Find out how Llais y Goedwig is supporting local authorities to better engage with volunteers and volunteering through the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant.
Since autumn 2023, Llais y Goedwig, a grassroots network that represents and supports community woodland groups and practitioners across Wales, has been working in partnership with local authorities across Wales to strengthen volunteering in green spaces.
Funded by Welsh Government, and supported by WCVA through the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant, their work has focused on improving systems, building confidence, and creating inclusive opportunities for communities to engage with nature and each other.
Their work on this project has supported tangible improvements in governance, participation, and sustainability in organisations all across Wales.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Llais y Goedwig had three key aims – make green spaces more accessible to volunteers and environmental organisations, support councils with systems and protocols for volunteer management, and help cross-departmental collaboration to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. Some highlights from across the project were:
Flintshire County Council
Faced with limited capacity, Flintshire’s Countryside Management team received support to improve communications, to streamline volunteer forms, and deliver a programme of practical training. The introduction of a newsletter system and tailored training helped volunteers feel valued and empowered.
Brecon Town Council
After the asset transfer of a popular local green space from Powys County Council, Brecon Town Council are working with Llais y Goedwig officers to build confidence around volunteer involvement. Community consultations and strategic planning are laying the groundwork for future volunteer-led stewardship of this important community space.
Ceredigion County Council
Despite challenges with capacity and staff illness within the council teams, Llais y Goedwig adapted its approach, engaging directly with individual departments and the local voluntary council (CAVO). Opportunities remain for future collaboration, particularly around youth engagement and trail initiatives.
Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC)
Llais y Goedwig continue to evolve a groundbreaking partnership working with BCBC to manage Bedford Park Nature Reserve for and with local people, that has enabled its development as a community-led nature reserve. Volunteer groups have been supported to manage the paths and habitats on the reserve, set up a community tree nursery, undertake conservation projects, and even dormouse monitoring, all with tangible ecological and social outcomes.
Carmarthenshire County Council
Carmarthenshire Council has a wealth of supported volunteering opportunities with varying levels of process and support or volunteers available. Work here concentrated on cataloguing opportunities and encouraging inter-department support where needed to ensure standards and processes are consistent.
Llais y Goedwig have charted the progress of a new centralised volunteering portal with the aim of making it a Council-wide resource to improve recruitment, communication and data collection, offering a streamlined service for staff and volunteers.
SECTOR-WIDE INSIGHTS
In collaboration with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), Llais y Goedwig conducted a national survey of councils and voluntary councils. Key findings included:
- A lack of dedicated volunteer coordinators across most councils
- Volunteer programmes often rely on older, retired individuals, with limited youth engagement
- Councils expressed a need for training, marketing support, and centralised systems
This underscores the importance of continued investment in volunteer infrastructure, not just for environmental outcomes, but for community resilience and wellbeing.
IMPACT AND LEARNING
The project has demonstrated that with the right support, councils can move from top-down management to community-led stewardship. Key areas of impact include:
- Facilitating community-led green space management
- Developing volunteer recruitment and retention strategies
- Strengthening organisational capacity and policy knowledge
- Upskilling volunteers through practical training
LOOKING AHEAD
Going forward, Llais y Goedwig will help Councils and communities:
- Support long-term site stewardship planning
- Facilitate inter-council networking and best practice sharing
- Develop administrative volunteer roles to ease staff burdens
- Expand training and recruitment strategies
- Help council staff understand the volunteer ‘journey’ they offer communities
READ THE FULL EVALUATION
To explore the full evaluation report and case studies in detail, visit the TSSW Knowledge Hub.