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Urdd Named Charity of the Year at Welsh Charity Awards

Urdd Gobaith Cymru yw Elusen y Flwyddyn yng Ngwobrau Elusennau Cymru

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Winners of this year’s Welsh Charity Awards have been honoured at a celebratory reception today, as part of WCVA’s Welsh Charities Week (21-25 November). Almost 200 nominations were received, with Urdd Gobaith Cymru winning the coveted ‘Organisation of the Year’ award. 

All five category winners will receive a trophy to honour their achievements at the reception in ITV Cymru Wales Studios. The Awards showcase the positive difference we can all make to each other’s lives, by recognising and celebrating the fantastic contribution charities, community groups, not-for-profits and volunteers make here in Wales.

WCVA Chief Executive Ruth Marks says: 

“Welsh Charity Awards demonstrate the extraordinarily diverse work found in the sector, and the impact charities and volunteers make to the lives of people every day in every community across Wales. We’re thrilled, at WCVA, to be able to honour these five worthy winners.

“If you are inspired by them, then do get involved during Welsh Charities Week by volunteering, donating or giving a shout to your favourite charity or voluntary group!”

WINNERS

Volunteer of the Year (volunteers aged 26 or over) 

Sponsored by Keegan and Pennykid

Andrew Coppin – The Walking Men of Mid Wales

Awarded to Andrew for his extra special contribution to men’s mental health. With male suicide levels spiking in the Newtown and Welshpool area, Andrew decided to set up a walking and talking group to support vulnerable men. He has since started a mixed group, all of which is proving a lifeline to many people in his community.

Young Volunteer of the Year (volunteers aged 25 and under)

Sponsored by Hugh James

Rachel Joseph – Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales (FTWW)

Rachel is honoured for her passionate advocacy for fellow endometriosis patients and disabled and chronically ill women in Wales. She has made an extra special contribution to FTWW’s campaigning, harnessing her lived experience to improve access to women’s healthcare and menstrual wellbeing education in Wales.

Digital pioneers 

Sponsored by Salesforce

Innovate Trust

Innovate Trust won the award for their unique Insight app, which has made a huge difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities. Entirely free to access, it has broken new ground for the charity, increasing their engagement by 500% to 1,600 people in Wales and across the UK.

Wellbeing in Wales 

Sponsored by The Open University in Wales

Cariad Pet Therapy

Cariad Pet Therapy is radically transforming the mental wellbeing of a range of communities across south west Wales and have plans to expand to north Wales by 2022/23.They offer life-changing support to communities through 80 therapy dog teams, pet food banks, an active inclusion employability project and 60 robot pets.

Organisation of the year 

Sponsored by The SCG Group

Urdd Gobaith Cymru

A truly outstanding organisation, the Urdd has achieved a huge amount in its centenary year, and has truly become a leading light for young people across Wales. Its much-lauded refugee work, benefiting 250 Ukrainians and 110 Afghans, is just the tip of the iceberg. Among its other many achievements, the charity offers £1 membership to children from low-income families (instead of £10), recorded its highest ever attendance at an Urdd Eisteddfod (in Denbighshire), and organised the first ever Wales-wide conference for women in sports.

Organised by WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action) for Welsh Charities Week, the Awards 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.

#WelshCharitiesWeek takes place 21 – 25 November; find out how you can get involved at www.welshcharitiesweek.cymru

Business News Wales