Empowering the voices of adoption: Adoption UK Cymru awarded major Volunteering Wales Grant

We are delighted to announce that Adoption UK Cymru has been awarded a Volunteering Wales Main Grant of nearly £60,000 to launch our transformative two-year Volunteer Development project. 

Funded by the Welsh Government and administered by WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action), this grant represents a significant investment in the people who make our work possible, our volunteers. 

Investing in our community 

Our volunteers are the heart of our support network. They are adoptive parents and care experienced young people who use their own lived experiences to provide vital peer support and guidance to others navigating their adoption journeys. 

This new project, running from February 2026 to February 2028, is designed to ensure that every volunteer in Wales feels supported, valued, and empowered. By modernising and strengthening the volunteer journey, we will make volunteering more accessible and inclusive while enhancing their overall experience.  

This investment also helps us build a more connected adoption community across Wales, where contributions are recognised and every volunteer can make a lasting impact. 

Our project goals 

With this funding, we will deliver a comprehensive programme of improvements, including: 

• Enhanced Support: Providing dedicated capacity for one-to-one support to help volunteers thrive in their roles. 

• Removing Barriers: Identifying and eliminating obstacles to ensure that volunteering is open to all parts of the adoption community across Wales. 

• Training & Recognition: Developing high-quality training opportunities and formal recognition for the incredible contribution our volunteers make. 

• Achieving Excellence: Following our recent achievement of Investing in Volunteers accreditation (subject to conditions), we will continue our journey by embedding the framework’s principles throughout all areas of our work. 

A word from Adoption UK Cymru 

Mandy Rowsell, Head of Wales Services at Adoption UK, expressed her gratitude for the award: 

"Our volunteers provide a unique and essential service to adoptive families and care experienced young people. This funding from the Welsh Government and WCVA allows us to give back to them by investing in their development, ensuring they have the tools and support they need to continue making a life-changing difference across Wales."