Welfare Ystradgynlais

Welfare Ystradgynlais Built from the miners pennies in 1934 & the heart of our community, The Welfare is an arts & community centre in the upper Swansea Valley.
(1)

Registered Charity no: 1054054

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️CELEBRATE IN STYLE AT THE WELFARE🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈This June, we’re proud to celebrate LGBTQIA+ stories, voices and hist...
13/06/2026

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️CELEBRATE IN STYLE AT THE WELFARE🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

This June, we’re proud to celebrate LGBTQIA+ stories, voices and history with a fantastic programme of films and community events.

Join us for 3000 Le****ns Go to York on 17 June, a joyful documentary following the story of a Q***r Arts Festival, followed by a chance to build a Pride scarecrow together.

Then on 22 and 25 June, enjoy Madfabulous, an uplifting and unapologetic celebration of otherness inspired by a true story, accompanied by the Welsh-language short film Never, Never, Never.

The month culminates with Ystrad Pride on Saturday 27 June, gathering at Café Chameleon to celebrate our vibrant community.

Pride is not only a celebration of who we are today, but also a recognition of the solidarity that helped shape our communities. Here in the South Wales Valleys, that history runs deep. During the miners’ strike of 1984–85, the group Le****ns and G**s Support the Miners (LGSM) forged an extraordinary bond with mining communities, raising funds and standing shoulder to shoulder with striking families. In return, those communities became some of the strongest supporters of LGBTQIA+ rights, helping to create lasting change that can still be felt today.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Everyone is welcome. Join us as we celebrate stories, history, community and Pride.

13/06/2026

Inspired by an extraordinary true story, Madfabulous is a bold, funny and unapologetic celebration of individuality, starring BAFTA nominee Callum Scott Howells and Rupert Everett.

When the flamboyant Henry Paget inherits his title and fortune in 1890s North Wales, he turns aristocratic expectations on their head. His love of theatre, extravagance and self-expression scandalises high society but delights the local community. Supported by his spirited cousin Lily and devoted butler Gelert, Henry sets out to forge his own path while facing family pressures, rigid traditions and the lingering influence of his father.

Each screening of Madfabulous will be preceded by Never, Never, Never, a short Welsh-language film from our friends at Iris Prize.

Running time: 108 minutes.
🎟https://thewelfare.co.uk/Shows/madfabulous-12a/

13/06/2026

THEY'RE BACK!
Anyone else grow up watching Toy Story as Andy, only to realise you're now Andy's mam?!
or as our Marketing Officer pointed out: "I'm Andy's gran!"🥲
The little '90s kid in us are smiling today. Some stories really do last a lifetime.

Let's get nostalgic together from 20 July. Dig out your old VHS tapes, bring along your favourite Toy Story toy, or if you're feeling brave, the infamous Lillypad. We'll be celebrating the film that grew up right alongside us.

Set sail for a wildly silly adventure to the most mysterious place never found… The Impossible Island of Flabbergast!Joi...
13/06/2026

Set sail for a wildly silly adventure to the most mysterious place never found… The Impossible Island of Flabbergast!

Join Flossy and Boo as they journey through upside-down worlds, baffling choices, fantastical creatures and delightfully ridiculous discoveries. With live music, interactive fun, clever comedy and plenty of chaotic charm, this family show is packed with surprises from start to finish.

The only question is… if something seems impossible, has nobody just tried it yet?

Pay What You Can: £7, £9 or £11

Our Pay What You Can ticket scheme lets you choose the price that works best for you. Lower-priced tickets are subsidised, while choosing the top price helps support The Welfare and our community activities.

