The Talking Shop

07/11/2025

We are looking for new board members to join Omidaze Productions Ltd and help guide the next stage of our journey. If you believe in the power of the arts to inform, inspire and create social change, we would love to hear from you. You don’t need previous board experience – just a willingness to...

14/10/2025

Earlier this year Omidaze (who created The Talking Shop) transitioned into a social enterprise not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and began our next chapter.

We’re now building a Board of Directors to help lead us into the future and we’re looking for up to five new additional board members. We are particularly keen to hear from people who:

● Have lived experience that is underrepresented in decision-making spaces


● May not have board or governance experience but are keen to grow and contribute


● Are passionate about social justice, climate action, and democratic engagement


● Share our belief in the power of arts and culture to shape society


We also welcome those with skills and experience in areas such as:

● Finance / Accounting


● Legal / Governance


● Human Resources


● Technology / AI and digital innovation


But please don’t be put off if your skills or background don’t match a traditional board role – we value a diversity of perspectives, not just professional qualifications.If you believe in the power of the arts to inform, inspire and create social change, we would love to hear from you.

You don’t need previous board experience – just a willingness to contribute, learn, and support our vision.

The call out can be found via this link
https://www.omidaze.co.uk/blog/join-the-board-of-omidaze-productions-ltd/

Deadline Nov 30

We are looking for new board members to join Omidaze Productions Ltd and help guide the next stage of our journey. If you believe in the power of the arts to inform, inspire and create social change, we would love to hear from you. You don’t need previous board experience – just a willingness to...

19/09/2025

The Talking Shop has now vacated 8/9 The Market Place Blackwood.

This is not the end. This is just the beginning. The Talking Shop doors will re-open. Somewhere. Somehow. There is so much work in progress & so many collaborators and partners and it is needed now more than ever. We have only just begun.

The ambition is to now pioneer the first long-term sustainable Talking Shop model in Wales.

Imagine if we had a Talking Shop in every local authority across Wales and a touring Talking Shop without walls in the summer months. Imagine if we had ongoing conversations all year round about democracy and culture with everyone feeding into policy and decision making at all levels of government, across all departments and into all our public bodies shaping our public services together. Not through tick box consultation. Through conversation, information and democratic deliberation using creativity and facilitated by professional creatives. Imagine that.

The vision for The Talking Shop is for multiple stakeholders, including all public bodies https://futuregenerations.wales/discover/about-future-generations-commissioner/public-bodies/
and all levels of government (local authorities, devolved and UK governments), to come together as core partners and invest in and scale up the concept, together with cultural organisations, and additional partners and collaborators contributing to the programme and helping to co-host the space. True partnership and involvement working in line with the Well-being of Future Generations Act seven goals and five ways of working.

We have now run trials in Blackwood, Merthyr, Cardiff and Newport and together with feedback and input from over 17,000 recorded visits from people of all ages we have shaped, refined and tested the model and now have a proof of concept ready to roll out.

We know that communities do not want temporary 'sticking plaster' pop ups. We know people want this model long-term. We know it works and we know that it is wanted. 100% of visitors have told us.

We are progressing really positive conversations with multiple stakeholders regarding the first long-term Talking Shop, scaling the model and the touring version.

Where, when & if the first long-term Talking Shop in Wales will be created is still to be decided. Not by Omidaze. By public bodies & stakeholders who come together and embrace this model and collectively be brave & bold enough to lead the way.

We passionately believe that new money is not needed to make a Talking Shop sustainable and long term. The vision is that all the core partners use public money more effectively and with increased impact and benefit by repurposing some existing budget strands currently used for consultancy, consultation, engagement, involvement, comms, marketing, evaluation and participation.

We are incredibly grateful to all The Talking Shop visitors, hosts and assistant producers, volunteers, partners, collaborators, funders and everyone who have supported us in Blackwood and in all our trial locations.

We now have a proof of concept and blueprint of how The Talking Shop could exist in any town.

The main aim of The Talking Shop is to tackle our democratic deficit and increase cultural and democratic participation both at and beyond the ballot box. The Talking Shop, (where information, conversation & democratic deliberation is facilitated by artists & creatives inside a creative space, which provides a living room & kitchen & dining room table for everyone) has been proven to far outreach these main aims.

The Talking Shop model helps us to confront and tackle some of society’s most pressing issues including polarisation, isolation and loneliness; mental health and well-being and inter-generational connection; community cohesion and urban regeneration.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to understand how our democracy actually works so that everyone can be involved and participate meaningfully all year round.

We want art, culture and creativity to be recognised and celebrated as the third pillar of a civilised society along with publicly funded health and education.

We want The Talking Shop visitors & their conversations to be influencing policy & decision making all year round so that everyone can participate meaningfully & have a say in the cultural & democratic life of our country all year round & not only at the ballot box every few years.

We have demonstrated in The Talking Shop Blackwood that this is possible, cost effective and has high levels of impact and benefit.

