presents
“CREATE IT”
We’re Delighted to be a Partner ORGANIsation of TEDx Bute Street, that’ll be arriving in Cardiff Bay on 3rd July.
2025’s Theme is Centred around Creation and creativity. In the Vibrant Bay area of Cardiff that Coal Created and where Artisans are Inspired to Create today.
Please Note that ‘The Edit’ are a Partner Organisation of TEDx Bute Street, Hosting their Web Functions and are not the Organiser
What People Are Saying
“I’m Thrilled that I’ll be speaking at TEDx Bute Street this July.
Covering LGBTQ+ history and what it teaches us about where we’ve come from (and where we might go)
Thrilled to be with some other amazing Speakers.”
— Doctor emily garside
“I’m absolutely Thrilled to be Supporting this Event in the Senedd next Month.”
— nia williams - senedd cymru
“As an Immigrant who now calls Wales my Home, I’ll be using my Story as a successful Entrepreneur to help show that anyone can make it in this World, if they’re given an Opportunity to.”
— ammar akhtar
“Being from Butetown Myself, I’m thrilled to be Speaking at TEDx Bute Street.
What will I be speaking about? What else than creating Lleswyl; an Inclusive, Creative, Online Festival that gets Streamed into our Living rooms Every Year.”
— barbara chidgey
“[I’m] a Staunch Supporter of the Arts in Wales and am delighted to be Supporting TEDx Bute Street.”
— rhianon passmore ms
“I’m really Proud to be working with TEDx Bute Street and its Inspirational Founder; Chris J Birch. Its not a surprise to see that it Sold out almost instantly when you see the calibre of Speakers that are Involved in the Night and I’m delighted that it’s also being Streamed online for more to enjoy the Night.”
— matthew hyde (panel member)
“I’ve so many friends in the Welsh Creative Sector and so many more who Create Companies that create Employment in Wales too. Wales is such a Creative Country and I wanted to Showcase that to the World. And what better way than to Host a TEDx Event. Cardiff Docks fed the World with Coal and this July, We’ll show that Wales is feeding the World, Creatively.”
— Chris J Birch (Panel Member & Organiser)
“It’s Vital to tell the Stories of Welsh Creativity to the World, because Wales really does punch above its weight Creatively and I was first in line for a Ticket to this One.”
— Hywel wigley - acapela studios
“It’s always great to see Wales showcasing itself on the World Stage and especially in the Heart of Welsh Political Power.”
— dylan jones-evans obe (panel member)
“Telling Welsh Stories and talking about Welsh Creativity is Incredibly Important to Me, so I was delighted to hear that We’ll be showcasing Wales to the World in July.”
— jak bjornstrom - the edit
our speakers
✨ Meet Molly Fenton ✨
At just 16, while bedbound with a brain tumour, Molly launched *Love Your Period*—a campaign breaking taboos around menstrual health and empowering youth activism. Six years on, her work has reached Wales, the UK, and beyond, ensuring young people’s voices are heard. She sits on Welsh Government roundtables, speaks in behaviour units, and advocates for period equity as a tool for change. Molly proves that activism isn’t just about raising awareness—it’s about saving lives. 💪
✨ Meet Barbara Chidgey ✨
A visionary leader turned advocate, Barbara has reshaped the conversation around emotional health in Wales. After stepping away from a successful career in education, she founded *Daring to Dream*, a charity supporting the emotional well-being of the 1.2 million adults living with physical illness. From creating safe spaces in hospitals to leading the annual *Lleswyl* well-being festival, Barbara champions the right to talk, feel, and be heard. Her mission? Ensuring no one faces illness alone. 💙
✨ Meet Nathan Wyburn ✨
A Welsh artist with a flair for the unexpected, Nathan turns everyday items into extraordinary portraits of cultural icons. From playful pop culture tributes to thought-provoking pieces with deeper meaning, his work has captured the attention of global stars, brands, and TV audiences. Creativity knows no bounds in Nathan’s hands—because art should make you smile, think, and feel. 🎨
✨ Meet Dr Emily Garside ✨
A researcher, writer, and fierce advocate for queer storytelling, Emily has shaped conversations around LGBTQ+ theatre and culture. From her PhD on theatrical responses to the AIDS crisis to bestselling books on *Schitt’s Creek*, *Angels in America*, and *Rent*, her work explores the past, present, and future of queer representation. As a journalist, she’s written for *BBC, Slate, The Stage*, and *The Queer Review*, ensuring queer narratives are seen, heard, and celebrated. 📖🏳️🌈