Expect laughter, imagination, and a healthy dose of flabbergasting nonsense.
🎟https://thewelfare.co.uk/Shows/flossy-boo-the-impossible-island-of-flabbergast/

HEDDIW"The visits I had with your movement classes at both the studio followed by immersive in the natural outdoors .. h...
13/06/2026

HEDDIW
"The visits I had with your movement classes at both the studio followed by immersive in the natural outdoors .. have been highly influential to both my writing and artistic practice, whilst finalising a masters degree at Cardiff Met University.
The studio warm ups instilled a thought provoking relaxation and body knowledge much needed to then fully immerse oneself in the more expansive external experience of the landscape.\2

“ it was an unusual form of dance that I hadn’t any experience with. I found it a very interesting way to connect to a vulnerable part of my creativity, by moving my body without music it was an intuitive and innocent process, that was challenging and rewarding.

Moving within nature had been a big part of my adult life but to do so with a different lens was very fulfilling and confronting. It opened my eyes to a much deeper level of understanding the natural environment and myself, to be witnessed also gave an angle of permission to go full throttle into that innocence and vulnerability.

I came away feeling very peaceful and connected. “

Today! Heddiw

12/06/2026

One of the things that makes Panedeni so distinctive is the combination of instruments and musical traditions.

The group brings together bagpipes, violin, darbuka, bass and vocals in multiple languages, creating a sound that moves between cultures while feeling completely natural.

Their performances meld traditional influences with original compositions sung in Arabic, Welsh and English, and will also include some Arabic dancing.

Take a listen to this clip and discover a sound unlike anything else in our programme this year.

Friday 26th June, 8pm

Founder and Artistic Director of the Welsh Chamber Orchestra, Anthony Hose has conducted with leading orchestras and ope...
12/06/2026

Founder and Artistic Director of the Welsh Chamber Orchestra, Anthony Hose has conducted with leading orchestras and opera companies across Europe and beyond.

Next Thursday, he'll lead an evening featuring two of the greatest symphonies ever written alongside a brand-new Welsh commission.

Thursday 18th June, 7pm: Pre-concert intro | 7.30pm: Concert
🎟️ Tickets from £10: https://thewelfare.co.uk/Shows/welsh-chamber-orchestra

12/06/2026

Effi o Blaenau (15)

Effi is desperate to escape a town where the pubs are closed, the jobs have vanished and her grandmother works night shifts in the local chip shop just to get by. A chance encounter in a Llandudno nightclub with injured soldier Lee, played by Tom Rhys Harries, briefly opens a door to something better. For a moment, Effi glimpses a life she never imagined.

The reality that follows is far tougher. Effi's story exposes a stark social crisis with too many impossible choices made out of necessity rather than care. Leisa Gwenllian gives a searing performance as Effi, evoking condemnation and sympathy in equal measures.

Big-screen Welsh language adaptation of Gary Owen's award-winning play Iphigenia in Splott. With English subtitles


🎟https://thewelfare.co.uk/Shows/effi-o-blaenau-15/
Friday 3 Jul 2026 13:00
Friday 3 Jul 2026 19:30
Monday 6 Jul 2026 19:00

"This is absolutely brilliant. Go and see it.""The audience loved it, and were reactive from the beginning to the end.""...
11/06/2026

"This is absolutely brilliant. Go and see it."
"The audience loved it, and were reactive from the beginning to the end."
"A class act from Lighthouse as always."

Come see for yourself... Lighthouse Theatre's White Lies by Robert Shearman on Friday 19th June, 7.30pm here at The Welfare.

Tickets from £10: https://thewelfare.co.uk/Shows/lighthouse-theatre-presents-white-lies/

Before our 7pm screening of All That’s Left of You on Monday the 15th of June , we’re delighted to welcome Reema from Tŷ...
11/06/2026

Before our 7pm screening of All That’s Left of You on Monday the 15th of June , we’re delighted to welcome Reema from Tŷ Filastein, who will be offering a wonderful selection of authentic Palestinian produce.
From delicious traditional treats to Palestinian olive oil and Palestinian cola, this is a great opportunity to support Palestinian producers and discover something new before the film begins.
Be sure to arrive a little early and take a look at what’s on offer.

Address

Brecon Road
Ystradgynlais
SA91JJ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+441639843163

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Welfare Ystradgynlais posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category