- 1.2 million adults live in Wales with at least one longstanding illness.
- 618,000 women in Wales live with at least one longstanding illness
- The 618,000 are all ages, live across all parts of Wales
- Irrespective of age, many endure extreme pain – night and day
- Irrespective of age, they endure ongoing treatments and new health challenges
- They lose friends, careers, hobbies, social life, mobility
- They start each day with determination and courage, to live their best, achieve their hopes and dreams and keep a smile on their face
It is my personal experience that most others simply do not notice or understand the determination, the pain, the focus it takes to do just this. Nor do others necessarily recognise the vast array of skills, experience that older women have and are ready to share and help others develop too.
Let me introduce you to a wonderful lady #JudePrice, on this International Women’s Day 2025 – punk rocker extraordinaire and inspirer, founder and lead of the Nana Punk collective, who we showcased in #Lleswyl2025.
Jude wanted to develop a group for women aged 50 and over to come together, to learn to play instruments, write lyrics and perform together. She approached the Wales Millennium Centre with her idea, who have supported and assisted Nana Punk to start and grow.
Overwhelmed by the number of opportunities for young people and those under 25 Jude decided it was time to take a stand and form a group for people who didn’t usually have these opportunities in the hope of building a group that could perform as a collective.
After suffering a stroke, the project took a new meaning as Jude was able to use the experience to help re-develop her music skills, re-learning bass as well as supporting her language skills and her own emotional health.
Jude was so delighted to be performing at Lleswyl 2025. She said: “Most people think of a twinset and pearls image for older women but this project aims to showcase creativity in later life. It was a fantastic opportunity for the collective to showcase their collaborative enthusiasm for life and creativity.
There’s a lack of creative opportunities for older women; this project aims to plug that gap.”
Gemma Hicks, Senior Community Engagement Producer, Wales Millennium Centre added: “It has been such a privilege to support Jude in realising her vision for the project, seeing the women make such meaningful friendships and seeing the confidence of everyone growing week by week is a pleasure, we can’t wait to see where their journey takes them in 2025.”
Enjoy Lleswyl 2025: https://www.youtube.com/live/Rfu2zrHKpgg and
Watch Jude Price and Gemma Hicks discussing Nana Punk:
https://vimeo.com/1063461728
Idiots Everywhere, by Nana Punk:
https://vimeo.com/1063472389 Well done Nana Punk!
