Written by Future Generations Wales
Today, people making a positive difference to Wales’ present and future were spotlighted by the first Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe, as she came to the end of her seven-year term.
The Future Generations Changemaker 100 list featured poets, public sector workers, activists, influencers, businesses, schools and volunteers who had helped to embed the well-being goals across Wales.
Sophie Howe said: “Wales’ well-being legislation puts an obligation on public bodies to act outside of the status quo, but there are also thousands of people making positive change every day.
“This event is about recognising just some of the people demonstrating what happens when we put well-being first, work together and consider the long-term implications of our actions, and highlights the need to support changemakers so that they can improve society for everyone.
“The Future Generations Changemaker 100 is merely a snapshot of Wales’ brilliant changemakers, and we want others to share the people who inspire them, and keep the momentum going for now and for future generations.”
It’s encouraging to see many organisations and individuals from North Wales being recognised, including Alwen Williams, Portfolio Director for Ambition North Wales, for her contribution to the aspirations of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, both during her time in business when the Act was passed, but importantly in her current role leading the North Wales Growth Deal.
"I'm honoured to be included in the Future Generations Changemaker list; it's a great privilege to be recognised alongside all these inspirational people. We are all part of a much wider network of people who strongly believe in working differently as we shape the future. ".
"The list connects like-minded people and enables more conversations and new possibilities in how we approach and respond to the world's most complex challenges in order to create a future we can be proud of for the generations behind us”.
"I'd like to thank Sophie for her leadership and infectious passion over the past seven years and welcome Derek Walker as the new Future Generations Commissioner."
For the full list: https://www.futuregenerations.wales/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Changemaker-100.pdf
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North Wales Changemakers:
- Sian Brierley Activity Co-ordinator, National Exercise Referral Scheme at Wrexham County Borough Council and Public Health Wales, who helps clients make lifestyle changes to improve their well-being.
- Cricieth Town Council is responsible for many activities to improve the area and footfall, including hosting community events and heritage interpretation panels.
- The Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog team facilitate cooperation between community businesses and enterprises that employ some 150 people locally, offering people who want to stay in their community career opportunities.
- Meleri Davies and Partneriaeth Ogwen, based in Gwynedd, develop community, economic and environmental regeneration projects, including the community hydro scheme and Dyffryn Gwyrdd.
- Dr Tom Downs, Dr Stacey Harris and Dr Yasmina Hamdaoui at Ystybty Gwynedd challenge the healthcare system to reduce waste emissions and have started a network of climate-smart green healthcare groups across Wales.
- Samantha Egelstaff, Llanrwst Flood Action Group, co-founded the group following the major flooding event of Storm Ciara 2020, by co-ordinating community members into teams, including volunteer flood wardens, sandbag provision, community clean-up, donation distribution, warm space and hot food provision and advised on temporary accommodation and repair.
- Helen Goddard, Head of Culture, Libraries and Information at Conwy Borough Council, ensures that well-being is reflected in the Council's approach and decisions, emphasising the importance of reducing regional inequalities and celebrating heritage and culture.
- Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director at Menter Môn, has driven projects focusing on culture and language, farming, supporting the vulnerable and the more recent development of the Morlais tidal scheme.
- Bill Hunt, Vice Chair of the Cartrefi Conwy Board and Chair of the Tenant Services Board, Cartrefi Conwy, has been a tenant voice on several of the Association's regeneration projects, which embody the well-being goals.
- Dr Salamatu Jidda-Fada, Founder and Director of North Wales Africa Society, support Africans living in North Wales to access housing, transport, healthcare, and education services for ethnic minority children, students and professionals.
- Chris Roberts, Co-founder of North Wales Dragons Community Football, engages a diverse range of people and is framed by the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the United Nation's sustainable goals.
- Nina Ruddle, Head of Policy Engagement at Wrexham Glyndŵr University and North Wales Insight and Research Partnership, leads the Civic Mission for the University and has been pivotal in developing cross-sectoral partnerships and collaborations to bring about social change.
- Wil Stewart, Warden at Isle of Anglesey County Council, leads walks prescribed by health services in North Wales, providing natural therapy and aiming to give people emotional, mental and physical benefits of connecting with nature and improving their health.
- Together Creating Communities, are an alliance of faith organisations, community groups and schools from north-west Wales. They tackle social injustice by supporting diverse communities to gain the power they need to enact change
- Wrexham Well-being Hub, a collaboration between Wrexham County Borough Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham. It offers the local community health and social care in one place – bringing community and statutory services together to meet the needs of local people.