Fjones_initiative

12/06/2026

Congratulations to Jane Townend, our June winner who is being nominated for her extraordinary dedication to supporting refugees, displaced families, and vulnerable communities both locally and internationally. Since founding the charity in 2015, Jane has helped raise more than £300,000, delivering life-changing aid to people around the globe. Closer to home, she established a refugee hub in Wrexham that provides practical support, friendship, training, volunteering opportunities, and pathways into employment and business.

Jane has also championed community integration through initiatives such as the Peace Kitchen, cultural partnerships, and support for refugee-led businesses including Anna’s Ukrainian Bakery and Khana Beluchi. Her work has transformed countless lives, creating opportunities, hope, and a sense of belonging for people rebuilding their futures.

Through her compassion, determination, and tireless commitment to others, Jane has made a remarkable impact both locally and around the world.

05/06/2026

Dan has made an outstanding contribution to the local community through his dedication to fundraising and volunteering. Over the past ten years, he has helped raise more than £130,000 for Nightingale House Hospice in partnership with his employer. During this time, he has taken part in numerous fundraising challenges, including runs and abseils, and has served on event committees to support the hospice's vital work.

This year alone, Dan successfully secured a £10,000 donation for the charity. He also played a key role in establishing and organising the first-ever Terry Fox Run in Wrexham, which has raised an impressive £25,000 over the past two years.

In addition to his fundraising efforts, Dan has dedicated more than three years of service as a Trustee and Secretary of the 1st Gwersyllt Scout Group, helping to support and develop opportunities for young people within the community.

His commitment, leadership, and generosity of spirit make him a truly deserving nominee.

Well done Dan!

04/06/2026

Absolutely smashing it Susan well done!!! Please donate! See the link below 🚶‍♀️

23/05/2026

A huge thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and partners for supporting Ladies Day here at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse!🏇

Race Sponsors
🍻Wrexham Lager
✨Fjones_initiative
🛍️Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Annual Partners
💼Xenon Workplace
🍻Wrexham Lager
🫗Radnor Hills

And a special thank you to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet for contributing to our Best Dressed competition.🏆

15/05/2026

Today we celebrate the fabulous NEW Sinfonia 🎉

Robert Guy and his brother Jon founded NEW Sinfonia in 2011. They were part of a group of friends from Wrexham and wanted to keep making music in Wrexham. They always felt like the underdogs – Robert was born 70% deaf and it was his Nana who lives in Llay who taught him piano who noticed this. Jon and Robert were told by major national organisations don't bother creating a professional orchestra in Wrexham - there is no audience for classical music. We like to feel we have proved them wrong.

NEW Sinfonia is now a multi-faceted arts organisation with a professional chamber orchestra, community vocal ensemble NEW Voices and an education programme NEW Academi, based in Wrexham and across North Wales. They create work for over 100 freelancers each year, engage 1000s of young people in their community work and bring together up to 150 singers from all parts of our community. Raising money over for local based charities such as Nightingale House Hospice and others.

NEW Sinfonia welcomed organisations and artists across Wrexham and North Wales to create a week of remembrance to mark 90 years since the Gresford mining disaster in September 2024. Central to NEW Sinfonia's contribution was the commissioning of a new community opera written by Jon and with words by poet Grahame Davies (who is from Coedpoeth), adding value to the collective memory of Gresford, and exploring its lasting relevance and significance to the people of Wales and beyond today. The themes of loss, social injustice, and powerlessness, as well as those of triumph over adversity and celebration of cultural identity and community are all central to the Gresford story.

’We wanted to bring this ‘emotional story’ to life, in a way which stimulates conversation, brings people together, and helps audiences (from all corners of our community) connect the Gresford story with their own contemporary experiences’.

This Gresford project brought together all the strands of the charity. The professional orchestra with 350 local school children playing alongside as part of the Academi. The NEW Voices Community Choir - all-inclusive vocal ensemble of around 150 enthusiastic members come from all walks of life and share a passion for singing. They have people from the UAREUK Refugee hub, so each week you hear Welsh, English, Afrikaans, Ukrainian and more on a Saturday morning. The cast of professional 6 soloists. All produced Spectacular visuals projected into the beams/arches of St Giles.

