Partners for Progress - Wales' Voluntary Sector’s manifesto for Senedd 2026

The Voluntary Sector's 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.

The Manifesto's central ask is for a Voluntary Sector Partnership (Wales) Act

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 intends 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.

The Act aims to help us tackle some of Wales’ biggest challenges together:

Reducing inequality

Promoting health and well-being

Building cohesive communities

Tackling the climate and nature emergency

Unlocking the potential of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act

Click here to download the manifesto in English

Click here to download the manifesto in Welsh

Click here for an overview of the manifesto on WCVA's website

Latest

Swansea Women’s Aid - Finance Officer

Swansea Women’s Aid offers dynamic, innovative services to women and children experiencing violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV).
New local grant fund open

As the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has come to an end Swansea Council have allocated £300,000 to continue to support third sector organisations in the Swansea Bay area.
SCVS – Community Transport Development Associate

SCVS (Swansea Council for Voluntary Service) is the umbrella organisation for voluntary activity throughout the City & County of Swansea, supporting, developing and representing voluntary organisations, volunteers and communities in the County.
Does our training programme work for you?

Last month we launched our Autumn training programme for the sector, full of courses to help you get the most out of your organisation and develop your team. We’d love to hear your thoughts on our programme so that we can continue to make it as relevant as possible.

New local grant fund open

As the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has come to an end Swansea Council have allocated £300,000 to continue to support third sector organisations in the Swansea Bay area.
Does our training programme work for you?

Last month we launched our Autumn training programme for the sector, full of courses to help you get the most out of your organisation and develop your team. We’d love to hear your thoughts on our programme so that we can continue to make it as relevant as possible.
Welcome Tempo - New SCVS Member

Tempo is a national charity that helps communities recognise and value the time people give. They believe that everyone has something to contribute and that when people feel valued for that contribution, stronger, healthier and more connected communities grow.
Community car scheme for Swansea launches

While many appreciate the convenience of owning a car, the cost of insurance and petrol means that it can be expensive, the emissions are bad for the environment and it can be impossible if you live somewhere with no allocated parking.
SCVS July ebulletin out now

It's first of July, so that means a brand new SCVS ebulletin for the sector!
Work with under 5's? Down to Earth want to hear from you

Down to Earth are currently developing ‘Natur a Ni’, an exciting project that explores how young children can play an active role in shaping outdoor spaces—creating places that are designed for children and inspired by their ideas, experiences, and perspectives.
Trustee vacancies at SCVS

We have an exciting opportunity for individuals to join our Board of Trustees and further strengthen the governance and strategic focus of SCVS. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants interested in the role of Treasurer.
Would you like Butterfly Conservation ‘Wild Spaces’ to come to Swansea?

Butterfly Conservation is a UK charity leading on the conservation and protection of our much-loved butterflies and moths. As part of the charities work in communities across the UK it has a programme of work- Wild Spaces- which is helping it reach and inspire more people to take action regardless of where they live.
A week of collaboration, connections and learning

Last week we held two major events for the sector - our annual Members event (this year themed around Resilience), and the Showcasing Third Sector Partnerships in Cluster Development event with NPTCVS and Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Learning and Recommendations from Swansea Poverty Truth Commission

Swansea Poverty Truth Commission team have prepared a document summarising the recommendations and main learning points arising from the commission.

Volunteer Centre

At Swansea Volunteer Centre, we are here to help. We can provide all the support you need to start volunteering. Please get in touch with our friendly team.
Staff

Swansea Council for Voluntary Service employs 60+ staff, based at our office on Walter Road (NB - by appointment only), Swansea. For the main contact details for SCVS, use the Contact Us button, or you can contact a member of staff directly below.
Microenterprise Directory

The SCVS Communities Together project supports individuals in Swansea to develop microenterprises - here you'll find a directory of those services with links to find out more.
Involve

Involve has a variety of schemes that engage people in need in Swansea. Involve recruit, train and support volunteers to be in a befriending/ Independent visitor role on a one to one or in a group setting to meet the needs of individual children, young people, families, adults with various needs or older people.
Membership

SCVS are governed by a Board of Trustees made up of representatives of local third sector organisations in membership, and co-opted people with specialist skills and experience, ensuring that the support we offer is relevant, needed and valued by the local sector.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Volunteering Project

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Volunteering Project, funded by SBUHB and managed by SCVS, is a wellbeing support Project for people with mental ill health.
About us

Swansea Council for Voluntary Service is the umbrella organisation for voluntary activity throughout the City & County of Swansea, supporting, developing and representing voluntary organisations, volunteers and communities in the County. We work to support and develop the Third Sector by providing a wide range of information, advice and support services and by representing the views of the sector to government and policy makers...
New Ways to Wellbeing

Swansea's Social Prescribing Service. SCVS is working in partnership with 5 SBUHB GP clusters across Swansea to deliver a Social Prescribing Service – ‘New Ways to Wellbeing’.
Swansea Youth Bank

Swansea Youth Bank is a youth led, grant giving panel of volunteers that provides grants to groups of young people to develop and run their own community projects across the City and County of Swansea.
Volunteering for under 25's

Information for young people under 25 who are interested in volunteering.

Support for Organisations

We work to support and develop the Third Sector by providing a wide range of information, advice and support services and by representing the views of the sector to government and policy makers. Read more