Children across Swansea wake up every day to a world shaped by choices they didn’t make. Some open their eyes to warmth and safety; others wake up unsure how the day will unfold. But every child, wherever they live, wakes up with rights. These rights include safety, dignity, education, and the right to be listened to.
This World Children’s Day, we’re focusing on children’s rights in Swansea and how Faith in Families is helping protect them — not just today, but every single day.
Listening to Children: The First Step Toward Change
Listening is powerful. It helps children show us what life feels like from their side, and it reveals where their rights are being protected and where they’re being missed.
In Brighter Futures and Inspiring Futures, we hear stories that shape the way we work. Some children talk about feeling invisible. Others talk about being scared to walk into school. Many tell us they don’t feel equal to their peers. When children feel able to speak, everything begins to shift.
“Children don’t always have the words for what they’ve lived through. Our job is to give them a place where their voice is valued, their feelings are understood, and their future can grow brighter one step at a time.”
A Right to Dignity — Stories From Our Work in Swansea
Real change happens in quiet moments — in homes, in schools, and in the community. We see it every week.
A boy bullied because his family couldn’t afford the basics.
During our first site visit with POBL, we learned about a family with several children. One boy was being bullied for his shoes and clothing. His dad works three jobs, yet still struggles to make ends meet.
We put together clothing, several pairs of shoes, football boots, and even a ball so he could join in with other children. When the items were delivered, his dad broke down in tears.
That moment said everything about the pressure families are under… and how something as simple as new shoes can change a child’s sense of belonging.
Hundreds of children without school bags — until the community stepped in.
After receiving a large donation of Amazon bags at Cwtch Mawr Multibank, we reached out to local schools. Within hours, one school claimed the entire batch. Children were arriving with no bags or with ones too damaged to use. Families simply couldn’t replace them.
Those backpacks meant more than storage. They meant dignity. They meant a child walking into class ready to learn.
Back to School with a Cwtch — 1,000 Children Supported
This summer, Back to School with a Cwtch welcomed nearly 1,500 people across events in Bonymaen, Clase, and Teilo’s Community Cwtch in Portmead.
Nearly 1,000 children walked away with brand-new backpacks filled with school supplies they otherwise wouldn’t have had. These weren’t handouts; they were a message:
“You belong. You matter. You’re ready.”
Families told us the difference was immediate. Children felt equal to their classmates. Parents could breathe again. And schools noticed the positive shift.
Summer of Fun — Because Play Is a Right
Children have a right to joy. A right to play. A right to friendships and memories. Thanks to COAST and Summer Holiday Funding, we created a summer full of connection, fun, and support.
Across Swansea, 3,335 attendances were recorded at play schemes, fun days, park events, beach trips, cinema outings, laser tag, bowling, Playzone — and even two coachloads of families heading to Folly Farm for a day they’ll never forget.
Summer shouldn’t be a time of worry. It should be a time to grow, explore, and laugh. This programme made that possible.
Fighting Holiday Hunger — Because No Child Should Go Without
When school closes, free school meals stop. Because of this, families often face impossible choices.
We stepped in quickly with:
• £6,900 in food vouchers
• 108 Meals in a Bag kits with recipes and budgeting guides
These weren’t just meals. They were relief. They were family time. They were children beginning the new school term nourished, calmer, and ready to learn.
Children’s Rights in Swansea — More Than Words
Protecting children’s rights in Swansea means taking action. It means seeing families who work hard but still can’t meet basic needs. It means listening to children who feel forgotten. It means fighting for opportunities that every child deserves.
“World Children’s Day reminds us that rights don’t protect themselves. People do. Here in Swansea, we stand with children — listening to their stories, protecting their dignity, and creating the opportunities every child deserves.”
How You Can Stand Up for Swansea’s Children
Children thrive when communities show up for them.
Here’s how you can help today:
• Donate — help families access essentials and support
• Volunteer — support our Community Cwtches or Cwtch Mawr
• Fundraise — bring your workplace, school, or group together
• Partner with us — join our network of local businesses creating change
• Share this story — amplify the voices of Swansea’s children
