Last night, something rather wonderful happened.
Faith in Families stood proudly among the final three for Fundraiser of the Year at the Welsh Charity Awards 2026.
THREE finalists. Across the whole of Wales. And we were one of them!
But as we looked around a room filled with extraordinary people doing extraordinary things, we realised something.
We already felt like winners.
Because this recognition isn’t about one person, one fundraising event or one incredible achievement.
It’s about every single person who has ever believed that, together, we can change someone’s life.
And goodness, what a community we have behind us.
From asking for help to helping others
Perhaps the most powerful part of our evening wasn’t the awards ceremony itself.
It was who we shared it with.
Two incredible women joined us in Cardiff. Their journeys with Faith in Families began when they walked through the doors of Teilo’s Community Cwtch looking for support.
Since then, they’ve become part of our community in ways they might never have imagined.
From parent and toddler groups to learning opportunities through Inspiring Futures. From building confidence and friendships to volunteering their time. And now, fundraising to help others in their community.
Two women who first came to us for support were now sitting beside us at a national awards ceremony, celebrating everything we’ve achieved together.
Just think about that for a moment.
They are no longer simply receiving support. They’re creating opportunities, building connections and helping others feel that same sense of belonging.
Their journeys haven’t just changed their own lives. They’re helping to change other people’s lives, too.
And that is why we do what we do.
The Welsh Charity Awards 2026 recognition belongs to YOU
To the people who have climbed mountains and trekked across deserts.
To those who have run marathons, cycled hundreds of miles and pushed their bodies further than they ever thought possible.
To the nannas baking cakes, the businesses throwing themselves into muddy challenges and everyone who’s crossed a colour run finish line covered head to toe in paint.
To the children who remind us that kindness has no age limit.
Children like Ollie, who, at just eight years old, has already raised more than £6,000 over three years.
Imagine having that much determination to make a difference before you’ve even reached your ninth birthday!
And let’s not forget the people who quietly give what they can.
The £5 donations. The raffle tickets. The collection tins. The shared social media posts. The volunteers who turn up, roll up their sleeves and simply ask, “What can I do?”
You might not think your contribution is extraordinary.
But to someone whose life it helps change, it absolutely is.
Because behind every donation, there's a person
Fundraising isn’t just about raising money. It’s about what that money makes possible.
It’s a child finding the courage to talk about their feelings after experiencing trauma.
It’s a parent walking into a Community Cwtch feeling overwhelmed and discovering somewhere they belong.
It’s someone who only had a kettle to cook with receiving an air fryer.
It’s essential items reaching people who’ve lost everything in a house fire.
It’s a young person discovering their confidence, or an adult taking their first steps back into learning.
Through our Community Cwtches, Brighter Futures, Inspiring Futures and Cwtch Mawr Multibank, we see these moments every day.
Some are enormous. Others seem small.
But when you’re the person experiencing them, they can mean absolutely everything.
We don’t just help people through difficult times. We stand beside them as they discover what comes next.
And none of this happens without the people who make our work possible.
Five people at the awards. Thousands behind us.
At the Welsh Charity Awards 2026, five of us represented Faith in Families.
But we carried so many people with us.
Every member of staff who goes above and beyond, often witnessing the hardest moments in people’s lives.
Every trustee who believes in our vision.
Every volunteer who gives their time.
Every business that chooses to support its community. Every funder, donor and partner who helps turn compassion into action.
And every person who has ever walked through our doors, trusted us with their story and reminded us why this work matters.
We were surrounded by some of Wales’s most inspiring charities and fundraisers. Being recognised alongside them was an incredible honour.
Because we know the dedication, determination and love that goes into making a difference.
This finalist recognition belongs to all of us.
For every life changed, and every life yet to change
The most exciting part of the Welsh Charity Awards 2026 recognition?
Our story is far from finished.
Somewhere, there’s a child who hasn’t yet found the confidence to speak.
A parent who doesn’t yet know that a Community Cwtch exists.
Someone facing poverty, crisis or trauma who hasn’t yet discovered that people are ready to stand beside them.
And perhaps, one day, someone who walks through our doors looking for help will find themselves sitting at an awards ceremony, proudly giving back to their community.
Just like our two incredible ladies.
That is the power of belonging. That is the power of community. That is Faith in Families.
So, from every child, parent and individual we’ve supported, everyone we’re supporting today and all those we’ve yet to meet…
THANK YOU.
For every mountain climbed, every cake baked, every muddy trainer, every donation and every moment of kindness.
You are the reason we can keep showing up.
We went to Cardiff as finalists in the Welsh Charity Awards 2026.
We came home feeling like winners.
And the biggest prize of all?
Knowing that together, we’re changing lives.
One person. One cwtch. One act of kindness at a time.
Hugs Not Handouts. Always.
