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South East Wales: The Voices for the future project

Bradford Stories Bus event with Imran

The Voices For The Future Project

The Voices for the Future Project is a dynamic collaboration between the National Literacy Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, designed to inspire and empower communities across Torfaen, Newport, and Caerphilly. Rooted in the rich legacy of Chartism, this initiative invites local people to explore their heritage, connect with powerful stories of social change, and contribute creatively to a shared cultural narrative.

The Voices for the Future poetry anthology

In the first phase of the project, we delivered a series of engaging workshops that introduced participants to the Chartist movement—its values, its history, and its relevance today. These sessions encouraged individuals of all ages to respond through poetry, resulting in a remarkable collection of over 100 original poems written by contributors aged 7 to 60+.

The outcome was the creation of the Voices For the Future Poetry Anthology. A vibrant and moving testament to the creativity and passion of our communities. This anthology captures diverse perspectives and voices, weaving together personal reflections with historical inspiration.

Free print copies of the anthology are available at:

  • Newport Museum
  • Newport Rising Hub
  • Torfaen Museum
  • Gwent Archives

We are proud to be showcasing the project at the Chartist Book Fair at the Riverfront Theatre, and participating in the Newport Rising March on 1st November. Join us to discover more about the project and celebrate the spirit of Chartism.

Voices For the Future poetry anthology cover

Story Quests

We’re now excited to launch Stage Two of the project: Story Quests—interactive family history trails that bring Chartist heritage to life across Newport, Torfaen, and Caerphilly.

These immersive experiences will guide families through key historical sites, blending storytelling, local history, and fun activities that encourage exploration and learning. Each trail is designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of the Chartist legacy in a hands-on, memorable way.

If you’d like to be part of this creative journey, we’re inviting community members to join workshops led by the National Literacy Trust, in collaboration with a local artist and poet, to help shape these Story Quests. We are now beginning stage two of the project collaborating with the community to create four different Story Quests (family history trails based on Chartist sites in Newport, Torfaen and Caerphilly) where families will be able to walk in the footsteps of the Chartists and take part in fun activities.

If you would like to take part in workshops run by the National Literacy trust in collaboration with a local artist and poet to create a Story Quest please contact the Project Officer: Sian Chaney-Price

Y prosiect Lleisiau ar gyfer y Dyfodol

Mae’r prosiect Lleisiau ar gyfer y Dyfodol yn gydweithrediad deinamig rhwng yr Ymddiriedolaeth Lythrennedd Genedlaethol a Chronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol, a luniwyd i ysbrydoli a grymuso cymunedau ledled Torfaen, Casnewydd a Chaerffili. Mae’r fenter hon, sydd â’i gwreiddiau yn etifeddiaeth gyfoethog Siartiaeth, yn gwahodd pobl leol i archwilio eu treftadaeth, cysylltu â straeon grymus am newid cymdeithasol, a chyfrannu’n greadigol at naratif diwylliannol a rennir.

Blodeugerdd Lleisiau ar gyfer y Dyfodol

Yn ystod cam cyntaf y prosiect, cynhaliwyd cyfres o weithdai diddorol a gyflwynodd y cyfranogwyr i fudiad y Siartwyr – ei werthoedd, ei hanes a’i berthnasedd heddiw. Anogodd y sesiynau hyn unigolion o bob oed i ymateb trwy farddoniaeth, gan arwain at gasgliad rhyfeddol o fwy na 100 o gerddi gwreiddiol a gyfansoddwyd gan gyfranwyr o 7 i 60+ oed.

Arweiniodd hyn at greu Blodeugerdd Lleisiau ar gyfer y Dyfodol. Tystiolaeth fywiog a llawn teimlad o greadigrwydd ac angerdd ein cymunedau. Mae’r flodeugerdd hon yn cyfleu safbwyntiau a lleisiau amrywiol, gan gydblethu myfyrdodau personol ag ysbrydoliaeth hanesyddol.

Mae copïau argraffedig am ddim o’r flodeugerdd ar gael yn:

  • Amgueddfa Casnewydd
  • Hyb Gwrthryfel Casnewydd
  • Amgueddfa Torfaen
  • Archifau Gwent

Rydym yn falch o fod yn arddangos y prosiect yn y Ffair Lyfrau Siartiaeth yn Theatr Glan yr Afon, a chymryd rhan yng Ngorymdaith Gwrthryfel Casnewydd ar ddydd Sadwrn 1 Tachwedd. Ymunwch â ni i ddarganfod mwy am y prosiect a dathlu ysbryd Siartiaeth.

Voices For the Future poetry anthology cover

Cwestau Straeon

Rydym bellach yn gyffrous i lansio ail gam ein prosiect, sef Cwestau Straeon – llwybrau hanes teulu rhyngweithiol sy’n rhoi bywyd i dreftadaeth y Siartwyr ledled Casnewydd, Torfaen a Chaerffili.

Bydd y profiadau ymdrochol hyn yn arwain teuluoedd trwy safleoedd hanesyddol allweddol, gan gyfuno adrodd straeon, hanes lleol a gweithgareddau difyr sy’n annog archwilio a dysgu. Mae pob llwybr wedi’i lunio i danio chwilfrydedd a dyfnhau dealltwriaeth o etifeddiaeth y Siartwyr mewn ffordd ymarferol a chofiadwy.

Os hoffech fod yn rhan o’r daith greadigol hon, rydym yn gwahodd aelodau o’r gymuned i ymuno â gweithdai a arweinir gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Lythrennedd Genedlaethol, ar y cyd ag artist a bardd lleol, i helpu i ffurfio’r Cwestau Straeon hyn. Rydym bellach yn dechrau ail gam y prosiect, gan gydweithio â’r gymuned i greu pedwar Cwest Stori gwahanol lle y bydd teuluoedd yn gallu dilyn ôl troed y Siartwyr a chymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau difyr.

Os hoffech gymryd rhan mewn gweithdai a gynhelir gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Lythrennedd Genedlaethol ar y cyd ag artist a bardd lleol i greu Cwest Stori, cysylltwch â Swyddog y Prosiect: Sian Chaney-Price

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