2 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government celebrates community heroes in Newport
The Welsh Government recognised the vital work of volunteers, who have improved thousands of lives across Wales.
About 27 per cent of people in Wales participate in formal volunteering with charities and organisations, with many more contributing informally.
The Welsh Government has invested more than £4.6 million in volunteering initiatives since April 2022, enabling more than 419,000 hours of volunteering and training for 6,710 people across Wales.
Jane Hutt MS, cabinet secretary for social justice visited Newport's St Giles Trust during Volunteers Week.
The trust, which has received nearly £100,000 through the Welsh Government's Strategic Volunteering Grant, supports the 'Experts By Experience Wales' project, creating volunteering opportunities for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, poverty, violence, and exploitation.
Anne-Marie Rogan, business development manager at St Giles Trust, said: "Our project aims to break down barriers for those with lived experience of adversity who want to volunteer.
"We've created a self-assessment toolkit for employers across all sectors and developed a digital platform launching this month that will connect organisations with individuals seeking volunteering pathways.
"This funding has been crucial in helping us drive meaningful change in how Wales approaches inclusive volunteering."
At the end of Volunteers Week, MS Hutt said: "Volunteers are the backbone of our communities and Volunteers Week gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the impact volunteering has on individuals, organisations and communities across Wales.
"While people give their time freely, we recognise they must be properly supported and safeguarded, which is why we remain committed to investing in people and our communities.
"I thank each volunteer for their contribution and encourage everyone to continue supporting volunteering efforts that make our communities so much richer."
