Charities, community groups, not-for-profits and volunteers will be honoured on Monday, as part of this year’s Welsh Charity Awards at National Museum Cardiff, which coincides on the first day of Welsh Charities Week.

Flying the flag for Pembrokeshire are three organisations: Milford Haven’s Megan’s Starr Foundation and Milford Youth Matters, and Narberth’s SPAN Arts.

Organised by WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action), the Welsh Charity Awards is the only dedicated awards ceremony to celebrate the entire voluntary sector in Wales.

Megan’s Starr Foundation, whose founder - Nicola Harteveld - won Volunteer of the Year last year, is nominated for the Health and Wellbeing category, which is sponsored by Leaderful Action. The charity transforms the lives of young people in Pembrokeshire who face mental health challenges; providing a safe space for free counselling, peer support, skill-building programmes, and building a more resilient community.

The whole team told WCVA: “This nomination is a tremendous honour that celebrates the heart and soul of our work. Each young person, every volunteer, and every family member who finds hope and belonging at Megan’s Starr is part of this incredible journey.

“Winning would be a powerful testament to the resilience of our community and the limitless impact of kindness. It would inspire us to dream bigger, to support more, and to build an even stronger, more compassionate future together.”

Milford Youth Matters is up for Fundraiser of the Year, which is co-sponsored by Thomas Carroll & Zurich Municipal. The fundraising team, comprising seven dedicated young individuals aged 15 years, has consistently raised around £10,000 annually through events like a charity golf day, while reshaping community perceptions of young people in Milford Haven.

Milford Youth Matters spokesperson said: “This nomination is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work, commitment and determination of the Milford Youth Matters Fundraising Team.

“Over the last few years, the team have been dedicated to the organisation and raising funds to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth in order to benefit young people and our whole community.

“The skills they have developed along the way have aided them with raising the belief in their own ability and supported them to reach their full potential. We are extremely proud of them, their effort and their dedication.”

SPAN Arts Ltd, based in Narberth, brings accessible co-created arts and cultural experiences to West Wales through a bilingual programme that celebrates community identity, inclusivity, and accessibility, supported by Welsh-speaking staff, artists, and board members.

Span Arts is nominated for its use of the Welsh language, an award sponsored by Mentrau Iaith. Commenting on the nomination, director Bethan Touhig-Gamble said: ‘SPAN is based in an incredible bilingual county, where the Welsh language is part of the shared culture and identity. We work with diverse Welsh-speaking artists to tell contemporary Welsh stories and celebrate the language as part of our programme.

‘To have the work of our volunteers, Trustees, staff and creatives recognised through this award would be truly rewarding.’

Speaking ahead of this year’s ceremony at National Museum Cardiff, WCVA’s Chief Executive Lindsay Cordery-Bruce said: ‘We’re delighted to have had a record number of nominations this year – 239 in total. That’s testimony to the quality work undertaken by volunteers, community groups and charities the length and breadth of our country. I couldn’t be more excited to meet them on 25 November at National Museum Cardiff – and find out who’s scooped the top awards.’

The Welsh Charity Awards celebrate just some of the amazing stories of the difference made by charities and volunteers across Wales. For the full list of finalists, visit the Welsh Charity Awards website.