This spectacular opera was commissioned and the ‘Gresford Tour’ early in 2026 was featured across Wales, including the Stiwt Theatre ,Rhos.

08/05/2026

Congratulations Richie Jones 🎉

Richie has been nominated for one of our awards for his volunteering work for many years coaching children and adults to play futsal.

Also coached an adult team too. PF Cymru Wrexham adults’ team got through to the European Futsal Champions League, he gives up free time to the club he helps run, washes kits, give transport, as well as coaches.

Richie has been involved coaching futsal in the area since 2011. He started at Wrexham futsal, coaching Men’s, Women’s and youth teams. He has since coached futsal at Cefn Druids and PF Cymru and currently coaches Wrexham Foresters. He has taken teams to the UEFA Champions league on 5 occasions.

Most recently taking PF Cymru to Bulgaria with a squad full of young local players three of which were just 16 yrs old.

Some of the successes include:
✅ 7 players progressing from youth to Welsh national team
✅ Wrexham Futsal ladies winning the FAW Midlands league 2017
✅ Cefn Druids winning the FAW futsal league 2022
✅ PF Cymru winning the FAW futsal league 2024

Richie is the heart of the club, and it couldn’t run without him.

06/05/2026

01/05/2026

🌸 MAY WINNER - Susan Dray 🌸

Susan, a grieving mother who lost her son Daniel to su***de in 2021. She has spent the last 18 months walking, talking, campaigning and supporting others who have been impacted by su***de.

Whilst not born in Wrexham, she now lives locally and has done so much for our communities within su***de prevention, creating safe spaces for people to open up and talk about their experience, fundraising for local charities and spreading awareness.

Susan was the Project Lead for the Baton of Hope (the UK's largest su***de prevention initiative) Wrexham tour which saw hundreds of people gather in Wrexham all in support of su***de prevention.

She has also recently walked 60 miles in 2 days to mark her 60th birthday, raising money for Papyrus and Wrexham-based mental health charity Advance Brighter Futures. To see how she has taken her pain and turned it into something positive and found the strength to help and support others, and campaign and raise money and awareness just so that no other family has to experience what she has, is so inspiring.

Susan is also planning a 2026 walk in Daniel’s name to raise funds for Papyrus and Advance Brighter Futures in May/June this year walking 180 miles from Wrexham to Whitley Bay, where Daniel was born

She is a true Wrexham hero! She has chosen Wrexham, and now Wrexham has chosen her as one of our own.

Congratulations Susan! 🎉

24/04/2026

Join us in celebrating a century of bringing arts, entertainment, and togetherness to Wrexham!

The Stiwt Theatre, a cherished cultural gem in Wrexham, North Wales, has been at the heart of its community for 100 years. This beautiful 450-seat proscenium arch theatre, complemented by three flexible event spaces, offers a remarkably diverse programme that caters to all tastes and ages.

From separate Welsh and English pantomimes - with the Welsh production in November and the English one running throughout December - to various performances, the Stiwt embodies the spirit of inclusivity and cultural celebration. The theatre hosts impressive events, including classical concerts, choral performances, pop music shows, and popular tribute bands. Theatre enthusiasts can enjoy plays in both Welsh and English, reflecting the region's linguistic heritage.

Beyond performances, the Stiwt serves as a vibrant community hub. Its spaces buzz with activity throughout the week, hosting dance classes, yoga sessions, and fitness groups and providing rehearsal venues for local music ensembles. This multifaceted use of the building ensures it remains a living, breathing part of daily life in Wrexham.

Managed by a dedicated team and supported by the passionate Stiwt Arts Trust and Friends of the Stiwt, this historic venue is more than just a theatre - it's a cornerstone of community life, built and maintained by and for its people. The Stiwt's commitment to the arts, local engagement, and preservation of cultural heritage makes it a vital institution in North Wales.