Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) has launched a film highlighting powerful human stories aiming to show the impact of the work of our charities, voluntary organisations and volunteers in Wales.  The film created for Welsh Charities Week (9-13 February) acknowledges the large-scale contribution in society made by the voluntary sector to our communities and our economy.

(NWWT segment at 7mins 22sec)

The Welsh Charities Week campaign called Play Your Part, Change Lives encourages people to volunteer, donate or champion their favourite charity organisations. In a recent research report conducted by Durham University it estimates the voluntary sector contributed at least £9.1b to Wales in 2025 and saved the Welsh public sector at least £1.4b. There are over 45,000 charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations of all kinds working in Wales at present supporting us in our lives in many ways every day and it is estimated that over 900,000 volunteers contribute over 145 million hours of their time each year.

During Welsh Charities week WCVA will also host two forum events for the voluntary sector at the Senedd and Norwegian Church in Cardiff. The first event will cover Celebrating Achievements, Confronting Challenges and Shaping the Future. Whilst the theme for the second event will address: Responding to Hate and Misinformation: Challenges and lessons for the voluntary sector.

These events will put a spotlight on the ambitions and challenges faced by the sector as we approach the Senedd elections in May. WCVA are calling for the next Welsh Government to work in equal partnership with the voluntary sector and create a Voluntary Sector Partnership Act in order to empower the sector to thrive as part of their manifesto. As the manifesto states ‘We are clear: no government can deliver a more prosperous, fairer, healthier and bilingual Wales without us’.

The film being launched is produced by WCVA and created by We Are Torchy films and features the inspirational story of a former resident at Brynawel House Rehabilitation Centre in Llanharan, a leading residential centre for the treatment of alcohol and drugs dependencies. The film also showcases the network and opportunities created for young people by the Grange Pavilion Youth Forum in Grangetown, Cardiff and the improved wellbeing and feeling of togetherness gained by a group of volunteers at the Gwaith Powdr Nature Reserve, part of North Wales Wildlife Trust. 

Dr Lindsay Cordery Bruce, Chief Executive of WCVA said“Charities and voluntary organisations keep us connected. They promote collective awesomeness in the heart of our communities and enable great things to happen. They make a huge impact on all of us whether we are being supported, giving or giving back. We want Welsh Charities Week to inspire more organisations and individuals to get involved. The answers to community problems are already within communities. Charities are the key that unlocks this potential."

Get involved or find out more about volunteering opportunities with North Wales Wildlife Trust