Volunteers, community groups and the wider voluntary sector have been integral to supporting people and communities across Wales through the COVID-19 crisis. Collaboration, and our collective ability to make a much bigger difference to people’s wellbeing together, has led to effective action for the people of Wales.

In the midst of the tragedy and hardships of recent months, these groups have had to work very differently. This has created opportunities to learn about what does and doesn’t work and what could lead to longer term change. The recovery presents a once in a generation opportunity to address the long-term challenges that face our society, as well as the immediate challenges ahead. Voluntary organisations are ambitious to play their full part in creating a better future.

The crisis has led to huge upheaval across the voluntary sector. Some has been positive – rapid innovation, new relationships and shifts in behaviours and opinions that many have been campaigning on for years. But some has been negative – significant loss of income at a time of rising demand, services reduced or closed and worsening outcomes for the most vulnerable people and communities. The crisis will lead to deep and permanent change. We believe the voluntary sector can apply the same community spirit to the challenges Wales will face in the future.

The manifesto outlines some of the ways that the public and voluntary sector can work in partnership to ensure the best outcomes for Wales. In developing this manifesto, we have listened to our members, to the voluntary sector and stakeholders more widely and drawn on a wide range of reports on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the voluntary sector and the people who it serves. More detail on many of these proposals can be found in our response to the Our Future Wales consultation.

Clair Swales our PAVO Head of Health & Wellbeing explains why we simply cannot go back to how things were in this WCVA video

Read more in the Voluntary Sector Manifesto  Also attached below.