.
It’s been brilliant to see partners leaning into that journey, building stronger relationships and exploring new ways of working together around shared outcomes. There’s still plenty to do, but the willingness to consider change, innovate and learn together has been inspiring.
We’ve also continued to grow our own team, which started as just me and Kate Williams, Head of Strategic Partnerships, from day zero. I’m now delighted to welcome Marie as our new Business Manager, and we’re looking forward to introducing our new Community Engagement and Insight Lead very soon. Alongside Alex from Disability Sport Wales and Alice our Women and Girls Lead, these appointments give us a fantastic team to take the next steps.
Recently, our Board and staff came together for a two-day away day on the Gower Peninsula. Alongside discussing our future plans, performance framework and organisational development, we also had the chance to spend time together away from agendas and meeting papers.
Not everything went to plan, though. Despite the various heatwaves we’ve had in recent months, believe it or not bad weather meant we had to cancel our planned boat trip, so we swapped it for archery and rifle shooting instead. Thankfully, nobody suggested balancing an apple on the CEO’s head – something I’m choosing to take as a vote of confidence rather than a health and safety decision!
More importantly, it reminded us how valuable it is to build relationships as people, not just colleagues. Strong organisations are built on trust, and spending time together outside the boardroom really matters.
As we head into summer, there’s so much to feel positive about. We’ve built momentum, strengthened partnerships, grown the team and laid foundations that will support Activate West Wales for years to come.
There’s still a long road ahead, but for the first time it feels like people can really see the organisation that so many have worked so hard to build.
I’m now looking forward to spending a couple of weeks in northern France with my family – hopefully with plenty of cycling, watersports, a little fishing and, if I can find the time, the occasional glass of French red.
Thank you to everyone who continues to follow and support Activate West Wales. Enjoy the summer, and we’ll see you for the next chapter of our journey.
