On 25th September, the Grand Theatre in Swansea came alive with energy, purpose, and community spirit as Stori proudly hosted its 2025 Annual General Meeting and Impact Celebration. This landmark event brought together partners, commissioners, stakeholders, colleagues, clients, and community members to reflect on the past year’s achievements and unveil our bold vision for the future.
Setting the Stage for Change
The day began with heartfelt opening remarks from Hugh Irwin, Chair of Stori, and Andrew Belcher, our CEO. Their speeches set a powerful tone—one of gratitude, reflection, and ambition. They celebrated the strength of our community and reaffirmed our commitment to putting people at the heart of everything we do.
Voices That Inspire
Following the formal AGM proceedings, the atmosphere shifted into one of celebration and inspiration as we began our Impact Celebration. We were honoured to receive a welcome message from Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, who underscored the vital role housing plays in supporting individuals and families. She offered heartfelt praise for the dedicated colleagues at Stori and similar organisations, describing them as
“The quiet heroes who work to make our communities stronger, more compassionate and more hopeful.”
Our keynote speaker, Stuart Ropke, CEO of Community Housing Cymru, delivered a stirring address that captured the essence of Stori’s mission. He praised Stori’s agility and innovation, stating:
“Collaboration is already part of your DNA… This is not just about survival. This is about innovation. It shows that being small does not mean being fragile; it can mean being agile.”
Impact in Action
Directors of Services Necia Lewis and Sharon Smith presented a compelling overview of our 2024–25 outcomes. Their insights showcased the dedication of our teams and the tangible difference we’ve made across communities. You can read more about our impact in our 2024/2025 Annual Report Here
Stories That Matter
One of the most moving moments of the day came from our client speakers. Three individuals bravely shared their personal journeys with Stori, including John*, who said:
“Because of the help I’ve got from Stori, my life is now back on track.”
These stories were a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. We are honoured to provide a platform for our clients to share their experiences and highlight the real-life impact of our work.
Education That Empowers
Sian Richards, Regional Lead for Addygs Cwtch took us through the evolution of our Education services. She celebrated the legacy of Spectrum, sharing that 311,025 children have attended sessions since 2014, and introduced our newest initiative, Addysg Cwtch.
A video message from Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education added further recognition, applauding the achievements of Spectrum and outlining the vision for Addysg Cwtch, which will provide supports teachers, leaders, and whole-school communities to confidently deliver high-quality Relationships and Sexuality Education. Lynne Neagle MS, stressed the importance of this to young people stating:
“This is more than education, it’s prevention, it’s protection, it’s preparation for life.”
Launching Our Future
We were thrilled to unveil our new 5-year strategy, a bold and innovative roadmap that will guide our work and deepen our impact. Read more about our strategy here.
Breakout Sessions: Learning Through Action
Attendees explored our work in more depth through engaging breakout sessions led by Stori colleagues. Covering Housing, Support, and Education, these interactive experiences offered a behind-the-scenes look at our daily efforts and the passion that drives our team. We’d like to extend our thanks to our colleagues who give their time to lead these sessions.
To everyone who joined us- thank you. Your presence, your stories, and your support made this celebration unforgettable. Together, we’re not just reflecting on progress, we’re building a future where every story matters.
Here’s to the next chapter.
