“Young people are the future of volunteering – but they are also the now.” That was the message from Lowri Williams, Wales Youth Lead for ScoutsCymru, as she took part in the panel discussion at the launch of the new Volunteering Vision for Wales.
The event, hosted by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) at Cardiff City Stadium on 2 July, brought together leaders, volunteers, and policymakers to shape a bold new direction for volunteering across Wales.
Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, Chief Executive of WCVA, opened the event by declaring that “volunteering can save the world” – while Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd, and Chief Whip emphasised that “there is not a person in Wales who hasn’t been impacted in some way by volunteers.”
Representing the voice of young people, Lowri highlighted the crucial role that youth play in the voluntary sector today – not just as future leaders, but as active change-makers in the present.
“Yes, young people are the future of volunteering but we’re also the now”
“Volunteering isn’t just an activity for us – it’s part of who we are. We grow up surrounded by role models, we see the value of giving back, and we choose to be part of it. We’re often told we’re the future – but we’re already here. We’re volunteering now. The challenge is making sure the systems and support reflect that reality.”
Launching the new approach to volunteering:
Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Chair of Sport Wales
Anthony Head, Leader of Torfaen Local Authority
Nick Speed, BT’s Head of Nations
Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, WCVA Chief Executive
Mark Simms, Charity Commission Interim Chair
Lowri Williams, Wales Youth Lead, ScoutsCymru
Lowri stressed the importance of youth voice being embedded in decision-making from the outset – not as an afterthought. In her final comment on the panel, Lowri emphasised this by saying:
“My commitment to the Volunteering Vision is to make sure young people are in the room where it happens. I’ll keep working to make sure young people shape volunteering, not just take part in it. That means ensuring this Vision is something we co-create – in every community and every conversation.”
The Volunteering Vision for Wales, developed by WCVA and partners, sets out to ensure volunteering is recognised, accessible, and inclusive – reflecting the changing lives of people across Wales and the kind of country we want to build together.
