Urban Foundry

Urban Foundry We're a creative regeneration agency forging great ideas. Established 2004. Certified BCorp.

Since 2004 we've been forging great ideas that can change the world for the better.

📸 Lauren, Ben and Kate catching up with Dan McCallum from Awel Aman Tawe last week. We’ve worked with Dan for a few year...
17/06/2026

📸 Lauren, Ben and Kate catching up with Dan McCallum from Awel Aman Tawe last week.

We’ve worked with Dan for a few years, notably on a business plan for Hwb y Gors, their zero-carbon energy, arts and enterprise centre in Cwmgors, which opened towards the end of last year.

The meeting was held there, and it was very satisfying to be sitting in a beautiful and sustainable building that was just a concept on a page a few years ago. A result of some very persistent hard work by Dan and his team.

Looking forward to going back soon.

📊 If you'd like help with feasibility studies, theory of change, business planning or turning an idea into a viable project, send us a message.

💡 The Urban Foundry team got together yesterday for a planning session to look at the events, workshops and activities w...
12/06/2026

💡 The Urban Foundry team got together yesterday for a planning session to look at the events, workshops and activities we can run to support businesses and our communities.

It may look a little disorganised, but we're really excited about the ideas that came out of it.

We want to create events that people value and that make a positive impact in some way.

Watch this space... Ben is currently doing important organisational things with Post-it notes as we speak. 😄

📸 Ed White from Swansea Council with Urban Foundry's Lauren Howlett and Ben Reynolds at this month's First Tuesday Club....
09/06/2026

📸 Ed White from Swansea Council with Urban Foundry's Lauren Howlett and Ben Reynolds at this month's First Tuesday Club.

One of the things we hear a lot is how valuable it is to have somewhere to chat through a purpose-driven business idea and get another perspective.

That's what First Tuesday Club is for.

People drop in and chat informally with us and experts like Ed about funding, support and viability.

Supporting people with purpose-driven ideas, businesses and projects is one small way we help people find the confidence and support they need to act on those ideas and plans.

📍 Next one: 10am-12pm, 7 July at Urban HQ. Just drop in.

06/06/2026

🌿 Happy World Green Roof Day from Swansea!

Here’s a message from:

Kate McCabe, Urban Foundry
Fran Rolfe, Natural Resources Wales
Chris Bridgman, Bridgman & Bridgman, Green Roof Organisation
Penny Gruffydd, Swansea Council

Who all had a peek at the stunning green roof on 71/72 Kingsway in Swansea.

A great example of why we need to invest in greening our cities (and we’re proud to say Swansea is leading the way as a newly awarded biophilic city).

Green roofs:

Absorb excess rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding
Create wildlife habitat
Help cool the air and make city temperatures feel more comfortable
Provide space for wellbeing in areas where access to green space is limited
Help reduce pollution
Improve air quality
Look amazing

💚 We’re proud of all the work we’re doing in Swansea with our partners.

🏺Swansea Pottery Collective has just launched its new community ceramics studio at our Urban HQ venue in Swansea City Ce...
02/06/2026

🏺Swansea Pottery Collective has just launched its new community ceramics studio at our Urban HQ venue in Swansea City Centre.

And Urban Foundry worked with the team to:

🔸 Help the group secure £20,000 National Lottery funding
🔸 Identify a suitable building within Urban HQ
🔸 Support the transformation (from plumbing to a wet room) of the new studio

Why this is important to us:

🔸 Ceramics can be expensive and difficult to access
🔸 This creates a more affordable way for people of all abilities to learn and create
🔸 Gives Swansea more creative space and activity

Impact:

🔸 Hugely well received
🔸 Over 100 people have already joined, with a waiting list
🔸 Adds to the vibrant creative scene of Urban HQ and the area

Plus, Urban Foundry’s Susie sits on the committee, with both Susie and Hannah actively involved as members of the collective.

We help good ideas grow into sustainable community projects that make our towns and cities better.

Follow Swansea Pottery Collective.

🔑 PopUp Wales is our initiative that transforms empty high street units into low-cost opportunities for start-ups, creat...
26/05/2026

🔑 PopUp Wales is our initiative that transforms empty high street units into low-cost opportunities for start-ups, creatives and community organisations.

Delivered in partnership with local authorities and landlords.

Here’s the impact to date:

🔸 99 spaces activated to date
🔸 44 spaces activated in 2025
🔸 Supporting start-ups, independents, artists and social enterprises
🔸 Operating across Swansea, Bridgend, Caerphilly and Carmarthenshire
🔸 Reducing vacancy and increasing footfall in town centres

Swipe to see some of the pop-ups that have made a tangible impact on people, businesses and communities.

📍 Blue Marble, Carmarthenshire
📍 Ffos Caerffili, Caerphilly
📍 Tides, Swansea
📍 Sloth Coffee, Swansea
📍 Rota Café, Swansea
📍 Bay Clothing, Swansea
📍 Blossom to Bloom, Carmarthenshire
📍 Adare Street, Bridgend
📍 Y Banc, Caerphilly
📍 High Street, Bargoed

This is part of our drive to make towns and cities better places.

🎉We are DELIGHTED to share with you that our very own Derek is bringing you his new comedy sketch show this week🎉'What's...
25/05/2026

🎉We are DELIGHTED to share with you that our very own Derek is bringing you his new comedy sketch show this week🎉

'What's Wrong With Derek?' is on in Urban HQ this Thursday 28th, Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May!

🎟You can book your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.com/derek-palmer/e-grxyjl

If you are in Swansea this weekend, you really do not want to miss this laugh out loud comedy show!

⭐We are very proud that we have been able to support Derek with his sketch show and hope to see you all there!

👉 Big thanks to Theo, who recently finished a placement with Urban Foundry as part of his BA Media and Communication deg...
21/05/2026

👉 Big thanks to Theo, who recently finished a placement with Urban Foundry as part of his BA Media and Communication degree at Swansea University.

Over the last few months he’s helped with marketing and content for Urban HQ, got stuck into events, supported the team at our Green the City Climate Change Conference, and even secured press coverage for the Love is Film Festival.

He brought a great attitude to everything he worked on. Thoughtful, reliable and always happy to get involved.

Supporting students and giving them real experience of a purpose driven business is something we care a lot about, and it’s been great watching Theo grow in confidence during his time with us.

Good luck with the final stretch of university Theo 👏

📷 Theo at Green the City, and a slightly less polished goodbye drink with the team.

🔑 Pop-up space number 99!Hannah and Tara have loved working with Harrison and David Lees, co-owners of Sloth Coffee Co. ...
19/05/2026

🔑 Pop-up space number 99!

Hannah and Tara have loved working with Harrison and David Lees, co-owners of Sloth Coffee Co.

As part of our PopUp Wales initiative, we helped them secure funding for their new (and third!) location at 151 Mumbles Road (opposite Joe’s Ice Cream).

Hannah and Tara also advised on the interior design, something they have built an excellent reputation for through multiple pop-ups across Swansea, Caerphilly, Bridgend and Carmarthenshire, as well as the Urban HQ offices and café.

Using sustainable materials, creating a top-quality finish, but still working within budget.

☕ We absolutely recommend you visiting for the great coffee (and exceptional baking from Rhannu Bakery). It looks fantastic.

This is part of our wider drive to support independent businesses and help regenerate empty spaces across Wales.

This project is an Urban Foundry initiative delivered in collaboration with Swansea Council. It is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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