Welsh Charity
Awards 2024

Welsh Charity Awards 2024!

The Welsh Charity Awards, organised by WCVA, recognise and celebrate the fantastic contribution charities, community groups, not-for-profits and volunteers make to Wales by highlighting and championing the positive difference we can make to each other’s lives.

It’s completely free to take part in the Welsh Charity Awards thanks to the kind support of our sponsors.

Key dates for 2024

2024 WINNERS & RUNNERS UP

Thanks to everyone who sent in a nomination. We had a record number of entries this year, and we’ve been hugely inspired by the stories you’ve shared with us.

At our awards ceremony on 25 November 2024 at National Museum Cardiff we celebrated all the amazing finalists and announced this year’s winners. The journalist and BBC presenter Jennifer Jones hosted the ceremony, and the actor Michael Sheen, President of WCVA, also attended the evening and made an address to the finalists.

Read on to find out about the winners and runners up for the 2024 Welsh Charity Awards.

Volunteer of the year (volunteers aged 26 or over)

This award will go to an individual who stands out by making an extra special contribution to their community or environment through their volunteering. This may be the volunteer who leads and inspires others, or who goes ‘over and above’ to ‘get things done’, or it may be the one behind the scenes who seems to hold everything together. Either way, the focus will be on the positive difference that has been achieved, rather than on the amount or length of time spent volunteering.

The winning entry will demonstrate the change that an individual’s volunteering contribution can lead to, such as the impact of volunteering on beneficiaries, the community or environment or the impact on other volunteers or staff.

Winner 2024: Carmen Soraya Kelly

Carmen Soraya Kelly (known to friends as Soraya) has devoted herself to supporting disadvantaged children, young people, and families, providing essential resources and transformative programmes like Unite4Youth, which offers mentorship and paid work placements that often lead to permanent employment.

Her advocacy extends well beyond her charity, shaping employability programmes, promoting social justice, and ensuring access to healthcare resources, making her a powerful force for positive change in her community.

Through Soraya’s dedication, she not only meets the immediate needs of a range of people but also addresses systemic inequalities by working with politicians, councils, and health organisations.

Runners up 2024:

Hazel Lim
Matthew Steele

Sponsored by The Open University in Wales

Young volunteer of the year (volunteers aged 25 or under)

Winner 2024: Molly Fenton

Molly Fenton, founder of ‘Love Your Period’ is a passionate volunteer and advocate for menstrual health and youth empowerment in Wales. Molly works tirelessly to break stigmas, distribute period products, and amplify youth voices in policy discussions.

Despite her own health challenges, Molly’s impactful collaborations and public engagements inspire young people to be active in shaping a better future, for themselves and others.

Her honest, often humorous, insights make her both a relatable and inspirational role model for young people. Molly is a remarkable young volunteer leader who has demonstrated, very effectively, the importance of young people participating in conversations that impact their lives.

Runners up 2024:

Reece Moss Owen
Tyler Agyapong

Sponsored by Hugh James

Fundraiser of the year

This award will go to an organisation, person or team who has/have made exceptional achievements in their fundraising or wider income generation activities in the past year. This could relate to a campaign, event or other fundraising activity.

The panel are particularly keen to see examples where a strategic approach has been taken (where the activity is well researched, aligned to the organisation’s vision and mission and may bring additional benefit to the organisation and/or its beneficiaries beyond income e.g. brand or cause awareness).

Winner 2024: Diabetes UK Cymru, campaign ‘Rewrite Peter’s Story’

Beth’s fundraising and advocacy work with Diabetes UK Cymru, in memory of her son Peter, has raised over £100,000 and driven systemic changes in Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis across Wales.

Her ‘Rewrite Peter’s Story’ campaign provided essential resources to every GP practice, saving lives and establishing sustainable pathways for early detection.

Through Beth’s persistence in campaigning, she has left a sustainable legacy and continues to change policies and practices to save lives in Wales.

Runners up 2024

Milford Youth Matters
Tenovus Cancer Care: Challenge Event Team
Mudiad Meithrin Grants Team

Co-Sponsored by Thomas Carroll & Zurich Municipal

Champion of diversity

This award will go to an organisation or group that has made exceptional efforts to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within their community. We want to recognise and celebrate those who have worked tirelessly to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of society, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or background.

We encourage nominations that have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in their programs, services, policies, and practices, celebrating the contributions of those who have helped make our communities more equitable, diverse, and inclusive.

Winner 2024: Mudiad Meithrin

Mudiad Meithrin has championed equality and anti-racism in Welsh-medium early childhood services through various initiatives, for example providing professional training, diverse cultural resources, and mentoring programmes for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority writers.

Their efforts include a comprehensive strategy to embed inclusivity, create anti-racist toolkits, and increase workforce diversity, making them a leader in promoting fairness and belonging in Wales.

Projects like the ‘Dwylo’n Dweud’ programme introduced sign language to young children, and resources like ‘Cymru Ni’ highlighted the contributions of Black people in Wales.

Runners up 2024:

BE.Xcellence CIC
Welsh Refugee Council

Co-sponsored by AP Cymru & South Wales Autism Assessments

Use of the Welsh language

This award will go to an organisation or group that can show a special effort to offer service(s) in Welsh.

We’re looking for organisations that lead the way in meeting the needs of their service users by developing and offering Welsh language service(s). The winning organisation will be able to show how they have considered the needs of their service users and used an innovative method to overcome some of the challenges they have faced when offering a service in the Welsh language. They will also explain how the service user’s experience has improved by providing services in Welsh.

This award will go to a group or organisation that has tried a new method or done something progressive or innovative to make a huge difference to people’s lives.

