Cardiff Third Sector Council (C3SC) continues to play an important role in ensuring that the knowledge, experience, and concerns of voluntary and community organisations are heard in formal consultations. Working as a facilitator, C3SC actively brings members together, to gather collective insight, and help ensure that the voices of communities including those less often represented in formal engagement are carried into strategic discussions.
In recent months, this role has seen us answer to the Neurodivergent (ND) Friendly Cardiff Strategy and the Draft Dementia Strategy for Wales 2026–2036.
Neurodivergent (ND) Friendly Cardiff Strategy
We are pleased to confirm that several themes raised by C3SC members were reflected in the final strategy, including:
- A stronger emphasis on supporting people to “live well and thrive”
- Clearer monitoring arrangements
- Recognition of accessibility in relation to language and culture
- Communication that reflects Cardiff’s diverse communities
Importantly, the final strategy also recognised the need for stronger third sector involvement, giving C3SC a clear role in coordinating sector action, gathering evidence from across voluntary and community organisations, supporting groups to develop and secure funding, and advocating with statutory partners. This shows the sector’s contribution being recognised not only in principle, but in the practical arrangements for taking work forward. C3SC will be keen to monitor the progress of this strategy alongside third sector organisations and partners to support a Neurodivergent Friendly Cardiff and would like to thank all members who contributed to our collective response.
Draft Dementia Strategy for Wales 2026-2036
C3SC’s collective response to the Draft Dementia Strategy for Wales was submitted to both the Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership Board and Welsh Government. Welsh Government is currently reviewing the consultation responses and has not yet published the final Dementia Strategy.
However, many points raised by C3SC members were reflected in the C&V RPB’s collective response to the Welsh Government, including:
- The need for earlier, accessible, and culturally competent support
- Face-to-face and interpreter-supported communication
- Clearer diagnostic pathways
- Stronger post-diagnostic support
- Recognition of unpaid carers
- End-of-life and bereavement support
- The value of community-generated evidence
While the strategy remains in review, we would like to thank the C3SC members who contributed to this consultation response.
Every response submitted to consultations is you helping to shape future policies and services in Cardiff communities. For more opportunities to contribute and make a difference, don’t forget to explore further open consultations from Cardiff Council, the Senedd, and the Welsh Government.
AI Statement: This document was prepared with the support of M365 Copilot.
