Welcome to The Valleys Lead
Going behind the headlines to share stories from people in the South Wales Valleys
There’s just something about the South Wales Valleys that makes it one of the best places in the world to live. Something wild. Something personal. Something healing. Something creative. Something passionate.
When I moved to Merthyr 15 years ago, making it the home I’d raise my family in, it immediately felt like home, simply because of the generous, hospitable hearts of the people I’ve met all along the way. People who are passionate, warm, intelligent, humorous, and hard-working – again – there’s just something about them, something special.
The Valleys Lead is a chance to explore these valleys and their people in greater depth. We’re going to go behind the headlines and learn more about who lives in our valleys, what they care about, what they want and need.
The award-winning Lead network is already doing fabulous work – on a national and local level. It’s a pleasure to extend their original, in-depth, reporting and campaigning coverage to our Valleys.
I’m hoping The Valleys Lead will shine a light on progress, ingenuity, and community cohesion, elevating the “good stuff” that makes our hearts beat with pride.
But I also want to dig deeper into the problems experienced first-hand by locals, ask who is responsible for change, and push to find how this change should happen.
This newsletter is about paying attention, listening to what you are talking about on our streets, in our clubs, cafes, and choirs, in community halls, workplaces, and schools. And then writing about it, for all to see.
We’ll ask the same questions you already are asking. Questions about housing, education, transportation, social care, politics, health, and environment (just to name a few).
We’ll do it together.
Looking beyond press releases, I’ll aim to give you news with a wider perspective, focusing on the impact it has on the people and land of the South Wales Valleys.
There’s a lot happening in these Valleys in the coming weeks, months and years – let’s get started talking about all of it.
It’s worth noting, there are already so many other very talented journalists reporting in the Valleys, you can find some of them here. We are want to join their voices to talk more about the home we all love so much.
Although I’ve lived in the Valleys for a long time, I don’t know every corner of Merthyr, Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, Neath Port Talbot, or Caerphilly. So please do get in touch if there is something happening in your corner that we need to know about.
Just send us an email: valleys@thelead.uk
What can you expect from The Valleys Lead? A twice-weekly round-up of some of the biggest headlines, but you’ll also find deep dives behind those headlines, with exclusive interviews with locals, politicians, and charities.
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