Winner 2024 : The Outdoor Partnership

The Outdoor Partnership (TOP) is a bilingual charity empowering Welsh-speaking communities to engage in outdoor activities through initiatives like Bant â Ni and community-based clubs, which have grown from 15 to over 150 since 2005.

With a Welsh Language Scheme endorsed by the Welsh Language Commissioner, TOP prioritises Welsh in all communications, develops essential Welsh-language resources, and has increased Welsh-speaking instructors in the sector from 4% to 25%, completely transforming the perception of outdoor pursuits in Welsh cultural life.

Runners up 2024:

SPAN Arts
NSPCC Cymru Schools Service

Sponsored by Mentrau Iaith

Most influential small organisation

This award will go to a small organisation that has influenced – or is influencing – positive change to policy or practice in Wales, at any level from local to national.

The winning organisation will demonstrate how they have worked with others to make positive change in Wales and will demonstrate how their influencing work contributes to making a more fair and compassionate Wales. We particularly welcome nominations from small organisations that work hard to centre lived experience in what they do.

Note: Small organisations are those with an income of less than £500,000 per year

Winner 2024: Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales

Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales (FTWW) has made significant strides in advocating for better female healthcare, playing a key role in developing the forthcoming Women’s Health Plan for Wales while empowering individuals with lived experience to share their stories and influence policy and practice.

Their unwavering commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare for women has fostered a supportive community and led to tangible improvements in both policy, services, and individual healthcare experiences across Wales.

Finalists 2024:

Carmarthenshire People First
Daring to Dream

Sponsored by Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales

Health and wellbeing

This award will go to a group or organisation that has made a positive difference to their community by improving mental and/or physical health and wellbeing.

The winning entry will demonstrate the positive change in the health and wellbeing of their community or wider society because of their action. It will also highlight their innovative approach to improving health and wellbeing.

Winner 2024: St Giles Cymru – Aspiring Champions Project

The St Giles Cymru ‘Aspiring Champions’ Project supports vulnerable young mothers (ages 14 to 24 years) and their families in Rhyl. It combats the risks of exploitation – including into gang involvement and crime – through empowerment, mentorship and skill development.

By utilising a lived experience model, led by Stacey, a remarkable support worker who has overcome her own challenges, this initiative has transformed the lives of 32 families, helping them break the cycle of poverty, addiction, and abuse.

Ultimately, the programme fosters community resilience and creates a supportive network where participants learn to navigate challenges together.

Runners up 2024:

Megan’s Starr Foundation
Sporting Memories Wales

Sponsored by Leaderful Action

Organisation of the year

This award will go to an outstanding organisation which has achieved a huge amount in the last year and is well respected and admired by others in the sector. The winning entry will be a resilient organisation and demonstrate high standards of governance. The organisation of the year will also be able to demonstrate how it has achieved its objectives through innovation and highlight the positive impact it has had on its service users, changing lives for the better.

As well as the above, the organisation will be able to demonstrate its commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and the Welsh language.

Winner 2024 : FareShare Cymru

FareShare Cymru turns an environmental problem into a social solution by redistributing surplus food to over 260 community groups, providing over 2.1 million meals to 28,295 people weekly and saving the voluntary sector an estimated £2.6 million.

Through pioneering programmes, strong partnerships, and a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, they empower communities and enhance well-being across Wales.

Their dedication, flexibility, and innovative solutions have had a profound impact on communities across Wales, improving health, reducing waste, and empowering local organisations to strengthen their services.

Runners up 2024:

The Game Change Project CIC
Tempo Time Credits
Area 43
Kidney Wales

Sponsored by The Open University in Wales

Congratulations to last year’s winners:

Volunteer of the year – Nicola Harteveld
Young volunteer of the year – Sara Madi
Income generator of the year – Tŷ Hafan
Champion of diversity – Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales
Best use of Welsh language – Alzheimer’s Society Cymru Dementia Support Telephone Service
Trailblazer – Community Volunteers Wales
Health and wellbeing – Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading
Organisation of the year – Welsh Refugee Council

Take part in the Welsh Charity Awards to shout about your favourite voluntary organisation or volunteer and give them the chance of getting some well-earned recognition and a night to remember!

Recognise – whether or not you’re an award winner or finalist, being nominated for an award shows your organisation or individual that their work is valued and makes a huge difference
Celebrate – take the time to celebrate the success of your team (or a special volunteer) with a chance for all finalists to attend our glamorous awards ceremony
Stand out – being an awards finalists can really raise your profile, from exposure in the media to showcasing the quality of your work to funders and decision makers

Submitting a nomination could not be easier. There are four simple steps:

Rules

Nominations must be received by 5 pm on 13 September 2024
Only make one nomination per nomination form
You may only nominate one nominee or group in each category
Nominated organisations and groups must be based in or working in Wales
Nominated volunteers must either live in Wales or undertake their volunteering work in Wales
We welcome nominations for individuals and groups who volunteer abroad for an international organisation based in Wales
Permission must be sought from the Chief Officer/ Director or Chair of the nominated organisation before a nomination is submitted
Permission must be sought from the volunteer or group of volunteers before the nomination is submitted
Parental permission must be sought from any volunteer under 16
All answers must relate to recent activity
The judges’ decision on entries is final. The judges reserve the right not to make an award in any particular category if they feel that nominations are not suitable
The nature of the awards presented is the decision of WCVA. No alternative prizes will be considered
Details provided on the nomination form may be passed onto partner organisations and to the media for publicity purposes. If you are not willing for any information to be shared in this way or if you do not wish media organisations to contact the nominated organisation or the nominator, please let us know as soon as possible

With special thanks to our lead sponsors for 2024 The Open University in Wales

With special thanks to other sponsors for 2024: