One-third of children in Wales are affected by poverty. Through our innovative programmes and campaigning work, we're giving children the support they need to grow, develop and learn.
WHAT WE DO IN WALES
Save the Children has been working in Wales since the 1930s. Today, we are still working alongside communities to ensure that every child can thrive.
WORKING WITH FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
To ensure children get the best start in life, we work with families across Wales, alongide education, health and social care partners to deliver a range of programmes and support communities.
OUR CAMPAIGNING WORK
The early years are a critical stage in children's development.
But right now, too many children in Wales are falling behind before they even start school. And it's those growing up in poverty who are most affected.
That's why we're asking the Welsh Government to take action and invest in better support for parents, and to make sure early years staff can deliver world-class early learning and childcare.
"Listen to us more." A Manifesto for Children: 2026 Senedd Election
Child poverty is not inevitable, it is the result of choices. The 2026 Senedd election is a moment to make different ones. It’s a chance to show that Wales puts children first.
This manifesto, based on the calls of children to #ListenToUsMore, lays out what the next Welsh Government must do to give children in Wales the future they deserve.
Climate Emergency Pupil Voice Activity for Schools
Help shape future government responses to climate emergencies by ensuring children's voices are heard.
Save the Children UK, in partnership with Admiral Group, is inviting schools across Wales to take part in a one-hour pupil voice activity exploring climate change and domestic emergencies such as flooding, storms and heatwaves.
Schools can choose to involve whole classes or groups such as Eco Councils, nurture groups or young carers. Toolkits are available for three age ranges:
Ages 5–6
Ages 7–11
Ages 12–17
The activities explore:
What families need before, during and after emergencies
What helps children and young people feel safe and supported
As a thank you, schools that complete and return a toolkit will receive £100 (either as a voucher or via invoice).
All participating schools will be acknowledged in the published research and will receive a copy of the final report.
Download the appropriate toolkit below to get started. Full guidance is included within each resource.
OUR REPORTS
- Starting Strong / Dechrau'n Gryf: Supporting families experiencing poverty through the early years transition phase. See also our Parents' / Rhieni reports and Children's / Plant reports.
- Pause to Play / Hoe am Hwyl: Demonstrating the difference that can be made if we alleviate an immediate financial crisis in a family home and provide a period of sustained support for families around their child’s early learning.
- From Covid to Cost of Living / O Covid-19 i Gostau Byw: 18 months of providing early years grants to families in Wales.
- Ukraine One Year On / Cymorth i blant a theuluoedd o Wcráin: Support for children and families in Ukraine.
- A Century in Wales / Canrif yng Nghymru: A century of change for children in Wales.
Power of Voice
The Power of Voice research project is one way in which we're seeking to listen to children and young people in Wales. We're especially interested in the views of children and young people who live in communities where there are higher levels of poverty.
Over 13 months from November 2023 to December 2024, we embarked on a research project where we listened to children and young people about their experiences of living in these communities and the ways in which poverty affects them. We spoke to them about their hopes and aspirations for the future and the things that they thought would help or hinder them in achieving those aspirations. Finally, we asked them about their ideas for change.
Read the full report, view our interactive report, and watch the fantastic animation created and voiced by the young people to share the findings.
Y GYMRAEG A NI / THE WELSH LANGUAGE AND US
FIND OUT MORE
For more information about our work in Wales, please contact [email protected] or call us on 029 20 396838.
