The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) has been named ‘Organisation of the Year’ at this year’s Welsh Charity Awards in Cardiff’s Parkgate Hotel, scooping the top award. The leading charity has been recognised for its outstanding contribution in supporting asylum seekers and refugees across Wales.
Announced late on 11 October, WRC fought off stiff competition from finalists Calan DVS, Cycling4all,FareShare Cymru, and Llamau to win the coveted prize. It has been commended for a programme of work, over the past year, that has successfully homed over 200 refugees who would otherwise have been homeless and for initiating a unique pan-Wales project benefiting over 1,700 Ukrainians.
Andrea Cleaver, Chief Executive Officer, of the Welsh Refugee Council said:
‘I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the Welsh Refugee Council’s volunteers and staff helping sanctuary-seekers rebuild their lives in Wales. Despite the hostility shown by the UK Government, I am deeply moved by the daily acts of kindness shown by our staff and volunteers. I am so proud that Wales is a Nation of Sanctuary.’
Speaking at this year’s ceremony, at Cardiff’s Parkgate Hotel, WCVA’s Matt Brown said: ‘Like the Urdd, who won last year’s Organisation of the Year, the Welsh Refugee Council exemplifies all that is good about the sector. In addition to creating direct services for asylum seekers and refugees, it has given a voice to those that are most marginalised in our society and has been an embodiment of Wales as a Nation of Sanctuary.
‘The Welsh Refugee Council, like all of our other seven winners, have achieved so much over the past year and is well respected and admired by others in the sector for changing lives for the better. We’re thrilled, at WCVA, to be able to honour these eight worthy winners.’
Picking up the Volunteer of the Year award, Nicola Harteveld, said: “Thank you to the Open University for this, and to the WCVA; these awards are so imperative. It is lovely to be nominated but a win is invaluable in raising funds for our charity. These awards are vital in getting the information out there for people. A huge thank you to my team – I couldn’t do what I do without them. And also to my family – again I couldn’t do it without them. Thank you so much”.
Sara Medi won Young Volunteer of the Year award, who said: ‘I am truly honoured and humbled to have won the Welsh Charity Awards 2023’s Young volunteer of the year category – thanks to the African Community Centre. My passion for mental health, humanitarian work, and supporting young people has been a driving force in my life. It is a privilege to contribute to causes that matter deeply to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others. This serves as a reminder of the importance of collective efforts in creating a better world, and I am inspired to continue my commitment to these causes with even more dedication and enthusiasm in the future. Thank you for this recognition, and let’s keep working together to make a difference in our communities.’
Organised by WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action), it is the only dedicated awards ceremony to celebrate the entire voluntary sector in Wales, recognising and celebrating 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.
The Welsh Charity Awards celebrate just some of the amazing stories of the difference that charities and volunteers from across Wales are making. For the full list of finalists, please visit the Welsh Charity Awards
Winners of the Welsh Charity Awards 2023
Volunteer of the Year (volunteers aged 26 or over)
Sponsored by The Open University in Wales
| Nicola Harteveld
Nicola founded Megan’s Starr Foundation after her daughter, Megan, committed suicide. She now volunteers 40 hours a week to raise awareness of bullying and to promote good mental health among disadvantaged young people in Pembrokeshire, organising 300+ hours of training to date. |
Young Volunteer of the Year (volunteers aged 25 and under)
Sponsored by Utility Aid
| Sara Madi
Sara, a 21-year-old asylum seeker, has become a vital volunteer at the African Community Centre as leader of the Women Breaking Borders young women’s group, Arabic interpreter, and kick-starting counselling training with Trinity Saint David University for BME young people. |
Income generator of the year
Sponsored by Tantrwm
| Tŷ Hafan
The cost-of-living crisis led to a 50% drop in donations for Tŷ Hafan, which kick-started a 60-hour public fundraiser using the ‘Appeal Champion model’, sharing end-of-life care stories like Rose’s that helped raise £344,649 (the most ever for the charity). |
Champion of diversity award
Sponsored by Hugh James
| Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales
Pioneering WEN Wales collaborates extensively to champion gender equality and its recent successes include securing gender quotas in Senedd reform and obtaining funding for domestic abuse survivors who have no access to public funds. |
Best use of Welsh language award
Sponsored by Nico
| Alzheimer’s Society Cymru Dementia Support Telephone Service
Alzheimer’s Society Cymru has bolstered its Welsh Language services by supporting 281 Welsh speaking service users through its telephone service in 2022/23, funding Welsh speaking Dementia Advisers to travel to areas without fluent staff and refining its translated materials. |
Trailblazer award
Sponsored by salesforce.org
| Community Volunteers Wales
The Pantri, initiated by Community Volunteers Wales in February 2023, is an innovative community food pantry that diverts 400kgs of food from landfill by empowering its members to make sustainable and affordable choices through a £2 food basket subscription. |
Health and wellbeing award
Sponsored by Improvement Cymru
| Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading
Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading uses sport to create positive change, offering inclusive gymnastics and cheerleading opportunities in Monmouthshire and Newport, as well as other diverse initiatives, to successfully transform the health and wellbeing of participants. |
Organisation of the year
Sponsored by The SCG Group
| Welsh Refugee Council
The Welsh Refugee Council has tirelessly supported and advocated on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees, starting a Ukrainian project benefiting over 1,700 Ukrainians, finding homes for over 200 refugees at risk of homelessness, and many more vital services and initiatives. |
