WCVA and Public Health Wales (PHW) have announced a new partnership agreement, combining the strengths of Wales’ voluntary sector and its national public health organisation.
The aim of this partnership is to strengthen public health and community wellbeing in Wales, preventing harm and supporting current and future generations.
The agreement is the result of a strong alignment in mission, values and long‑term priorities between the two organisations.
A COMMON PURPOSE
Both organisations are driven by a commitment to improving the wellbeing of people and communities across Wales. WCVA’s values of leadership, courage, passion, integrity and equity, sit naturally alongside PHW’s focus on working together with trust and respect to make a difference.
These shared values underpin a partnership that is collaborative, evidence‑informed and rooted in the belief that communities themselves hold many of the solutions to Wales’s biggest health challenges.
WCVA’s Health and Care Project is at the heart of the organisation’s work in health and social care. Its aim is to ensure the voluntary sector and volunteers are trusted and valued as equal partners in delivering a healthier, more resilient Wales.
WHY PREVENTION MATTERS
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment. Wales is facing rising demand on public services, widening inequalities, and increased pressure (in resource and capacity) on both statutory and voluntary organisations.
The country is also moving towards becoming a ‘Marmot nation’ to tackle health inequalities, while the ‘community by design’ planning approach aims to deliver services safely and effectively in the community.
Prevention (acting early to keep people well and reduce avoidable harm) is vital in easing pressure on services, reducing inequalities, and helping people stay healthy.
PHW brings national leadership, population-level intelligence and deep expertise in prevention science. WCVA brings unparalleled reach into communities, strong relationships with voluntary organisations and a practical understanding of what helps people stay well in their everyday lives.
Together, the organisations aim to shift prevention from principle to practice, ensuring community‑led approaches are embedded across Wales’s health and care system.
Volunteering is a key part of this picture. Volunteers already support mental health, reduce loneliness, strengthen resilience in emergencies and help people maintain independence. The partnership will highlight this contribution and make the case for sustained investment in community based preventative activity.
The importance of prevention has been recognised by the new Welsh Government in its first 100-day plan. This saw the appointment of a Minister for Public and Preventive Health, who has responsibility for coordinating prevention across government.
LONG TERM OUTCOMES
The partnership is designed to deliver four long term outcomes:
- Mutual value, trust and respect across both organisations
- Proactive collaboration between PHW and the voluntary sector
- Greater investment in community‑based prevention
- A stronger evidence base for preventative interventions in communities
These outcomes reflect a shared ambition to build a Wales where people can live healthier, more connected lives, and where communities are supported to thrive.
Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, Chief Executive of WCVA, said: ‘We are delighted to be in a partnership with Public Health Wales. There’s just so much collective good that we can put out into the world.’
Dr Tracey Cooper, OBE, Chief Executive of Public Health Wales, said: ‘I’m really pleased about this partnership agreement with the WCVA, recognising the vital role of the voluntary sector in protecting and improving health across Wales.
‘This agreement highlights our shared commitment to improving health and reducing health inequalities, and it is an exciting opportunity to work more closely together to maximise our collective impact for communities across Wales.’