✨ Meet Ammar Akhtar ✨
Founder and CEO of *Finalrentals*, Ammar turned a bold idea into one of Wales' fastest-growing tech scale-ups. As an outsider stepping into the Welsh business scene, his journey has been one of resilience, innovation, and impact. With a drive to transform the rental industry, Ammar is proving that fresh perspectives fuel progress. 🚀
✨ Meet Hannah Oertel ✨
A leading voice in the movement for healthier digital habits, Hannah is the founder of *Delay Smartphones*, a campaign dedicated to protecting childhood from the unintended impacts of tech. With over a decade in solution-focused therapy, she’s seen firsthand how smartphones and social media affect mental health. Through research, advocacy, and practical solutions, Hannah empowers parents, educators, and children to rethink their relationship with technology—for a healthier, happier future. 📱💡
✨ Meet Billy Adams ✨
A ceramic artist deeply connected to the landscapes that shaped him, Billy’s work embodies the raw beauty of Connemara, Donegal, and the West Wales coastline. Through textures, colours, and geological elements, his vessels explore the tension between function and memory—each piece a tactile reflection of an ever-changing world. A Fellow of the Craft Potters Association, Billy’s creations are exhibited across the UK, Europe, and the USA. 🌿🔥
✨ Meet Tim Rhys-Evans ✨
A renowned choral conductor, composer, and advocate for music education, Tim has shaped the Welsh music scene for over a decade. As Director of Music at *Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama*, he’s committed to creating opportunities for young talent. In 2010, he founded *The Aloud Charity*, transforming lives through *Only Boys Aloud* and *Only Kids Aloud*, ensuring that music remains a force for empowerment and social change. 🎶
✨ Meet Jeff Smith✨
From the ice rinks of the *Cardiff Devils* to the summit of Everest, Jeff Smith has never backed down from a challenge. As co-founder of *Bigmoose*, alongside his daughter, he's turning personal adversity into a powerful movement for mental health. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, Jeff’s resilience fuels his mission to create the best mental health charity in the world. After achieving their ambitious £1 million fundraising goal, Bigmoose is now stepping into its next chapter—proving that dreams don’t just happen, you **create** them. 💙
✨ Meet Nathan Spackman ✨
A driving force in community broadcasting, Nathan Spackman has spent over 16 years championing local voices through *Bro Radio* in the Vale of Glamorgan. As its Operations Director, he’s fostered a space where creativity, confidence, and community spirit thrive. Beyond the station, Nathan leads the charge in shaping Wales’ radio landscape, chairing the *Wales Community Radio Network* and co-founding the *UK Community Radio Network*. His work proves that when you empower communities with a platform, they don’t just speak—they **create**. 🎙️
Our Stats
One of the Big Things Here at TEDx Bute Street is Inclusivity. We love the thought of Showcasing every part of Welsh Life and its Rich Communities. From the Historic Links of the LGBTQ+ Community at the Top of Bute Street at the Famed ‘Golden Cross’ and Beyond.
We asked our Speakers if they’d be kind enough to complete the briefest of Surveys so you could find out a little more about the Diversity within our Line-Up.
Are you part of the LGBTQIA+ Community?
“During our Application Process, We Advertised across Wales on Multiple Social Platforms and with Posters in the Bute and Cardiff Bay Community in search for our Speakers. We received more than 25 Requests to Speak with far more since the Closing Date. Our Panel, lead by Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE had a difficult task in narrowing the List down to just 10 Speakers for our July 2025 Event.” - Chris J Birch
Do you Consider Yourself to have a Disability?
What's your Age?
“create it”
We’d love you to Share your Inspiring, Motivating, Engaging Story with the World at our TEDx Bute Street Event in July 2025.
If you’d like to Take Part or would love to know more about Speaking at our Upcoming Event, please use the Submission Form, attaching all of the Relevant information required.
Please remember to use the below links as Guidance before submitting your Interest as adherence to the TEDx Rules and Content Guidelines are Incredibly Important.
Once Submitted, your Application will be reviewed by our Panel and we’ll be in Touch within a few short weeks of our Application process closing and the Venue Confirming Dates, so be sure to check Our Social Media Pages for Updates.