It’s the first bilingual survey designed to give practical insights and strengthen our collective voice, Professor Daniel King FCIPD from Nottingham Trent University explains why we’re so excited about Baromedr Cymru.
Sign up now to be part of the first Wales-wide Baromedr in October.
WHY I’M EXCITED ABOUT BAROMEDR CYMRU
I’m delighted that we are launching Baromedr Cymru – the first bilingual, quarterly survey of its kind for the voluntary sector in Wales. Baromedr Cymru will gather regular information from organisations across the country, building a consistent evidence base that tracks change, shows patterns, and helps us understand pressures and opportunities as they emerge. This kind of long-term evidence already exists in the business sector through regular barometers and surveys – and Baromedr Cymru will give the voluntary sector in Wales the same strength of voice and credibility.
For me, it is about more than collecting data. It is about working alongside people across Wales to build a picture of what life is really like for voluntary organisations, and making sure that picture is clear, accurate and trusted. The evidence we create together will be something government and sector leaders can use to shape better decisions and stronger support.
A TOOL TO AMPLIFY OUR SECTOR’S VOICE
Each wave of the survey will feed into personalised reports and interactive dashboards, so that every organisation taking part gets practical insights they can use. Its real value lies in collecting consistent, long-term data about what is happening in our sector – data that strengthens both individual organisations and the sector as a whole.
I’m especially pleased to be working with WCVA, with support from the Welsh Government, to make this possible. Together, we are creating a tool that not only gathers data but also amplifies the voices of people across the sector – ensuring they are heard by funders, decision-makers, and communities alike.
LESS BURDEN, MORE VALUE
One of the things I’m most proud of is that we’ve designed Baromedr Cymru to make life easier, not harder.
- You only need to set up your organisation’s profile once – and update it just once a year.
- Where information already exists, like with the Charity Commission, we’ll pre-fill it for you.
- Each quarter, all we ask is a short survey that takes about 10–15 minutes.
That’s it. And in return, you’ll get a personalised dashboard showing how your organisation compares to others, alongside access to a sector-wide view of trends across Wales.
INDIVIDUALISED REPORTS: INSIGHTS YOU CAN USE
When I speak to people in the sector, one of the questions I hear most often is: ‘How are others doing?’ With Baromedr Cymru, you’ll be able to see exactly how your organisation compares with others across Wales.
Every organisation that takes part will receive their own individualised report after each quarterly wave. These reports bring together your survey responses with wider sector data, so you can see:
- how your organisation’s experiences compare to others of a similar size, location, or focus
- whether the challenges you face – such as rising demand, difficulties with volunteers, or financial pressures – are being felt across the sector too
- how key indicators, like confidence about the future, are shifting over time
How are others doing? Baromedr Cymru gives you the answer.
USING YOUR REPORT
Here are just a few of the ways you could use your report:
- Board and trustee discussions: bring hard data into conversations about priorities, risks, and future planning
- Funding applications: strengthen your case with evidence that shows not just your own experience, but how it fits into wider sector trends
- Team planning and reflection: use the data to sense-check whether what you’re experiencing is unique to your organisation or part of a broader shift
- Conversations with partners and stakeholders: give context and credibility when talking to local authorities, health boards, or funders
Instead of relying on anecdotes or gut feeling, you’ll have up-to-date, comparative data that makes sense of what’s happening for your organisation within the bigger picture of the voluntary sector in Wales.
And as the dataset builds wave by wave, the value of these reports will only grow – helping us all see what’s changing, what’s working, and what needs attention.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
By being part of Baromedr Cymru, your organisation will have:
- Practical insights you can use straight away in funding applications, trustee reports, and planning
- Regular evidence to track how things are changing for you and for the sector
- Individualised reports each quarter, putting your organisation’s data in context
- A stronger collective voice, making sure government, funders and decision-makers understand what’s happening on the ground
This isn’t research for its own sake – it’s about turning our shared experiences into evidence with purpose.
LET’S BUILD IT TOGETHER
What excites me most is that this is just the beginning. The more people who join, the stronger and more useful Baromedr Cymru becomes. This is about reducing duplication, sharing insight, and making sure voluntary organisations in Wales are seen, heard and understood.
So I’m asking you to be part of the very first wave. Set up your profile, take part in the first survey, and help us shape a tool that will serve the whole sector for years to come.