We have recorded 8,501 visits to The Talking Shop Blackwood and will have recorded over 17,000 visits across all four Talking Shops trials

10+ volunteers, 8 assistant producers and 56 freelance hosts have been recruited and trained since 2022. 4 of those volunteers, 28 of those hosts and 6 of those assistant producers have worked in the Blackwood shop since March 2022

We have programmed over 166 creative sessions, workshops and events including those facilitated by 24 collaborating organisations in Blackwood alone.

Our upstairs studio space in Blackwood supported 10 artists and creatives to have the time and space to develop their creative practice and we have supported 15 artists with exhibitions on our gallery wall since March 2024.

We have also developed The Talking Shop on Tour whilst in Blackwood which is now ready to be booked in 2026 to come to a high street, beach or park near you. It is crucial though that his is not seen as a cheaper alternative. The Talking Shop on Tour will only work long-term if there is a permanent Talking Shop nearby where people can then visit and continue their conversations. The ultimate vision is that there is a Talking Shop in each of the 22 local authorities across Wales and a touring version during the summer months which increases engagement to the fixed, year round, shop sites and enables those who cannot mobile to one of the sites to be involved.

The Talking Shop Blackwood has only been possible thanks to our many collaborators and partners whose financial and in-kind support has allowed us to keep the shop open for a total of 6 months whilst still trying to bring partners together and pioneer a new financial model. A particular shout out goes to the Arts Development Team and Jordan Forse and David Chamberlain who have co-produced The Talking Shop Blackwood.

Thank you to the crew this week, Richard Norton & Osian Griffiths, who were so brilliant and made a sad and heavy task lighter .

Thank you to all our visitors, hosts, creatives, volunteers, partners & collaborators & to everyone in who made us feel so welcome and who supported our vision of making the world a better place

If you have any questions or feedback please email us at [email protected] and follow us here for updates.

www.the-talking-shop.co.uk

18/09/2025

This week we have been clearing The Talking Shop Blackwood & make this 4th & final trial disappear.

Over 8000 visits were recorded inside those walls. Conversations were had on so many topics. Friends were made, loneliness abated, if only for an hour or so. Jobs were found, skills were learnt, connections were made & voices were heard. Rehabilitation of many kinds occurred. Services were signposted, creativity was sparked, engagement in democracy & culture was inspired, nurtured & developed. Information, conversation, deliberation were all facilitated & I am not exaggerating when I say that lives were saved.

We did not do these things. Visitors did these things for themselves & each other. We simply provided the space, the facilitation, the materials & the information & a programme of creative activities to inspire, spark & unite strangers as they came together to understand themselves, each other & our democracy & celebrate the value of art, culture & creativity.

On Tuesday I left the team for a couple of hours, painting over the questions on the walls in Blackwood, to co-host a conversation with Beth Underwood & kindly hosted by Artis Community Cymuned in YMCA Pontypridd. There I presented to potential stakeholders & tried to encapsulate into 1.5 hours the potential of a long-term Talking Shop.

Where, when & if the 1st long-term Talking Shop in Wales will be created is still to be decided. Not by me. By public bodies & stakeholders who can collectively be brave & bold & lead the way.

Tuesday was a ray of light in an otherwise quite sad week as I optimistically store the ingredients of The Talking Shop in the hope that they will be installed in a new shop unit somewhere soon & we can demonstrate how the doors can remain open & the kettle on in every town long-term.


www.the-talking-shop.co.uk

17/09/2025

We have distributed furniture all around the local area. Just these two still waiting for a new home. Any takers? They are both super comfy. Absolutely free. Needs collecting before midday Friday 19 Sept from Blackwood NP12 1AU. Or we can deliver locally free of charge to outside your door. Email [email protected]

05/09/2025

CALLING ALL CARDIFF SCHOOLS - PRIMARY & SECONDARY

Very excited to be able to announce that Omidaze are collaborating with Cardiff Council to bring the Democracy Box Creative Cascade programme to Cardiff schools this autumn – and it’s completely free!

This programme will consist of five weekly 2 hour online sessions which will run this half-term 25 September - 22 October 2025
The sessions are open to all primary and secondary schools in Cardiff.

Schools will need to sign up for all 5 sessions which are on
Thursday 25 September
Thursday 2 October
Thursday 9 October
Thursday 16 October
Wednesday 22 October

Interested?
Email [email protected] asap to sign up.
Spaces are limited and half have gone already so don’t miss out!
https://www.thedemocracybox.co.uk/schools/

In addition to Cardiff Council's Democracy Ambassadors initiative, this new programme offers a unique opportunity for all students aged 7–16 and their teachers to understand the basics of our UK democracy and simultaneously develop creative thinking, practice and skills. The programme creates a strong foundation for the What Matters Statements of the Humanities Area of Learning and outlined associated Principles of Progression and Descriptions of Learning.
https://hwb.gov.wales/.../huma.../statements-of-what-matters

Your City, Your Say: Cardiff Budget Challenge
Omidaze has also been commissioned to create additional bespoke modules specifically designed to help young people understand how decisions are made at a council level and how public money is spent locally within their city.

