Welsh Charity
Awards 2023

Welsh Charity Awards 2023!

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.

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Key dates for 2023

There are eight categories in the Welsh Charity Awards.

Nominations for the 2023 Awards are now closed. 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.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists as listed below.

Volunteer of the year (volunteers aged 26 or over) - sponsored by The Open University in Wales

Congratulations to our winner: Nicola Harteveld

Nicola founded Megan’s Starr Foundation after her daughter, Megan, committed suicide, and now volunteers 40 hours a week to raise awareness of bullying and to promote good mental health among disadvantaged young people in Pembrokeshire, organising 300+ hours of training to date.

And, finalists:

Gill Faulkner
Susan Davies

The Volunteer of the year award was awarded to an individual who stands out by making an extra special contribution to their community or environment through their volunteering. This was 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 is on the positive difference that has been achieved, rather than on the amount or length of time spent volunteering. The winning entry demonstrates 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.

Young volunteer of the year (volunteers aged 25 or under) - sponsored by Utility Aid

Congratulations to our winner: Sara Madi

Sara, a 21-year-old asylum seeker, has become a vital volunteer at the African Community Centre as leader of the Women Breaking Borders young women’s group, Arabic interpreter, and kick-starting counselling training with Trinity Saint David University for Asian and Minority Ethnic young people.

And, finalists:

Thandiwe McDonnell
Charlotte Cooke

The Young volunteer of the year award was awarded to an individual who stands out by making an extra special contribution to their community or environment through their volunteering. This was 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.

Income generator of the year – sponsored by Tantrwm

Congratulations to our winner: Tŷ Hafan

The cost-of-living crisis led to a 50% drop in donations for Tŷ Hafan, which kick-started a 60-hour public fundraiser using the ‘Appeal Champion model’, sharing end-of-life care stories like Rose’s that helped raise £344,649 (the most ever for the charity).

And, finalists:

Cardiff Rivers Group
Sistema Cymru – Codi’r To

The Income generator of the year award was awarded to an organisation that has adapted or updated their income generating practices (this could be fundraising, trading or contract/commissioned work) and/or internal processes and can demonstrate that they have become more financially sustainable and resilient.

The winning organisation showed they have applied strategic thinking to how they manage their income generation and finances to better adapt to and prepare for the changing social and economic climate facing the voluntary sector in Wales and beyond.

Champion of diversity award – sponsored by Hugh James

Congratulations to our winner: Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales

Pioneering WEN Wales collaborates extensively to champion gender equality and its recent successes include securing gender quotas in Senedd reform and obtaining funding for domestic abuse survivors who have no access to public funds.

And, finalists:

Môn Communities Forward
TGP Cymru Refugee and Asylum Programme: ‘Belong Project’

The Champion of diversity award was awarded to an organisation 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.

All finalists 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.

Best use of Welsh language award - sponsored by Nico

Congratulations to our winner: Alzheimer’s Society Cymru Dementia Support Telephone Service

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru has bolstered its Welsh Language services by supporting 281 Welsh speaking service users through its telephone service in 2022/23, funding Welsh speaking Dementia Advisers to travel to areas without fluent staff and refining its translated materials.

And, finalists:

Mind Cymru
Pride y Bontfaen

The Best use of Welsh language award was awarded to an organisation that demonstrates a special effort to increase and/or improve the provision of their service(s) in Welsh. The winning entry effectively shows how they have considered their service-users’ needs and used an innovative approach to overcome some of the challenges they have faced in offering a Welsh-language service. They explain how the service-user’s experience has improved though the provision of Welsh language services.

Trailblazer award - sponsored by salesforce.org

Congratulations to our winner: Community Volunteers Wales

The Pantri, initiated by Community Volunteers Wales in February 2023, is an innovative community food pantry that diverts 400kgs of food from landfill by empowering its members to make sustainable and affordable choices through a £2 food basket subscription.

And, finalists:

Tanio
Cwm Taf Morgannwg Dementia Support Team

The Trailblazer award was awarded to an organisation that has tried a new approach or done something pioneering or innovative to make a huge difference to people’s lives.

All finalists are organisations that are leading the way in their field and trying new ways to improve their services and help their communities. Including using new technologies, futureproofing the organisation, or tackling big issues such as climate change. Whatever the trailblazing approach is, it should demonstrate a positive impact on others, and that the organisation has changed the way it operates.

Health and wellbeing award – sponsored by Improvement Cymru

Congratulations to our winner: Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading

Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading uses sport to create positive change, offering inclusive gymnastics and cheerleading opportunities in Monmouthshire and Newport, as well as other diverse initiatives, to successfully transform the health and wellbeing of participants.

And, finalists:

Cerebral Palsy Cymru
Gwent Wildlife Trust Wild Health Project

The Health and wellbeing award was awarded 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 demonstrates 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.

Organisation of the year - sponsored by The SCG Group

Congratulations to our winner: Welsh Refugee Council

The Welsh Refugee Council has tirelessly supported and advocated on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees, starting a Ukrainian project benefiting over 1,700 Ukrainians, finding homes for over 200 refugees at risk of homelessness, and many more vital services and initiatives.

And, finalists:

Llamau
FareShare Cymru
Cycling4All
Calan DVS

The Organisation of the year award was awarded 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 wis a resilient organisation and demonstrate high standards of governance. The organisation of the year is 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.

Congratulations to this 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

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

Rules

Nominations must be received by 5 pm on 26 June 2023
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
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 valued sponsors for 2023:

The Awards are judged by a panel of experts, each with different but relevant experience across several of the categories.

The judges assess the nominations against the criteria set out in the nomination forms.

Welsh Charity Awards judges for 2022:

[Photo and short description about each judge]