2026 Senedd Elections YMCA Manifesto Launch

Published by Richard Williams

YMCAs from across Wales came together at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday February 2026 to launch the 2026 YMCA Manifesto for the forthcoming Welsh elections.

The event was attended by both Senedd Members, supporters, agency partners, board members, Young People and staff from across Wales and was both a celebration of our work, and a challenge for the future Government, whatever its colour.

The day was marked by speeches from the event sponsor David Rees MS, Denise Hatton (CEO YMCA England & Wales), Jane Hutt MS (Minister for Social Justice and Trefnydd), Abbie Weir (a Youth Worker from YMCA Cardiff) and Richard Williams (YMCA Swansea and current leader of the Welsh Group).

Around the speeches, teams from across the YMCA federation in Wales were able to learn about and be inspired by each others work, along with meeting with representatives from YMCA England & Wales who co-ordinated the event. Richard said from stage “The manifesto being launched today focusses on housing and youth work. To key priorities in which we have a proven track record of impact and a desire to do more. Much more.”