As part of the lead-up to the Council’s budget-setting process in December, students will explore the workings of local government and take part in their own Budget Challenge – sharing their priorities for the city and voicing what matters most to them.

This is a chance for students to gain confidence, develop vital knowledge about democracy and decision-making, and take part in meaningful conversations that shape their lives and communities.

Creative Democracy Education for Schools | The Democracy Box

Equip students with democratic knowledge through The Democracy Box's creative cascade programme, designed for primary and secondary schools.

26/08/2025

Tune in tomorrow morning to hear Talking Shop creator Yvonne Murphy talking all things democratic education on BBC Radio Wales breakfast show around 8.15am.

Breadcrumb Home Beyond ballot box report Beyond the Ballot Box Report The Democracy Box report (full-length) The Democracy Box report (abridged) Submenu Home About Projects Themes Research Impact

02/08/2025

Day 4 & 5 of The Talking Shop saw us roll up in Newport & Merthyr Tydfil and the last 2 days were a game of two halves.

Smack bang in the city centre of Newport we hosted over 80 visitors and had huge conversations as the skies opened with torrential rain. After Porthcawl we were better prepared & the van came into its own as a conversation space.

We discussed AI, connection, communication, philosophy, politics past & present, the Chartists, Newport, economical investment, discrimination, immigration, art, creativity, getting involved, making a difference, capitalism, mental health, physical health, the importance of coming together, circular & well-bring economies, well-being in general & the well-bring of future generations, period poverty, the Welsh Language and lots lots more.

All ages joined us.
"We need this" was the recurring theme.

Meanwhile in Merthyr the sun shone (which was a relief because we could dry the rug & cushions!) & it was lovely to be back.
Footfall was low but the quality of conversion was high & our first visitors aged 15 talked about wanting to get more involved in the arts & loved The Talking Shop typewriter. Then we had pretty huge conversations about the lasting impact of covid, the importance of memorials & remembering, processing & acknowledging our loss & a national & global trauma. We discussed left, right, governments past & present & kindness, compassion & tolerance & mental health, emotional journeys, using art to find solace & well-being, balance, counselling, signposting people to information & how the biggest act of rebellion is for people to come together & talk.

There was lots more but suffice to say it was an honour & a privilege last week to host over 300 visitors across the region to hear their stories, experiences, thoughts & ideas.

Last weeks tour has only reinforced our belief that The Talking Shop model is needed more than ever. Our vision for a permanent Talking Shop in each local authority area plus a touring version in the summer months is both affordable & necessary if we are to truly & meaningfully involve people in the democratic life of our country.

Huge thanks to Cardiff Capital Region for making last week possible & all 5 local authorities who facilitated us to access sites. Thank you so much to our creative hosts Abril, Cathy, Chris & Heidi & to every single person who joined us.

The van & crew are having a much needed rest whilst we continue to try & pull together public bodies to partner & pioneer the 1st long-term Talking Shop in Wales

30/07/2025

Day 3 of The Talking Shop in cracking Cwmbran. We rocked up to the boating lake & made tea for over a 100 visitors. It was awesome. We modelled clay, rolled prints, made bunting, painted stones & chatted & chatted.

We discussed the power of art & culture & the power of the people. We explored our experiences & the impacts of our ever developing digital world & communication, engagement, health, education, policing, public services, nature, barriers to the arts, arts education, discrimination, democratic education, voting, future generations, the news & current affairs. These are just a few of the topics discussed!

Complete strangers met in the open air on a sunny day & talked about all things Culture & Democracy & we were joined later in the day by Derek Walker, the Future Generations Commissioner. All in all a rather brilliant day. Thank you to everyone who joined us today. It was an absolute pleasure talking to you all. And thank you to our final two visitors who took photos of the team as we stopped for a break on the sofa, mid packing away, for a lampshade photoshoot 😅

30/07/2025

Looking forward to day 3 of The Talking Shop today at

Open 1130-3.30

Come say hi if you're in the neighbourhood

29/07/2025

Day 2 of The Talking Shop on Tour & the wind blew, the rain poured, the sun shone & the tea was brewed as we chatted about our public services, how to contact & be supported by elected representatives, community, green spaces, climate change, water pollution, housing, equality and inclusion. And that was just before lunch.

"We don't seem to get much stuff like this since Covid" - Local resident

We were greeted with gifts of biscuits as we set up, thanked so many times for coming ^ visited by tourists and residents past and present. Long in depth conversations took place whilst painting stones, making paper flowers & adding to our power Patchwork started in Blackwood.

"Well this is lovely. There should be more stuff like this." - local resident

We got wet. We dried out & nearly got blown away. We realised what parts of the set up didnt work so well in high wind and we chatted & connected & talked about art & culture & creativity with so many different lovely people.

Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday.

Tomorrow we are hopefully being visited by Office Of The Future Generations Commissioner in & hope to see you too as we continue our creative conversations across the Cardiff Capital Region

28/07/2025

Well the sun shone, and tea, conversations and creativity flowed. Thank you so much to everyone who came. We loved hosting you in our stunning capital city. Tomorrow we do it all again by the sea in beautiful Porthcawl.