Community and Social Engagement

Back To My Plan

The Spirit of the Valleys

 The Rhondda and Ogmore constituency is more than just a collection of disconnected valleys – it’s a community built on shared values, strong connections, and an unshakable spirit. We’re often told who we used to be – mining towns, industrial valleys, working-class strongholds. But here’s who we are right now.

Who We Are

This constituency is home to just over 100,000 people. One in five is under 18. One in five is over 65. And over half of us are aged 25–64 – the backbone of our communities: the workers, carers, parents, and volunteers who keep everything going.

 97.4% of residents were born in the UK, the highest rate anywhere in the country. 97.7% are white, highlighting a responsibility we’ve always held dear: to make sure Rhondda and Ogmore is not only proud of its own identity, but open, welcoming and ready to grow as a diverse and inclusive place.

 And while some might expect traditional beliefs to dominate here, in fact, Rhondda and Ogmore has the highest percentage of people in the UK who say they have no religion – 61.3%. That tells us something important: our values don’t come from a pulpit or a book, but from the culture of community we’ve built for ourselves. We believe in fairness, in sticking together, and in looking out for one another, regardless of background or belief.

Service, Sacrifice, and Pride

We also proudly honour those who’ve served. Over 3,000 veterans live in our constituency – around 4% of the population – with just over half now retired and many still active in civic life. Their presence is a quiet but powerful reminder of the sacrifice and service that lives on in our community DNA.

 So yes, the Rhondda is changing – but it’s changing on our terms. We’re keeping the best of what we’ve always been, and shaping the future with pride, energy, and purpose. We are one of the most community-oriented places in the UK. We look out for each other, and it shows. Our strong social bonds contribute to lower levels of crime that harm communities, like theft, drug misuse, and anti-social behaviour. It’s that “spirit of the Valleys” – the kind that rolls up its sleeves, volunteers time, and rallies round when people need help most.

Powered by People, Not Profit

Behind every statistic is a story. A mother getting vital bereavement support from Mothers Matter CIC. A young person finding purpose and confidence through the King’s Trust. Volunteers from Welcome Friends offering comfort to those who feel isolated. Our community groups – powered by people, not profit – are the backbone of life in the valleys.

 Just last year, the National Lottery invested over £100,000 in these groups. Projects like Rhondda Amateur Boxing Club and People and Work Unit are changing lives – helping our children, strengthening our families, and lifting up our neighbours.

A Natural Treasure

But we are also a place of jaw-dropping natural beauty. Over 85% of our land is green space – thick forests, rolling hills, and open farmland. In Rhondda, 97% of people live within a stone’s throw of an accessible green space – the highest in all of Wales. These aren’t just places to pass through. They are places to breathe, to walk, to cycle, to explore – it’s a goldmine of potential.

 Hikers, cyclists, and nature-lovers would travel from all over the world to experience what we take for granted. From the misty peaks to the forest trails, we have the raw beauty – and the warm welcome – to turn Rhondda into a tourism success story. Let’s shout about it. Let’s take our pride to the world and bring the world back here. From the dramatic ridgelines of Craig y Llyn to the peaceful trails winding through our valleys, Rhondda and Ogmore is a hidden gem just waiting to shine on the world stage.

 That’s why we need to take pride in what we have and share it far and wide. Tourism can unlock so much potential – bringing visitors to our area, our trails, our stories. We have a proud heritage rooted in coal and courage, and a future fuelled by community, creativity, and connection. Our culture, our accent, our warmth – these are things people travel to find. So let’s champion who we are. Not as separate valleys or forgotten towns, but as one united Rhondda and Ogmore – proud, beautiful, and ready to welcome the world.

What Needs to Change

  • Better access to green space and active travel routes
  • A strategy for sustainable tourism that puts us on the map
  • Support for local groups and the people who power them
  • Pride in our culture, our history and our stories

My targets for Building Community

  • Maintain our sense of community.
  • Encourage and bolster grants and funding that underpins volunteering and community efforts.
  • Develop a plan in partnership with our local councils for historic buildings that are no longer in use, either to repurpose them or take them down.

Action from the Labour Government

  • Ensure arts, music and culture aren’t just for the privileged few.
  • Bring art collections to local communities, collaborating with Arts Council of Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales.
  • Harness the UK Government’s diplomatic and trade networks to champion Wales across the world – celebrating Welsh culture, products and services.
  • £118 million extra spending over the next three years on disused coal tips – preventing disasters, generating employment
  • Launch a new Brand Wales programme promoting Welsh investment opportunities and exports around the world.

My Local Action Plan

  • Support Clean Street Campaigns to tackle fly-tipping, litter, and graffiti, holding councils to account for quick action.
  • Work hand in hand with local councillors, community groups, and residents to identify and fix problems in our neighbourhoods.
  • Annual Community Awards to recognise the volunteers, groups, and local heroes who make Rhondda and Ogmore stronger.