16/06/2026
Sarah Murphy, Minister of Mental Health and Wellbeing, is addressed and Matt Lister of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum explains where current funding comes from. We also discuss how to attract a potentially wider range of investors. We are working together as a team.
KINDLING HUMANITY: STORIES OF GROWTH
A COMMUNITY WELLBEING, PARTICIPATION AND PREVENTION INITIATIVE FOR WALES π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
OUR VISION
Kindling Humanity seeks to strengthen community connection, participation, belonging and wellbeing across Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ through nature-based health, social prescribing, community engagement, volunteering, education, intergenerational learning and community storytelling.
Our vision is to help create a Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ where people feel connected to one another, connected to place, connected to nature and connected to community.
By bringing together individuals, communities, organisations, practitioners, volunteers, researchers, students and people with lived experience, we seek to contribute to a healthier, more resilient and more connected nation.
WALES π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ AS A WORLD LEADER
Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ has established itself as an international leader through the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
These pioneering pieces of legislation place prevention, participation, collaboration, involvement, wellbeing and long-term thinking at the heart of public life.
They recognise that healthier communities are created both through services, and also through relationships, belonging, participation, culture, environment and shared responsibility.
Kindling Humanity seeks to support and amplify these ambitions by helping communities, organisations and citizens participate in a collective movement towards prevention, wellbeing, inclusion and community resilience.
OUR PURPOSE
Our purpose is to strengthen the social fabric of Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ by creating opportunities for people to participate, contribute, learn, connect and belong.
We support:
β’ Community connection and belonging
β’ Nature-based wellbeing and outdoor health
β’ Prevention and early intervention
β’ Social prescribing and community support
β’ Volunteering and civic participation
β’ Student learning and skills development
β’ Neurodivergent inclusion and accessibility
β’ Community leadership and co-production
β’ Intergenerational learning and knowledge exchange
β’ Long-term community resilience
WHAT WE WILL DO
Kindling Humanity will work with communities and partners across Wales to:
β’ Facilitate community wellbeing activities in natural environments
β’ Support participation in outdoor health and nature-based wellbeing initiatives
β’ Create opportunities for volunteering and community leadership
β’ Engage students in community learning, practical experience and skills development
β’ Strengthen relationships between organisations working in health, wellbeing and community development
β’ Promote participation in social prescribing and preventative wellbeing initiatives
β’ Create opportunities for dialogue, reflection and shared learning
β’ Increase awareness of community wellbeing opportunities
β’ Build connections between local initiatives, regional partnerships and national conversations
β’ Support the sharing of knowledge, experience and good practice across communities
LEGISLATIVE ALIGNMENT
Kindling Humanity directly contributes to the aspirations of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act by supporting:
β’ A Healthier Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
β’ A More Equal Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
β’ A Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ of Cohesive Communities
β’ A Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ of Vibrant Culture and Thriving Welsh π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ Language
β’ A Resilient Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
β’ A Prosperous Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
The project also reflects the principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act through:
β’ Prevention
β’ Early intervention
β’ Voice and control
β’ Participation
β’ Collaboration
β’ Co-production
β’ Community-based support
These Acts provide a framework for creating healthier and more connected communities. Kindling Humanity seeks to help bring these principles to life through practical community participation and engagement.
INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING AND WELSH π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ LEGACY
Kindling Humanity creates opportunities for people of different generations, backgrounds and life experiences to learn from one another.
The project recognises that Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ possesses a rich legacy of community knowledge, local wisdom, cultural identity, environmental stewardship and lived experience.
Through participation, dialogue and shared experience, generations of elder wisdom keepers are able to pass on knowledge, stories, values and understanding, while younger generations contribute creativity, enthusiastic energy, digital skills and fresh perspectives.
This exchange strengthens communities, builds relationships and helps preserve the cultural heritage and community wisdom of Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ for future generations.
The project embraces the Welsh π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ concepts of community, belonging, Hieraeth, Cynefin and long-term stewardship of place.
COMMUNITY STORYTELLING AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Kindling Humanity uses narrative storytelling, photography, presenting and filmmaking to amplify community voices and strengthen participation.
Participants, volunteers, students and community members will have opportunities to develop skills in communication, interviewing, storytelling, photography, filmmaking and digital media.
These activities support:
β’ Community participation
β’ Volunteer development
β’ Student learning
β’ Confidence building
β’ Skills development
β’ Intergenerational learning
β’ Cultural preservation
β’ Community engagement
β’ Public awareness
Through documenting stories, projects, initiatives and lived experiences, the project helps create a living archive of the people, communities and organisations contributing to wellbeing across Wales.
PARTNERSHIP AND LEARNING
Kindling Humanity seeks to bring together community organisations, practitioners, volunteers, educational institutions and people with lived experience to strengthen collaboration and shared learning.
Partners such as the University of Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ Trinity Saint David may contribute research, evaluation, student engagement and knowledge exchange, helping to strengthen understanding of effective approaches to wellbeing, participation and community resilience.
By connecting academic learning, lived experience and community practice, the project contributes to a growing body of knowledge that can support future community development across Wales.
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES
The outcomes we seek are:
β’ Stronger communities
β’ Improved wellbeing
β’ Increased participation
β’ Reduced isolation
β’ Greater belonging
β’ Increased confidence
β’ Volunteer development
β’ Student learning opportunities
β’ Improved access to nature-based wellbeing
β’ Stronger community relationships
β’ Greater community resilience
β’ Enhanced collaboration across sectors
β’ Increased community leadership
β’ Greater understanding between generations
OUR AMBITION
Our ambition is to contribute to Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ becoming the leading nation within the British Isles for the integration of community wellbeing, nature-based health, social prescribing, prevention, participation and community resilience.
By connecting people, organisations and communities around a shared vision, Kindling Humanity seeks to support a future where wellbeing, belonging, participation and community connection are woven into everyday life.
The outcomes are stronger communities, improved wellbeing, participation and belonging.
The method is community engagement, volunteering, intergenerational learning, storytelling, partnership and action.
The legacy is a healthier, prosperous and more connected Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ for current and future generations.
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