The Difference Community and Town Councils Are Making Across Wales
A new independent Social Impact Assessment, commissioned by One Voice Wales and carried out by Wavehill, has measured the contribution Community and Town Councils are making to communities across Wales. The findings show that small, local interventions are generating significant social value, often delivered with very few staff and modest budgets.
£25.97 million
of social value created for communities across Wales
£4.86
of value created for every £1 councils invested
237 councils
contributed to the evidence base
169,200+
volunteer hours, local people supporting their communities
187,000+
meals provided through council-led activity
£675,000+
unlocked for residents through benefits advice
These figures reflect the activity reported by the 237 councils who took part. The true picture across Wales is likely to be significantly higher.
What the assessment shows
Community and Town Councils are stepping up to support residents through the cost-of-living period, often with very few staff and modest budgets.
The evidence shows Councils contributing across a wide range of areas:
- Supporting vulnerable residents
- Tackling isolation and loneliness
- Strengthening community wellbeing and resilience
- Enabling local volunteering and community participation
- Improving access to local support and activities
- Supporting preventative and early intervention approaches
- Responding flexibly to local need during periods of pressure and change
What stands out is the unique position Community and Town Councils hold within communities: highly local organisations with trusted relationships, detailed local knowledge, and the ability to convene practical, place-based responses.
What councils told us
Through the assessment, Councils told us about both the impact they are having and the challenges they face. Key themes that emerged:
- Capacity is the biggest barrier. 60% of Councils have just one member of staff, working an average of 8 hours a week.
- Grant writing is a particular challenge, especially for smaller Councils.
- Guidance designed for larger organisations doesn’t always work. Councils want examples and tools that fit their reality.
- Understanding local need is one of the biggest unanswered questions for Councils starting new activity.
- Partnership working is key to the most effective activity, with CVCs, housing associations, food banks, Citizens Advice and other third sector organisations.
How One Voice Wales is responding
Phase 2 of the Cost of Living Crisis Project, now live and running through to March 2027, builds directly on what councils told us. It includes:
- A £30,000 small grants scheme, designed for first steps and tailored for smaller councils, with one-to-one grant writing support available
- Bi-monthly webinars and themed online clinics on areas that matter most to councils
- New guides covering community engagement, partnership working, community food, and fuel poverty
- A new Council Data Group helping build the ongoing evidence base
- Delivery Enablement Pilots for councils already running established activity who want to take it further
- Ongoing funding alerts, case studies and peer learning
Download the materials
Available in English and Welsh.
- The Full Wavehill Social Impact Assessment report (PDF)
- Council briefing: a short overview for councils, members and communities (Flipbook)
- Executive summary: 1-page policy briefing (PDF)
- Headline findings infographic (PDF)
- Statement from Lyn Cadwallader – CEO (PDF)
Get in touch
If you have questions about the findings, want to discuss what they mean for your council, get in touch with the Cost of Living Crisis Project team.
Email: [email protected]
Join the Conversation: Cost of Living Crisis – Facebook Group