This manifesto represents the collective voice of Wales’ voluntary sector, born of engagement with, and insight from, volunteers, partners, stakeholders and networks.
It sets out a clear call: the next Welsh Government must work in equal partnership with the voluntary sector to build a better Wales.
We are calling on the next Welsh Government to introduce legislation via a Voluntary Sector Partnership (Wales) Act – building on and accelerating work on how the voluntary sector is funded, engaged and empowered.
The Act aims to create the conditions for the sector to thrive by embedding fair funding, strengthening volunteering and formalising partnership standards with Welsh Government, local authority and health partners.
Short-term, reactive funding cycles hold us back. They limit strategic planning, destabilise staffing and drain precious resource through constant bidding and reporting. This affects not just the voluntary sector, but our ability to work effectively with public services.
A fair funding duty changes that.
Volunteering doesn’t just happen. It needs structure, support and resources.
Right now, people’s lives are changing as they adapt to higher living costs and other challenges. Volunteers and potential volunteers face changing barriers to participation, and organisations lack the resources and capacity to adapt in response. This makes it difficult to recruit, train and retain volunteers.
A volunteering duty changes that.
Our communities are rich in ideas, energy and resilience, but too often they lack the tools to forge their own futures. Access to shared spaces is patchy. Community-led services are underfunded. And the systems meant to support local action are slow, unclear or inconsistent. We need a framework that enables communities to thrive and unlocks their power.
A communities duty does just that. Co-produced with the voluntary sector, it would provide clear direction, funding and guidance to support:
The voluntary sector is a trusted, independent partner – not just a stakeholder to consult. For over a decade, the Third Sector Scheme has provided a formal mechanism for engagement with Welsh Government. It has been valuable, but it is time for a refresh. The sector’s insight, reach and expertise are underused – and Wales misses out as a result.
A partnership duty changes that.
Transparency and accountability are essential to building trust and to ensuring that commitments to the voluntary sector are followed through. We need to be able to track progress, identify gaps and continually improve practice.
An oversight duty does that.
Voluntary organisations are rooted in communities and trusted by those most affected by inequality. With the right legal, policy and financial backing, we can help target the root causes and not just the symptoms of inequality.
The voluntary sector is a vital part of the response to:
Voluntary organisations play a crucial role in developing a sense of belonging, connection and resilience. From anti-racism to promoting Cymraeg and safeguarding and advancing human rights, we will continue working to reduce isolation, challenge discrimination and create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, safe and valued.
From national policy experts to local eco and environmental groups, our sector is already driving change. With the right support, we can help Wales mitigate and adapt to the climate and nature emergency – and ensure no community is left behind.
The next Senedd term is a chance to re-imagine how we work together on this ground-breaking Act to bring about better long-term outcomes. Voluntary organisations are committed partners, ready to help shift the dial and deliver sustainable, joined-up solutions that put people and planet first.
Voluntary organisations are powerful. There are more than 46,000 groups in Wales and a third of our adult population volunteer. From food banks to youth clubs, mental health support to climate action, community transport to domestic abuse services, employability to end-of-life care – we are everywhere people need us.
We are clear: no government can deliver a more prosperous, fairer, healthier and bilingual Wales without us. We always have been – and continue to be – ready to work side-by-side with public bodies on a local, regional and national basis.
It is time to re-focus and re-energise our work with government. We are here to shape solutions and the next Senedd term is an opportunity to mark a new chapter – one where the voluntary sector is engaged early, funded fairly and empowered fully.
Connection with communities
Voluntary organisations are rooted in the communities we serve. We are born of local need, shaped by lived experience and trusted by the people we support. This makes us uniquely placed to bridge the gap between public institutions and community members.
Embedded social value
Social value is not an ‘add-on’ – it is our purpose and in our DNA. It is written into our governing documents, monitored by trustees and delivered in every action we take. We exist to improve lives, strengthen communities and create a fairer Wales.
Expertise and insight
We are in constant dialogue with service users, building a deep knowledge of social issues. Our expertise helps decision-makers tackle complex challenges, co-create effective policies, and deliver better outcomes.
Support for public services
From prevention and rehabilitation to community transport, patient discharge, employability, childcare – and more – we provide essential support that complements and relieves pressure on public services.
Innovation and adaptability
We are well-versed in creative problem-solving, service design and engagement, bringing fresh ideas and agile approaches to long-standing challenges.
Specialist services
Many voluntary organisations are the sole providers of specialist support. From peer support groups for rare diseases to domestic violence shelters and social welfare charities, we provide invaluable support to our service users and have a huge social impact.
We cannot provide our services for free
Our services may be free or low-cost to the public, but they are not free to run. Volunteers need support. Helplines need answering. Services need funding. Even unpaid work comes with costs.
There are challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, trustees and volunteers
Charities are often unable to keep up with wages in other sectors and many are forced to only offer short-term contracts. Additionally, trustees and volunteers are harder to find and keep, while the cost-of-living crisis forces people to prioritise paid work. The sector’s work and volunteer-force are stretched thin.
Public contracts don’t cover the true cost of delivery
Many charities deliver specialist services for government, but contracts and grants often fall short. Inflation, overheads and fair wages must be built into funding – we cannot keep plugging gaps with dwindling reserves or donations.
Demand is soaring
Demand for support is growing and needs are becoming more complex. Without timely, preventative action, pressure on public services will intensify. Voluntary organisations are already delivering early interventions across health, social care and well-being, and other areas. With the right support, we can help people sooner, reduce crisis demand and improve long-term outcomes.
We are ready to help – but we need our seat at the table
We are not just service providers – we are equal and strategic partners. Early, regular and ongoing dialogue with government and the public sector is essential if we are to tackle Wales’ biggest challenges together.
The onset of the 7th Senedd term is an opportunity to be bold and ambitious. That’s why this manifesto calls for momentum through the introduction of a Voluntary Sector Partnership (Wales) Act – legislation that secures fair funding, strengthens volunteering, formalises partnership, and unlocks community power.
