Coming soon – Welsh Charity Awards 2023

We’re about to launch the Welsh Charity Awards 2023. Here’s a sneak preview for WCVA members of what you can expect from this year’s awards.

Organised by WCVA, the Welsh Charity 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.

We’re about to open the 2023 Welsh Charity Awards for nominations so here’s an advanced look, exclusively for our members, at what is happening for this year’s awards.

THE TIMETABLE FOR 2023

We’ll be opening up the awards nominations next week with an eight-week window to submit your nominations:

• W/C 8 May 2023 – Nominations open
• 26 June 2023 – Nomination deadline
• W/C 31 July 2023 – Shortlist announced
• Early October (date TBC) – Award ceremony

CATEGORIES

We have confirmed eight categories for the 2023 Welsh Charity Awards, you can make one nomination in each category (see rules below).

Volunteer of the Year (26 and over)

AND

Young Volunteer of the Year (25 and under)

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.

Income generator of the year

This award will go to a group or 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 will show 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

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.

Best use of Welsh language award

This award will go to an organisation or group that can demonstrate a special effort to increase and/or improve the provision of their service(s) in Welsh. The winning entry will effectively show 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 will also explain how the service-user’s experience has improved though the provision of Welsh language services.

Trailblazer award

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

We are looking for organisations that are leading the way in their field and trying new ways to improve their services and help their communities. This could include 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

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.

Organisation of the year award

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.

WINNERS AND THE CEREMONY

We’ll be contacting all nominees in early August to let them know whether they’ve been shortlisted. Shortlisted organisations will then be invited to a glitzy and glamourous award ceremony where we’ll be announcing the winners! Date and location to be confirmed.

KEEP UP TO DATE

If you want to stay up to date with the awards and other announcements from WCVA then please subscribe to our weekly newsletter. WCVA members can also benefit from our exclusive members-only Policy Digest, and quarterly members newsletter ‘The Difference’ – members can subscribe to these here.

Find out more about making the most of your membership by reading our handy guide.

WELSH CHARITY AWARDS – THE RULES

1. Nominations must be received by 5 pm on 26 June 2023
2. Only make one nomination per nomination form
3. You may only nominate one nominee or group in each category
4. Nominated organisations and groups must be based in or working in Wales
5. Nominated volunteers must either live in Wales or undertake their volunteering work in Wales
6. We welcome nominations for individuals and groups who volunteer abroad for an international organisation based in Wales
7. Permission must be sought from the Chief Officer/ Director or Chair of the nominated organisation before a nomination is submitted
8. Permission must be sought from the volunteer or group of volunteers before the nomination is submitted
9. All answers must relate to recent activity (last two years)
10. 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
11. The nature of the awards presented is the decision of WCVA. No alternative prizes will be considered
12. 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