CHARITIES, community groups, not-for-profits and volunteers will be honoured today, Monday 25 November, as part of this year’s Welsh Charity Awards at National Museum Cardiff, which coincides on the first day of Welsh Charities Week. Flying the flag for Carmarthen is Carmarthenshire People First, which has its HQ on Spilman Street in Carmarthen, and is shortlisted for ‘Most Influential Small Organisation’.
Organised by WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action), the Welsh Charity Awards is the only dedicated awards ceremony to celebrate the entire voluntary sector in Wales.
Carmarthenshire People First is a member-led advocacy organisation that empowers individuals with cognitive differences through the creation of a transformative Learning Disability Charter, which has influenced local authorities and health boards to enhance services for the community. Their innovative ‘Dream Team’ initiative bridges the gap between lived experience and decision-making, and has been successful in influencing local and regional services, improving well-being across Wales.
Commenting on the charity’s nomination, Manager Sarah Phillips told WCVA: “Carmarthenshire People First is celebrating its 20th anniversary. For two decades, we have championed the rights and voices of individuals in our community, fostering inclusion and independence across Carmarthenshire and further afield.
“Reaching the final of the Most Influential Small Charity category has been recognition of our hard work, especially in such demanding times for the third sector. The Members of Carmarthenshire People First are delighted to take our place at the Awards ceremony, and it is an honour to be in the final three.”
Speaking ahead of this year’s ceremony at National Museum Cardiff, WCVA’s Chief Executive Lindsay Cordery-Bruce said: “We’re delighted to have had a record number of nominations this year – 239 in total.
“That’s testimony to the quality work undertaken by volunteers, community groups and charities the length and breadth of our country. I couldn’t be more excited to meet them on 25 November at National Museum Cardiff – and find out who’s scooped the top awards.”
The prize is sponsored by Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, with Carmarthenshire People First shortlisted as it is a small organisation (with an income of less than £500,000 per year), which has influenced – or is influencing – positive change to policy or practice in Wales.
Also nominated for this year’s prize are two further charities:
- Daring to Dream focuses on emotional (rather than mental) health and its significant role in assisting recovery from health crises and good self-management of chronic illness. Their work includes ‘making spaces to talk’ in hospitals, supporting those tough clinical conversations when patients and families are at their most vulnerable.
- Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales (FTWW) has significantly influenced female healthcare in Wales by advocating for policy changes and empowering individuals with lived experience to demand equitable treatment and improved health services, most notably in the NHS Wales Women’s Health Plan.
The Welsh Charity Awards celebrate just some of the amazing stories of the difference made by charities and volunteers across Wales.
For the full list of finalists, please visit the Welsh Charity Awards website.
